Welcome to the dead zone of the sports season. No more real football until next month, the hockey all-star break is approaching and we have to slog through a 29-day February before Spring Training arrives. Below the fold are some stories for your reading pleasure.


Ace will be back in Dunedin starting March 2. (Image from Tampa Bay Tribune)

Eight Blue Jays have filed for salary arbitration with American League MVP Josh Donaldson headlining the list.

The Arby's Oven Mitt is surrounded by other mascots at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game.

The Blue Jays have traded Ben Revere to the Nationals for Drew Storen. The Jays trade from a surplus to fortify a weakness. Michael Saunders and Dalton Pompey are now the left fielders. Meanwhile Storen was unhappy backing up Papelbon. Who is the closer now in Toronto?

Welcome to 2016, Bauxites! Not a whole heck of a lot is going on but there are some rumours for you to munch on.


Fernando Rodney pitches against Toronto at Safeco Field last July 25. The 38 year-old Dominican split last season with Seattle and the Chicago Cubs.

The final Vancouver Canadians photo thread of 2015.


Case-y at the Bat! Andrew Case with fellow reliever Michael Kraft during the September 6 pre-game warmup against Everett at Nat Bailey Stadium.

In keeping with turkey leftovers, here are some extra photos of the Vancouver Canadians to feast your eyes upon from the last weekend of 2015.


Andrew Guillotte heads to the dugout after scoring the first run of the game against Everett September 5. Everett starter Jacob Brentz and Juan Kelly both look on.

With the year almost at an end, I thought this was as good a time as any to revisit the magic that came before.

Happy Holidays from everyone at Da Box.


This sweater had to be the hottest item on the Blue Jays Christmas shopping list! (Image from Vice.com)

The Vancouver Canadians were looking to finish 2015 on a strong note by sweeping the playoff-bound Everett Aqua Sox at Nat Bailey Stadium.


Lefty Evan Smith got the start and spun two scoreless frames of two-hit ball with one strikeout.

Time to bring some photos out of the archives as we take a look back at the C's penultimate game of the 2015 regular season against the Everett AquaSox at Nat Bailey Stadium.


Andrew Guillotte rounds first base after ripping a single to left field on the first pitch of the game.

Baseball America released their top ten Blue Jay prospects today. Here is the list:

1. Anthony Alford, of
2. Conner Greene, rhp
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of/3b
4. Richard Urena, ss
5. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp
6. Jon Harris, rhp
7. Rowdy Tellez, 1b
8. Max Pentecost, c
9. Justin Maese, rhp
10. D.J. Davis, of

Things are quiet in Blue Jay land, not that that stops us from yakking non-stop. Very minor Jays news...

The Blue Jays have selected righthander Joe Biagini from the San Francisco Giants in the Rule 5 draft.


Joe Biagini hopes to become a teammate of Roberto Osuna in Toronto when 2016 rolls around. The two pitched against each other at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver on August 2, 2012.

The winter meetings start today and run through the rule 5 draft on Thursday. Discuss all the blockbuster action here. Also Fangraphs has released the ZiPS projections for the 2016 Jays.

Ross Atkins will be named the new general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. The hiring marks a reunion between Atkins and new team president Mark Shapiro from their days in Ohio.


Ross Atkins was Cleveland's vice-president of player personnel in 2015. (Image from Ohio.com)