See how many players you can identify in these filtered photos of 2011.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired first base prospect Anthony Rizzo from the Padres today in a four-player deal that sends former first-round pick Andrew Cashner to the West Coast.

Rizzo, a lefty-hitting slugger drafted by Boston under now-Cub Theo Epstein's regime and acquired by San Diego last winter as part of the prospect package in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, is expected to be Chicago's regular first baseman in 2012..

Rizzo, 22, hit .331 at Triple-A Tucson last year with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs, with a 423 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. He was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the Padres system, and made his major league debut for San Diego in 2011, struggling with a .141 average in 128 at-bats in 49 games. (I believe that number of AB means he is still officially a rookie, right?)

The Cubs also sent outfielder Kyung-Min Na to the Padres, and received pitcher Zach Kates.

Escaping that pitcher's paradise San Diego to play in the Wrigley bandbox? This isn't a prediction, but just an observation .... the rookie HR record is McGwire with 49, you know ...

Veteran Bauxite Mike Green, in the most recent Jason Returns thread, notes, finally, "This thread is a little long. Maybe a new one is in order for the new year. How about with a question: which NL team do you root for, and why?' And, he admits, "If Rogers continues on its current road, I need to find an NL team to root for. It was always the Expos, of course, but I just can't get excited about the Nats."

So a tri-level of questions:

1. Which NL team do you root for, and why?
2. Which (other) AL team do you root for, and why?
3. How do you feel about the Washington Nationals?

As always, thanks Mike. Let's stir up the rabble!

(P.S. what else is going on? Anything else worth reporting or asking, let us know!)
New ... the conversation has taken an interesting turn and Bauxites are now sharing (and linking to) their first game ... join in!

The Blue Jays have announced the acquisition of Jason Frasor for minor league pitchers Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb. Frasor returns to the Jays after being with the White Sox for less than half of a season. The Jays 40 man roster has one spot available for Frasor.

The Toronto Blue Jays have made more dents to the 2011 transactions column.  After signing free agent lefty Darren Oliver from Texas to a one-year deal and fellow southpaw Aaron Laffey to a minor league deal Friday, the Jays handed out minor league pacts to shortstop Brian Bocock and righties Jerry Gil and Robert Coello.

As promised on Christmas Eve: don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!

Okay, it's no longer "early" ... Today is New Year's Eve. So right here on Battter's Box it's time to comment and commit to a couple of different kinds of New year's Resolutions.

• Start a post here by taking on the persona of an MLB player (Blue Jay or otherwise, your decision) and post a note about what they should be resolving. Rules here -- keep it on-the-baseball-field related (e.g. no drug or marriage jokes)  and keep them at least viable, RESolutions, not REVolutions. (e.g. don't post "I, Adam Dunn, resolve to stop striking out. Completely.") or post ridiculous projections (like "I, Ricky Romero, resolve to win thirty-five games and pitch eight no-hitters.") Keep it real!
• The other kind of post -- now, if you want to engage in REVolution-making this new year, here's your chance. Tell us, share with all of Da Baux, what your own personal resolution for 2012 will be. No mocking or taunting -- sometimes a resolution can be embarrassing ("I will finally lose that forty pounds that drags me down") or even downright humilating ("Since I turn 30 this year, I resolve to finally get a girlfriend.") So again, NO taunting, NO mocking -- just an opportunity to share with the internets what your goals are for the coming year.

Ready? Go!!!

The final POTD of the year looks at one of the 11 walkoff wins for the Blue Jays in 2011.

Today's episode of the POTD looks at the middle game of a three game set between the Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners at the Dome.

Ken Rosenthal reports that long-time Friend of Batter's Box Keith Law is in the process of interviewing with the Houston Astros.

Honestly, at a visceral level, I never would have thought this argument could be sensibly made. But today on the really fine MLB Dirt blog, Jonathan C. Mitchell posits a pretty convincing case (Historically Underrated: John Olerud) that ex-Jay John Olerud had a better, if not necessarily Hall-worthy career than feared slugger Jim Rice. Here's part of his conclusion:

"This post is not to say that John Olerud belongs in the Hall of Fame or to say Jim Rice does not belong but to point out that the career Olerud had, although slightly better than Hall-of-Famer Jim Rice’s ... is historically underrated for his on-field accomplishments."

Your thoughts, Bauxites?

So, now, maybe the free agent period really is transitioning into the trading portion of the off-season. Oakland closer Andrew Bailey, rumored to be dealt to  about 10 or 12 dfferent places since the '11 season's end, is now a member of Red Sox Nation.

The Sawx acquired Bailey,who compliled 24 ssaves in 2011, and outfielder Ryan Sweeney in exchange for OF Josh Reddick and minor leaguers 1B Miles Head and P Raul Alcantera.

Bailey's in Boston? Let the "Irish Cream" pun contest begin!

Today's POTD looks at the first time Roy Halladay pitched in Toronto in an enemy uniform.

Today's POTD looks at a happier end result for the Blue Jays.

Today's POTD looks at the series finale between the Blue Jays and the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates at the Dome.

We ask this every year as Christmas comes (and if I read my watch right, in Toronto this year, that's in about 20 minutes!) so ...

What'djaget???

That's right, we want to know ... was Baseball Santa good to you this year? You can brag on other non-great-game-related givts, too, but we are most interested in the cards, tickets, regalia and memorabilia (or whatever else) you received that would make Bill James smile and little Robbie Neyer insanely jealous. This is also a place to, if you really want to, post your Christmas holiday wishes to others on this site (don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!) .....

On Monday, we will present the first-ever award recognizing the best post to the Christmas thread (this one), as selected by a committee of one (me) -- the selection criteria are as yet undetermined and likely will be just north of random, so get your creativity bootstraps a-working! That's right, on Dec. 26, someone will be the proud owner of the inaugural Batter's Boxing Day Award.

[12/26: and the winner is ... melondough!!! Congratulations. Official announcement in comments within ...]

Ready? Go!