Tonight season ticket holders and other invitees will be at the Rogers Centre for the annual state of the franchise event which has been re-branded as "The Leadoff". Expect Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins and John Gibbons to speak. In previous years the front office would answer some carefully selected and preapproved questions. I expect many of the questions this year will be about whether the Jays will re-sign Jose Bautista and EE. And the answer will be we would like to but it takes two sides to make a deal and we won't break the bank for any player, or words to that effect. I also expect some questions around the roles for Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna this year. I don;t feel confident we will get a straight answer to that.

The Vancouver Canadians and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to extend their Player Development Contract for two more seasons.


The Vancouver Canadians flag will continue to fly under the Toronto Blue Jays banner for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled their new look for Spring Training.


The Blue Jays will use their alternate blue uniform with the difference being no name on the back. New is the blue maple leaf ball cap and a Florida spring training logo on both the cap and the uniform. (Image from @BlueJays)

Welcome to the dead zone of the sports season. No more real football until next month, the hockey all-star break is approaching and we have to slog through a 29-day February before Spring Training arrives. Below the fold are some stories for your reading pleasure.


Ace will be back in Dunedin starting March 2. (Image from Tampa Bay Tribune)

Eight Blue Jays have filed for salary arbitration with American League MVP Josh Donaldson headlining the list.

The Arby's Oven Mitt is surrounded by other mascots at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game.

The Blue Jays have traded Ben Revere to the Nationals for Drew Storen. The Jays trade from a surplus to fortify a weakness. Michael Saunders and Dalton Pompey are now the left fielders. Meanwhile Storen was unhappy backing up Papelbon. Who is the closer now in Toronto?

Welcome to 2016, Bauxites! Not a whole heck of a lot is going on but there are some rumours for you to munch on.


Fernando Rodney pitches against Toronto at Safeco Field last July 25. The 38 year-old Dominican split last season with Seattle and the Chicago Cubs.

The final Vancouver Canadians photo thread of 2015.


Case-y at the Bat! Andrew Case with fellow reliever Michael Kraft during the September 6 pre-game warmup against Everett at Nat Bailey Stadium.

In keeping with turkey leftovers, here are some extra photos of the Vancouver Canadians to feast your eyes upon from the last weekend of 2015.


Andrew Guillotte heads to the dugout after scoring the first run of the game against Everett September 5. Everett starter Jacob Brentz and Juan Kelly both look on.

With the year almost at an end, I thought this was as good a time as any to revisit the magic that came before.

Happy Holidays from everyone at Da Box.


This sweater had to be the hottest item on the Blue Jays Christmas shopping list! (Image from Vice.com)

The Vancouver Canadians were looking to finish 2015 on a strong note by sweeping the playoff-bound Everett Aqua Sox at Nat Bailey Stadium.


Lefty Evan Smith got the start and spun two scoreless frames of two-hit ball with one strikeout.

Time to bring some photos out of the archives as we take a look back at the C's penultimate game of the 2015 regular season against the Everett AquaSox at Nat Bailey Stadium.


Andrew Guillotte rounds first base after ripping a single to left field on the first pitch of the game.

Baseball America released their top ten Blue Jay prospects today. Here is the list:

1. Anthony Alford, of
2. Conner Greene, rhp
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of/3b
4. Richard Urena, ss
5. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp
6. Jon Harris, rhp
7. Rowdy Tellez, 1b
8. Max Pentecost, c
9. Justin Maese, rhp
10. D.J. Davis, of

Things are quiet in Blue Jay land, not that that stops us from yakking non-stop. Very minor Jays news...