Evaluating shortstops is especially challenging because of the importance of, and the difficulty in measuring, their defensive abilities. Two years ago, I wrote about evaluation standards, and then about Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Barry Larkin, and Julio Franco. I am going to treat Alex Rodriguez as a third baseman this time, so he'll have to wait another week or two. I also have nothing to add to what I said about Larkin. So for now, it's Nomar, Jeter and Franco.

So Frank Thomas is coming to T.O. Okay, that in itself provides plenty to talk about (do so here) ... but have you noticed, there are a few other things going on?

Bob Geren will manage the A's ... and maybe, just maybe, also manage that Bonds fellow? ... The Cubs traded for Neal Cotts in their first swap with their crosstown neighbors since the legendary deal of Jon Garland to the ChiSox for the immortal Matt Karchner ... And oh yeah, The Best Pitcher in the World (sorry, Mr. Matsuzaka), Johan Santana, won his second (of what could eventually be seven or eight) AL Cy Young Award ...

Thoughts?

The Big Hurt is coming to Toronto.

Update: The reliable Jeff Blair writes that it's a two year deal for $18 million with a vesting option for a third year based on plate appearances that could push the total value to $30 million. (thanks to KevinJaysFan for linking that)

Update 2: The contract is for $10 million in year 1, $8 million in year 2, and $10 million in year three if Thomas reaches an unknown threshold of plate appearances.

Update 3:  The signing is official now.

Every two decades or so, a very significant player changes hands in the Rule 5 draft which takes place at the winter meetings next week. Johan Santana, George Bell and Roberto Clemente are the three big names. Due to changes in the rules in the newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement, this will likely be a slow year for the Rule 5 draft. Here is a primer on the rules prior to the changes, and here is a summary of the changes. Formerly, most college players would have to be placed on the 40 man roster within 3 years of their signing or else they would be eligible to be chosen in the Rule 5 draft, whereas most high school players would have to be placed on the 40 man roster within 4 years of their signing or else be eligible. Under the new CBA, the time for most college players has been extended to 4 years and for most high school players to 5 years. This change has a number of implications for player development, but for today, let's see how the Jays' 40 man roster looks with the Rule 5 draft in mind.

In what may be the least surprising awards announcement of the 2006-07 off-season, Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland have been named NL and AL managers of the year, respectively.

Here's a good poser: has anyone before Girardi ever won this award after already being fired?

Well, it looks like the Jays might be making an early splash. ESPN.com reports that the Jays are "closing in on a deal with Thomas".

Ken Rosenthal adds that the deal is for 2 years and at least $20 million with a club option for a third year. Jon Heyman at CNNSI.com has the deal at two years and $23 million.

It's possible both contract reports are correct if the third year option has a buyout in it for $3 million.

Arizona SP Brandon Webb has nudged out Trevor Hoffman, Chris Carpenter and the cast of AAAA Baseball '06 to win the NL Cy Young Award. His victory total (16) was the lowest in a full season for a starting pitcher who won the Cy Young Award.

(Yeah, I know I rhymed go with go.)

Yep, we're back with another rendition of Baseball's Hall of Names here on Batter's Box, and today's special features a twinbill of fast-food-type pleasure; take your narrator's name (that'd be me) and surround it with the 15th and 21st most common North American boys' names, and you have ...

Wait for it ...

A trip to ...

The 2006 AL and NL Rookies of the Year have been announced.

In a tight NL race, Hanley Ramirez overcame a possible vote split with teammate Dan Uggla (who finished third) to edge Ryan Zimmerman for the honor. In the AL, Justin Verlander continued '06 Tiger magic and held off Red Sox closer Jon Papelbon, snaring 26 of the 28 possible first-place votes to coast to the victory.

Personally, I would have gone with ...

Baseball America revealed their Top 30 Blue Jay prospects today.  There is a subscriber only chat at 2 pm.  Baseball America are higher on Ryan Patterson and Brandon Magee than Batters Box was and the big surprise is Balbino Fuenmayor at number 10.

This one's for the ladies. And, uh, for Bauxites Mike Forbes and Parker, who both requested it.

Not that there's anything wrong with requesting a desktop picture of Grady Sizemore!  And here it is:

It's been awhile since we posted a Hall of Names team here on Da Box -- since Oct. 22, in fact, when we unveiled the All-Paul Squad as we continued to build a Hall of Names roster for each of the 25 most-common male names in North America.

To get back in the Hall of Names spirit, let's examine the 19th most common of those names, one that bears significance for me as my own middle name (though of course, as usual, middle names do not qualify for this team) ...

Some AL East moves:

The Yankees traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for three minor leaguers, including highly touted Humberto Sanchez.

Not to be outdone, the Red Sox, according to Buster Olney, are going to be the winners of the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes with a bid of 'between $38 and $45 million.

Miguel Tejada looks nothing like Cal Ripken physically, but sometimes appearances can be deceiving. In 2006, he seemed to change his approach to hitting and hit more line drives, more ground balls and fewer fly balls. The result was exactly what you would expect, a career high batting average of .330 accompanied by a loss of power. At age 30, he still provides an exceptionally valuable package- average defence at short, durability and a .330/.379/.498 line. Durability, of course, understates his record; he hasn't missed a game in six years. Miguel, take my advice, people over 30 need a day off every once in awhile.