With the injuries to the Jays pitching staff leaving Jays brass scrambling for replacements. The minor leagues have been pilfered, prospects yo-yo'ed and AAAA vets worked until their arms explode. The Jays' need for a multi-innings pitcher/swingman that can be relied upon to go 2-4IP on any given night and spot start is ever more apparent. Last year Carlos Villanueva handled the job admirably and buoyed that performance to a $10M deal this off-season. Could Brett Cecil, with his improved fastball and confidence, be the player to fill that role?
The Jays have other high leverage pitchers and situational lefties to work the back end of the pen. Yes, Cecil could offer Gibbons another shutdown option at the end of games but, IMO he offers more value by replacing innings of AAAA filler and retreads with quality work. Stretch him out, start letting him go 3 innings, in a couple months get up to 5 and get him some spot starts.