A notable signing yesterday, but not of a free agent - the Rockies signed Jeff Francis to a four year deal for $13.25 million.  

Not sure what got me thinking about this, but a lot of great players have fallen juuust short of what our own Magpie has termed The Big Number in some category or another.

The truth is, we can build one of the greatest Hall of Names teams ever assembled with the guys who retired with 493 this or 2992 that ... in fact, let's do just that. And we'll start with just a few basic rules ...

...in the sun or shade...without the busy pace back east.

The Phoenix Desert Dogs went all the way this AFL season with Blue Jays farmhands playing a lead role. Chip Cannon, Kyle Yates, Curtis Thigpen, Ryan Klosterman, Dustin McGowan, Jordan DeJong and Tracy Thorpe all contributed to the Dogs' success. Shall we take a look at how some of them did, and how it affects their prospect status?

There's been roughly 22 signings so far. The market for hitters has become a little more established. The market for starting pitching is still hazy as El Duque and Mussina are the only ones to have signed contracts at this point.

Back when he was still an Athletic, I photographed Frank Thomas. I never thought I'd be repurposing those photographs now with the Big Hurt signed as a Blue Jay. But I am, and here he is:

A few notable signings today:

• According to Peter Gammons Justin Speier signed a four year deal to join the Angels. Ken Rosenthal has the deal at 4 years and $18 million.
  
• The Cat came back - Ken Rosenthal also reports that Jays OF Frank Catalanotto is close to signing a three year deal with the Rangers.
  
• Cubs sign Soriano for 8 years and $136 million ... coming on the heels of the Mark DeRosa signing, we are left with just one question -- what former Texas Ranger 2B could possibly be in the Cubbie crosshairs next?

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 ...