Well, it's not official yet, but it seems pretty close - the Blue Jays are going to sign Jose Bautista to a 5 year deal worth $65 million, with a team option for 2016 worth $13 million. There's a press conference at 5 PM.


(Photo courtesty #2JB)

The Globe and Mail says the Blue Jays and slugger Jose Bautista will have an arbitration hearing Monday, February 14.

As a quick reminder for our own Mick Doherty, I'm using the Arby's mascot as a symbol for arbitration!  ;D

Word out of New York City is that long-time Yankee (and briefly, Astro) lefty Andy Pettitte will announce his retirement on Friday. No, really this time!

Pettitte, third all-time among Yankee pitchers in victories for the franchise (though including his Astro years, he tops Whitey Ford in career wins, 240-236), has endured some reputation-damaging PR over the past few years; he will get some Hall of Fame support, certainly -- pitching in New York and being MLB's all-time leader in post-season wins, even in the modern three-tiered playoff system -- will do that for a guy.

But does he belong in the Hall of Fame? There's a poll to that notion on ESPN SportsNation right now -- for the record, I am a huge Pettitte fan, but voted "no" -- and I am genuinely shocked that no less than 61% (sixty-one percent!) of the first 1800 or so votes cast came down on the side of Pettitte to Cooperstown.

Andy Pettitte, Hall of Famer? Really? A sturdy lefty with 240 wins, a 3.88 career ERA, 2251 K, a caeer ERA+ of 117, top five "Most Similars" are a NYC-heavy Boomer Wells, Kevin Brown, Bob Welch, Mike Mussina and Doc Gooden -- sounds to me like a really solid "Hall of Really Good" case, but not so much for a Cooperstown bust. Over to you, valued Bauxites ...

Thanks to valued baseball scribe Tom Tango's excellent The Book website for this head's up ... Rob Neyer, the finest feature writer/columnist ESPN.com has ever had, will be leaving his long-time home tomorrow for a new venture TBA. It's not precisely "Pujols to leave Cardinals" level news, but for baseball web-writers everywhere, it's durn close!

Neyer's note to fans and readers follows. Tango's note is here. 

A Quick Programming Note ...
By Rob Neyer

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Ken Rosenthal is reporting on Twitter that the Jays have traded Mike Napoli to the Rangers for Frank Francisco. Thanks to Bauxite chocolatethunder for the heads-up.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Jays have traded for Angels catcher Mike Napoli. Details to be updated as they come out.

The deal appears to be Napoli and Juan Rivera for Vernon Wells, as reported by Rosenthal and confirmed by Mike Wilner. We still don't know how much cash the Jays are sending over.

Mike Napoli steps to the plate against the Jays at the Dome August 21, 2009.  He would homer later in the game against Casey Janssen but the Jays would prevail over the Angels 5-4.  Interestingly enough, Vernon Wells also went deep in the same contest.

The Blue Jays have signed Jon Rauch to a one-year contract at $3.5 million. There is a team option for 2012 for $3.75 million.

The big news just came in. Robbie Alomar is now officially the first Blue Jay in the Hall Of Fame thanks to his "consistence excellence", according to the HOF dude. Alomar got 90% of the vote while Blyleven received 79.7%. Barry Larkin, Jeff Bagwell and Jack Morris are among those who didn't make the cut, and we'll update the vote totals when those become available.

According to foxsports.com, the Blue Jays appear to have signed their new closer for 2011 as they have reportedly come to terms with right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel on a one-year deal plus an option.  A tip of the Jays graphite cap to Bauxite dan gordon for the heads-up!

Octavio Dotel spent time with Pittsburgh, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado in 2010.

The Milwaukee Brewers have apparently aced out the Rangers, Yankeees, Angels and others in completing a deal in to acquire former Cy Young winner  Zack Greinke from the Royals.

 The agent for Brewers minor league pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who is part of the Royals package in return,  confirmed the deal on Sunday.

The Brewers also are expected to receive shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt  from the Royals.

Sounds like a high, high price for MIL to pay for what may well be a rental, but the deal also might make the Brew Crew the NL Central favorites for 2011 ...