In which three Box scribes discuss the bullpen, the AL Central, and the State of the Franchise. Listen here. (Note: iTunes subscribability in process!)

We've been having a lot of discussions about 2012 and the starting rotation seems to be the biggest question (with honourable mention to LF and 1B). How bad was 2011's rotation and what would it take to improve it?

There has been a lot of talk about how great the Jays minor league system is and how many top prospects there are. Naturally we are all getting excited but what have the top Jay prospects done in the past?

We're so late to jump on the podcast bandwagon that it isn't even a bandwagon anymore. We're trendsetters!

The inaugural episode of the "Boxcast", Batter's Box's official podcast (as opposed to all those imitations running wild out there) features Box scribes Anders Whist, Thomas Ayers and myself talking Jays, ZiPS, and Prince Fielder. More details inside.

For those of us with mlb.tv and a hankering to watch some baseball on a cold winter night Bill James has published his top 100 pitcher duels of last year at Grantland. No. 16 is Ricky Romero against James Shields on April 16 and there are three other Jays games featured including Henderson Alvarez beating Josh Beckett on Sept 5th - my favourite game of last year.

Veteran Bauxite Mike Green, in the most recent Jason Returns thread, notes, finally, "This thread is a little long. Maybe a new one is in order for the new year. How about with a question: which NL team do you root for, and why?' And, he admits, "If Rogers continues on its current road, I need to find an NL team to root for. It was always the Expos, of course, but I just can't get excited about the Nats."

So a tri-level of questions:

1. Which NL team do you root for, and why?
2. Which (other) AL team do you root for, and why?
3. How do you feel about the Washington Nationals?

As always, thanks Mike. Let's stir up the rabble!

(P.S. what else is going on? Anything else worth reporting or asking, let us know!)
New ... the conversation has taken an interesting turn and Bauxites are now sharing (and linking to) their first game ... join in!

As promised on Christmas Eve: don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!

Okay, it's no longer "early" ... Today is New Year's Eve. So right here on Battter's Box it's time to comment and commit to a couple of different kinds of New year's Resolutions.

• Start a post here by taking on the persona of an MLB player (Blue Jay or otherwise, your decision) and post a note about what they should be resolving. Rules here -- keep it on-the-baseball-field related (e.g. no drug or marriage jokes)  and keep them at least viable, RESolutions, not REVolutions. (e.g. don't post "I, Adam Dunn, resolve to stop striking out. Completely.") or post ridiculous projections (like "I, Ricky Romero, resolve to win thirty-five games and pitch eight no-hitters.") Keep it real!
• The other kind of post -- now, if you want to engage in REVolution-making this new year, here's your chance. Tell us, share with all of Da Baux, what your own personal resolution for 2012 will be. No mocking or taunting -- sometimes a resolution can be embarrassing ("I will finally lose that forty pounds that drags me down") or even downright humilating ("Since I turn 30 this year, I resolve to finally get a girlfriend.") So again, NO taunting, NO mocking -- just an opportunity to share with the internets what your goals are for the coming year.

Ready? Go!!!

We ask this every year as Christmas comes (and if I read my watch right, in Toronto this year, that's in about 20 minutes!) so ...

What'djaget???

That's right, we want to know ... was Baseball Santa good to you this year? You can brag on other non-great-game-related givts, too, but we are most interested in the cards, tickets, regalia and memorabilia (or whatever else) you received that would make Bill James smile and little Robbie Neyer insanely jealous. This is also a place to, if you really want to, post your Christmas holiday wishes to others on this site (don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!) .....

On Monday, we will present the first-ever award recognizing the best post to the Christmas thread (this one), as selected by a committee of one (me) -- the selection criteria are as yet undetermined and likely will be just north of random, so get your creativity bootstraps a-working! That's right, on Dec. 26, someone will be the proud owner of the inaugural Batter's Boxing Day Award.

[12/26: and the winner is ... melondough!!! Congratulations. Official announcement in comments within ...]

Ready? Go!

It's time, surely, to change the subject?

I hate to be contrary... ah, who am I kidding? I love to be contrary! But I have to say it - I'm really looking forward to watching Jeff Mathis play.  There are things I'm keen to know...

With Jamey Carroll signing with Minnesota, Mark Ellis signing with the Dodgers, Aaron Hill returning to Arizona and the Jays looking increasingly likely to let Kelly Johnson go elsewhere and gain picks in return, the options at second base are shrinking. Some of the biggest names still left in free agency include Orlando Cabrera, Aaron Miles, Ramon Santiago and Nick Punto. With that list of less inspiring names, the suggestion has been the Jays will try to acquire a second baseman through trade with Brandon Phillips being a rumoured target. However, there may be one option at second base that we aren’t discussing.

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.

Mike Napoli. (Wow!)

I have an odd theory about why the Texas Rangers, despite their current 0-1 hole, at least seem like a better baseball team than the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Point #1: I think it's pretty clear who, given complete health, the best player on each team is. Albert Pujols (duh) and Josh Hamilton -- in fact, in the past couple of years, both have staked various claims on best player in baseball status. (And Albert may well still be That Guy.)
• Point #2: Pitching has been discussed earlier on this very site, and given the exceptions of of the Cardinals having the better #1 starter (Carpenter) and the Rangers having the better closer (Feliz, though holy crap, Motte can make a guy re-think that!), the staffs are pretty damn well evenly matched.
• Point #3: So here's the interesting question: who ....