Some people may tell you that a strong starting rotation is the key to becoming a championship calibre team in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Think back to the rotations of ‘The Big Red Machine’ in 1975 and ’76 featuring pitchers such as Gary Nolan, Jack Billingham, Fred Norman, Don Gullett, Pat Darcy, Clay Kirby, Pat Zachry and Santo Alcala. These gentlemen earned 153 wins between them in those two seasons, losing only 78.

The Atlanta Braves assembled several scary rotations in the 90s that featured the likes of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery.

Last season, the starting five of both the San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers were major factors on their journeys to the 2012 World Series. Justin Verlander, Matt Cain, Max Scherzer and Madison Bumgarner were front and center, battling the offenses of opposing teams every fifth day.

A starting rotation that is strong one through five isn’t easy to come by and acquiring one can be pretty costly.

The Tampa Bay Rays suffered through several losing seasons to acquire the draft picks necessary to build their current rotation, which has been a major reason for their success.

Most recently, the Toronto Blue Jays traded away the majority of one of the best farm systems in baseball to acquire R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle. Add Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero’s names to the quintet and you have quite possibly the best rotation in MLB.

It was just two seasons ago that Romero put up a career best earned run average of 2.92, earned an All-Star nod and Cy Young award votes, but after struggling with his command last season, his stock plummeted.

It was revealed in October that Romero was pitching through soreness in his elbow during the season, which he kept hidden from the team.

Romero underwent arthroscopic surgery and will be ready for spring training, but he is now projected to be the team’s fifth starter according to MLB Depth Charts.

The move down the rotation’s depth chart could be a blessing in disguise for both Romero and the Jays.

Both former Jays’ catcher John Buck and current Jays’ catcher J.P. Arencibia have said that Romero has some of “the best stuff” they’ve ever caught.

With the pressure of being an ace off of his shoulders and his health up to par, Romero may be destined for a turn-around in 2013.

If he can return to form and start 32 games, throw 200+ innings, keep his walks down and his ERA in the mid three to four range, he could be the best number five in baseball.

Honourable mention goes to Nationals number five Ross Detwiler, who was impressive in the role last season, so much so that John Lannan and Chien-Ming Wang lost their chances at starting in the ‘Nation’s Capital.’

Also on the honourable mention list are the highly overpaid Barry Zito, who had his first decent season in a Giants’ uniform since inking his seven-year, $126 million contract and Rick Porcello, who had a hard time missing bats last season, but is still only 24-years old, has great control, and a promising future ahead of him.