The Texas Rangers, according to multiple local (North Texas) reports, has signed veteran closer Joe Nathan to a two-year deal, $7 million deal with an option for a third year.

Per friend of Batter's Box Jamey Newberg, "As long as Nathan is healthy, Neftali Feliz is your newest Texas Rangers starting pitcher."

Nathan had been rumored to both the Tigers and Twins, but ESPN DFW has the story here.

As Thomas pointed out in an earlier thread, Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death today in The Netherlands.  The Associated Press reports Halman's brother has been arrested.  Greg Halman was 24.

Greg Halman was rated the Mariners top prospect by Baseball America in 2009.

Via http://bbwaa.com/ he came in 3rd. Verlander got it, named on 27 of 28 ballots vs Bautista being on all 28.

The Dunedin Blue Jays followed suit with the parent club and unveiled its new look for 2012 on Frday.

The new logos for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League.

Update @ 11:10am - The Bluefield Blue Jays have done likewise.

The primary logo for the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League.  The National Post's John Lott has a photo of Dunedin's and Bluefield's new designs.

The Blue Jays made a series of roster moves Friday.  First, the club lost catcher Brian Jeroloman on waivers to Pittsburgh and also lost recent waiver claim, right-hander Cole Kimball, back to his original club - the Washington Nationals.  Second, the team picked up right-hander Drew Carpenter on waivers from San Diego. Third, the team added catcher Travis d'Arnaud, first baseman Mike McDade, righty Nestor Molina and lefty Evan Crawford to the 40-man roster.

Blue Jays mascot Ace wears the team's new uniform and ball cap.  He may have also been bidding adieu to catcher Brian Jeroloman, claimed on waivers by Pittsburgh Friday.

Here they are!

The new "Logo For Life" and new uniforms for your Toronto Blue Jays in 2012.  Two thumbs up!!

Update @ 3:15pm: New images added!

Two of Major League Baseball's proudest, most tradition-laden teams made big announcements this morning ...

For the ex-Brooklyn Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw won the team's 10th Cy Young Award, joining a list of names including the likes of Koufax (three times), Drysdale, Valenzuela and Hershiser, not to mention two closers, in Mike Marshall and Eric Gagne. Kershaw, frighteningly just 23, finished well ahead of runner-up old friend Roy Halladay. Like Justin Verlander Tuesday, Kershaw's Cy comes in the wake of his winning his league's 2011 Pitcher's Triple Crown.

In other news, the long-suffering Cubs named a new manager today for the 2012 season, opting for Milwaukee hitting coach Dale Sveum after Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew his candidacy. Sveum was a third-base coach for the Red Sox when new Cubbies GM Theo Epstein held that same post in Boston.

So, today's QOTD .... Were these the "right" choices for the NL and for the Cubs? If not, who shouldawouldacoulda?

MLB owners add two playoffs teams for 2013

With talk of 7,8,9, and 10 year contracts going on for Pujols and the like I got to thinking - do these work out often or do teams really, really, really regret them.

The Blue Jays have claimed right-handed reliever Cole Kimball on waivers from the Washington Nationals.  The 26 year-old made his major league debut with Washington this season but tore the labrum of his shoulder in July.

Cole Kimball posted an ERA of 1.93 and a WHIP of 1.357 in 14 innings with the Nationals in 2011.

Joe Maddon never played major league baseball, spending four years in Angels A-ball catching and hitting in the .260s with almost no power.

Kirk Gibson DID play major league baseball, winning the 1988 NL MVP award and earning two World Series rings, with the 1984 Tigers and 1988 Dodgers.

Now, the two have something specific in common, as each has won their respective league's 2011 Manager of the Year award.

Do you agree? Also, I don't know how to look this up, is Gibson the first former MVP to win a Manager of the Year award?

 

The return of professional baseball in London, Ontario is off to a controversial start.  The London Rippers will begin play in the independent Frontier League in 2012.  The nickname was introduced Tuesday and its likeness to serial killer Jack The Ripper is drawing plenty of criticism.   London City Council has asked the club to reconsider its moniker.

Justin Verlander, as projected yesterday by Da Box's own stalwart soothsayer Gerry (in this thread) is your unanimos AL Cy Young Award winner for 2011. Winning the pitching triple crown will do that for a guy.

Verlander is just the ninth unanimous winner in AL history and the first since then-Twin Johan Santana in 2006; Santana '06 was also the last pitching triple crown winner (wins, ERA and strikeouts). The Detrooit ace takes home the first Tiger Cy since Willie Hernandez in 1984 and is the first Tiger to win the pitching triple criwn since Hal Newhouser in 1945.

So Cy Young Award winner? As the headline mentions, well, duh. But here's a QOTD -- is Cy Verlander also deserving of earning the imminent AL MVP award?

 

 

Today's POTD looks at a close call involving rookie left fielder Eric Thames against the Yankees at the Dome September 18 and a chain reaction of events afterwards.

The perp - Scott Proctor. ;D

Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, who went undefeated in five consecutive starts against American League East opponents in September as the Rays earned the wild-card playoff berth, was voted the AL winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel, who set a major league record for saves by a first-year pitcher with 46 in tying the Milwaukee Brewers’ John Axford for the National League lead, was elected the NL winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, unanimously.

Read more here on MLB.com ...