According to foxsports.com, the Blue Jays appear to have signed their new closer for 2011 as they have reportedly come to terms with right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel on a one-year deal plus an option.  A tip of the Jays graphite cap to Bauxite dan gordon for the heads-up!

Octavio Dotel spent time with Pittsburgh, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado in 2010.

The Milwaukee Brewers have apparently aced out the Rangers, Yankeees, Angels and others in completing a deal in to acquire former Cy Young winner  Zack Greinke from the Royals.

 The agent for Brewers minor league pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who is part of the Royals package in return,  confirmed the deal on Sunday.

The Brewers also are expected to receive shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt  from the Royals.

Sounds like a high, high price for MIL to pay for what may well be a rental, but the deal also might make the Brew Crew the NL Central favorites for 2011 ...

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Jays have signed Edwin Encarnacion to a $2.5m deal for 2011 with an option for 2012.  I guess Adrian Beltre won't be coming to Toronto then.

Guess who just got back today

That wild-eyed boy who had been away

Hasn't changed, hasn't much to say

But man, I still think those Jays are crazy

Gregor Chisholm tweets that the plan is to use EE at first and DH along with Lind.

Bob Feller, one of the most remarkable pitchers ever to take the mound, has died at age 92.

In the "Who-Saw-This-Coming" Department, Cliff Lee has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

I figured we could do with a Winter Meetings catch-all.  I don't know about you but aside from Opening Day, the Winter Meetings may just be my favourite time on the calendar.  Today's day one and the hot stove is pre-heating with some Jays content.

 

Update III: The Blue Jays have acquired Carlos Villanueva, a reliever, from the Brewers for a player to be named to later, according to the Brewers twitter page. He is eligible for arbitration for the first time this season after putting up a 4.61 ERA in 50 relief appearances last year, while striking out 67 batters in 52.2 innings. He is not the enemy.

Update II: Some of the more notable players non-tendered: Jeremy Accardo, Willy Aybar, Taylor Buchholz, Jack Cust, Ryan Church, Edwin Encarnacion, Scott Hairston, JP Howell, Bobby Jenks, Fred Lewis, Russell Martin, Lastings Milledge, Dioner Navarro, Hideki Ojakima and Joel Peralta.

Fox Sports is reporting that Brian Tallet has been signed by the St. Louis Cardinals.  In addition tonight is the deadline for free agents who have been offered arbitration to accept or reject the offer.

It's a Gang of Four: Downs, Frasor, Olivo, and Gregg.

The Blue Jays have added five players to their 40-man roster.  Brian Jeroloman; Joel Carreno; Moises Sierra; Alan Farina;  and Darin Mastroianni are the lucky guys.