I think they start the season with Mize-Skubal-Manning in the rotation.
Now, you're talking about filling the #4 to #6 (Toledo) spots in the rotation. If you sign someone like Verlander, and expect him to take over the #3 slot and push Manning to the #4 spot... well, there's that. I'm for it because not only do I believe JV will come back strong, but I also think he's a huge on-the-field teacher for the Young 3, especially Manning. "See, this is how I do it, now you try the same thing.". That could be approach, video review, mechanics, pitch selection, sequencing, whatever... I'm all for signing JV.
With or without JV, our internal prospects for the 4th-6th spots include Fulmer (if they want to try him again in the rotation), Alexander (has shown he can do it), Wentz (showed well in Erie before the TJ and should be back to full strength in 2022, pushing for the 5th spot), and then who else is under contract for 2022?
I don't think Urena, Peralta, or Teheran are. So you would have to sign them. But if JV is signed, then anyone you're signing has too be able to take over the 5th spot OR pitch in Toledo, however that shakes out in Spring Training.
Do we give Boyd a shot if he does his rehab, with the Tigers if he wants to, and is ready by June-ish? Or do we just move on?
I'd like to count on Turnbull being a part of the rotation as well, but I believe that's a 2023 issue not a 2022 issue...