The Jays have a full staff in the minors again with a few names we have heard of before.  From Tim Raines to Stubby Clapp.

From inimitable Friend of Batter's Box Jamey Newberg's Newberg Report:

"The Rangers have signed free agent righthander Jason Frasor to a one-year deal, reported by Jon Heyman (CBS Sports) to be worth a mere $1.5 million....

 

Ohhkay .... so it's been an awfully long time since we created and published a Hall oF Names team here on Batter's Box. It's about time we changed that, hey? And no better reason to change up than to notice the adoration and adulation bestowed upon the greatness of a former Blue Jay second baseman in the recent Top Seasons In Jays History thread.

So now, all-Alomar ... no, wait, that wouldn't really work. There have only been three Alomars to play big league ball, all part of the same family (two generations), Roberto and the two Sandys ... so we'd cover the middle infield and behind the plate, often the toughest positions to fill on the field, but the rest of the diamond would be bare.  So let's honor Robbie Alomar instead with an All-Roberto Hall of Names team.  There have been two Hall of Famers (including Alomar himself, of course) and five additional All-Stars, so talent should be pretty ample.  Let's see ....

Now that we are deep into the offseason and dreaming of the future, lets see how the Jays have done at various positions in the past and who has had the most amazing season by various measures.  Also do any of our new players have a shot at breaking these records?

In honour of the Christmas gifts bestowed upon us by the front office of the Toronto Blue Jays, enjoy this brand new photograph from your pal NFH:

Here's the original image on Instagram.

That's a 1993 Back To Back AL East Champions mug. The subsequent 19 years worth of washes has faded it slightly. Here's hoping that next Christmas I'll have a new one.

Four times in franchise history, the Blue Jays have had the best starting pitching in the American League. I propose to look at those four starting rotations.

The Jays have completed their trade with the Mets. The Jays acquire RA Dickey, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas in exchange for Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, John Buck and Wuilmer Becerra. My contention is that AA lost his Ninja status with this trade.

The trade is now official. The Jays received RA Dickey, Josh Thole and journeyman Canadian catcher Mike Nickeas in exchange for Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, John Buck and Wuilmer Becerra. We have a poll up and running on the left. But the poll is anonymous. It's time to go on the record.

Today's POTD brings you on to the field of Nat Bailey Stadium with a special prize at the end.

Anyone who has hung out in section 518 with me can tell you that I can yell. I've always had good control of my voice, but a high school drama teacher taught me about my optimum pitch and altered the way I speak forever.

I thought nothing would ever again change the way I speak in such an extreme way. I was wrong.

Well it certainaly seems that this Dickey thing has legs. Usually when you hear that the Jays are in on a deal it doesn't happen but there are leaks on this like a rusty tea pot. What a coincidence that JP Ricciardi is in New York now. Could it be that JP is saying I'll see you your cone of silence and raise you a wall of coverage? Or it could be that the Mets are trying to persuade other teams to get into the negotiations.

The news this morning suggests the outline of a deal is in place and that each team is reviewing medicals. If that is true an announcement could come today sometime.

The Vancouver Canadians held an Open House at Nat Bailey Stadium in November to give fans an opportunity to buy season tickets, shop for souvenirs and tour the premises. Here is a look inside the clubhouse of your back-to-back Northwest League champions.

So, we now have Baseball Prospectus' top 10 to go with Baseball America's, FanGraphs, John Sickles, and our own.  How do they compare? 
Note: MLB.com just added in to expand the diversity of the lists.

As fans, we are often undone by our expectations.

Example: 2004 wouldn't have been half as bad if 2003 hadn't had so many improbable bright spots.

In a long-rumored deal, the Texas Rangers have swapped framchise hits leader Michael Young to the Philadelphia Phillies --  where the fprmer Jay prospect, previously dealt as part of a package for the memorable Esteban Loiaza, is expected to start at third base for the Phils.

Philly will ship southward right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom and minor league righty Lisalverto Bonilla to the Rangers to complete the deal. Linblom will get a chance to stick in the crowded Rangers bullpen, while Bonilla looks to fill the "prospect" role in this deal. 

Young agreed to ignore his 10/5 rights to block a trade as part of a side deal with the Rangers.