One less-than-stellar outing was it for Corey Thurman -- as expected, though he made the decision extremely difficult, he was optioned to Syracuse today to begin his conversion back to starting. He walked the first two hitters on eight pitches yesterday.

Linton has worked his way back into the mix, and Lopez now seems automatic. I think Justin Miller's readiness is the only remaining question among the pitching staff, except for the 11 vs. 12 decision. That would have a direct influence on the bench, allowing Huckaby a reprieve or the luxury of 5 outfielders, at least temporarily.

The scenario with Huck and Myers in a platoon, with Wilson playing somewhere against LH starters and serving as third C, might be Tosca's choice, and Roy Halladay's, and I know it's a popular theory around here. But I think J.P. and his advisors are against it; with a week to go before they head north, it's still not resolved, and I wish I could sit in on the meetings. My initial prediction of Huckaby being released on the last day of camp assumed a healthy Jayson Werth, so my official, inflexible stance now is youneverknow.

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I still think Wilson is more likely to be released than Huck. Again, I'd put even money on Huck being the opening day C.

If JP could only get a decent prospect for Escobar, we wouldn't have to worry about this at all.

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I still think Wilson is more likely to be released than Huck. Again, I'd put even money on Huck being the opening day C.

If JP could only get a decent prospect for Escobar, we wouldn't have to worry about this at all.

As the cuts become more numerous in the big-league camp, we're starting to get a better sense of what the Jays' minor-league teams will look like. Fans of the Syracuse Skychiefs, for one, are going to see a very different squad this year, especially in the starting rotation. Here are the leaders in Games Started for the Skychiefs last year, along with their '03 status in parentheses):

Brian Cooper -- 25 (released)
Pasqual Coco -- 23 (released)
Mike Smith -- 20 (bullpen)
Chris Baker -- 15 (unknown)
Mark Hendrickson -- 14 (Toronto)
Brandon Lyon -- 14 (released)

The 2003 rotation is likely to look something like this on Opening Day:

Jason Arnold
Corey Thurman
Justin Miller
Josh Towers
Evan Thomas

with these guys candidates for the bullpen:

Mike Smith
Vinny Chulk
Brian Bowles
Scott Cassidy
Chris Baker
Jason Kershner
Tim Young
Scott Wiggins
Bob File (if and when healthy)

This will change over the course of weeks and months, naturally, and there are other names on the Syracuse roster to deal with: Chris Baker, Brian Cardwell, Cameron Reimers and so forth. But that's going to be a very strong staff no matter how it gets sliced down, and the International League is not going to enjoy facing the Chiefs this year.

Howarth and Wilner were discussing the merits of using Berg as the 4th outfielder (LF/RF and CF in the pinch) seeing as Ryan, Aven, and Colangelo have all been sub-par offensively this spring. That would allow the three "catchers" to make the team, and allow for a 12-man pitching staff, with Linton and Walker both in middle relief until April 13, at which point Walker will probably take on the #5 role. I know that Walker and Linton seem to be redundant, but Linton clearly deserves (by virtue of his latest spring outings, but especially his ting AAA stats) a chance at pitching on the big club.

Or as Richard Griffin stated in one of his recent columns:

There are plenty of candidates to fill in, even with Jayson Werth looking like he is out for a while. There are Rob Ryan, Mike Colangelo, Bruce Aven and Dewayne Wise. But, with Jays scouts fanning out across two states, the outfield answer is likely not even in camp yet.

Berg as the fourth OF is not the best idea defensively under any circumstances; he's willing enough, but is more like a #5 or emergency replacement. Dave should probably start somewhere vs. LH and get opportunities to pinch-hit. With Cat being less than 100% reliable, it's highly unlikely that they want to face three playoff-calibre teams for three weeks with Berg "playing" RF.

Miller's in Jordan's Syracuse rotation; I don't think he'll be there all year, but he's got competition down there now, and a promotion won't be automatic -- Thurman and Josh Towers will be trying for the same prize.

"A honey of a game" -- Howarth on Cory Lidle's six innings today. Josh Phelps just hit one over the CF wall -- AND the scoreboard! Then Hinske jacked his own monster shot on the next pitch. Bring on the Yankees!

Jason Lane in Houston looks like he might never get a chance to play. Even with Hidalgo nursing a groin injury he apparently has two people ahead of him including Orlando Merced. He's proven all he has to prove in the minors and he has enough high minor experience where he can step in and have an immediate impact. If he's cheap, he's an option.