After unveiling its new logo nearly two months ago, the Buffalo Bisons completed its makeover today with a brand new home, road and alternate uniform during its annual Hot Stove luncheon.

The Buffalo Bisons new uniforms for 2013, commemorating the career of former Bison Ollie Carnegie — the International League's all-time leader in home runs with 258 and runs batted in with 1,044.

Darren Oliver is coming back.  Here is the Blue Jays announcement:

LHP DARREN OLIVER will return to the TORONTO BLUE JAYS for a 20th Major League season and second in a Blue Jays uniform after his US $3.0 million was exercised for the 2013 season.

OLIVER, 42, posted the lowest ERA of his career in 2012 with a 2.06 mark, which was the 3rd lowest mark in the AL with a minimum of 50 innings pitched. The Kansas City, Missouri native has now held opponents to a .237 average over his past seven seasons to go with a 2.86 ERA over that span. The left-hander has not posted a single season ERA above 3.00 since the 2007 season. The former 3rd round pick of the Texas Rangers in 1988, Oliver has played for nine teams in his career, including Texas on three separate occasions. In 716 career games, including 229 starts, the 19-year veteran has posted a 115-94 record with a 4.53 ERA

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....

 

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.

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.

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.

The winter meetings started yesterday and John Gibbons and AA met the media to answer some questions.

Elsewhere the Red Sox added Mike Napoli.  Angel Pagan stayed with the Giants.  Rafael Soriano is rumoured to be close to signing with the Rangers.  And A-Rod will have hip surgery in January and will miss four to six months.

The Toronto branch of the BBWAA held a meeting today and AA and Paul Besston joined the writers to answer questions. Gregor Chisholm at MLB.Com has posted a full transcript at his blog. AA discussed the roster in light of the winter meetings next week.

Here comes $165,000,000 worth of fish!

Commissioner Bud says that this deal "represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both Clubs, does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball," such as public exhibition or unauthorized reproduction. Wait, are there other express rules?