So let's say the Jays punt on the season and trade a few starters (Kuch, Gasman, Bassett). Why not get creative and start stretching Richards out as starter? The Marco Estrada method. Give Pete Walker something to do.
Just the fact that Satchel Paige could enter the league in his 40's and be competitive is indicative of the reality that the Negro leagues were at a level on par with the majors. Of course organization and training and practice methods were far behind but that was a function of socio economic factors which we need not get into here.