Clubhouse drama could push Blue Jays starter onto trade block

Lauer already made his feelings clear when he pushed back on pitching behind an opener, saying he hated it and framing the decision as one made above his pay grade. Schneider answered by reminding everyone that role decisions belong to the staff.

That exchange mattered because Toronto's rotation squeeze is no longer theoretical. Trey Yesavage is is now back in the rotation which has pushed Lauer into the bullpen, a spot he wants no part in.

The Blue Jays will have to sort through a staff that already includes Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease. That leaves very little room for a starter who wants a fixed lane.

Lauer's profile makes the decision even sharper. MLB.com wrote in spring that he could still be valuable either starting or relieving, but his own preference has always leaned toward staying in the rotation.

That is where the latest drama starts to matter beyond one postgame quote. If Lauer does not want to slide back into a swing role, Toronto may have to decide whether keeping him is worth the noise.

Lauer is now back in the bullpen but it might not take very long for him to get fed up as he has already made it clear he wants to start. He has done that job before, and MLB.com's spring outlook made clear the club always viewed him as someone who could cover innings in more than one role.

But simple does not always mean clean. A pitcher who has openly argued for starts is not an easy fit for a staff about to get younger and healthier around him.

That is why a trade starts making some sense. A team looking for left-handed rotation depth could still see value in Lauer, especially if Toronto sells him as a stretched-out arm rather than a spare reliever.

The Blue Jays now has Yesavage back and Berrios close to returning which means that unless another injury comes up, Lauer will be in the bullpen.

None of this means Toronto has to move Lauer. It does mean the club is getting close to a point where keeping an unhappy starter in a crowded staff may be harder than dealing him.

And now that Lauer is officially back, it won't take very long for him to voice his opinion once again which can create even more internal problems.