McGowan slips further into Jays' netherworld

Of all the issues a major-league team can face, nothing cuts to its core more than trying to make a call on the eternal prospect, the can't-miss guy with can't-miss stuff who has missed.

A guy like the Toronto Blue Jays' Dustin McGowan.

There really is no other way to describe where he is right now. Seven years after the Gord Ash regime drafted him 33rd overall and three years removed from Tommy John surgery, McGowan is closer to making an impact on the organization as a trading chip than on the field.

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Extra option for McGowan

Dustin McGowan still figures into the Blue Jays' plans. As has been the case for the past few seasons, though, the question remains: How soon?

Thanks to some leeway granted by the league, the Blue Jays can afford to practice some more patience with the 24-year-old pitching prospect. Toronto was allowed a fourth option year for McGowan, which means it can send the right-hander to the Minors without exposing him to waivers.

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