Yeah, my bad puns are no better than anyone else's. The newest info - an announcement tonight at roughly 8/9 PM EST from Japan. Hopefully they will not just say 'we accepted the deal' but actually say who won it.

Okay, Bauxites!  Time to reveal the answers and announce the winners of last week's episode of "Name That Future Major Leaguer".

Japan's newest bachelor, Yu Darvish, is about to get busy.  The bachelor has a number of suitors and Darvish will get to see which one likes him the best, monetarily speaking.  The bidding deadline for Darvish is 5pm today, Wednesday.

Great idea from Bauxite bpoz:

Just for a laugh...does anyone want to comment on The Book of AA? For example: "We don't comment on any specific player, mainly free agents." ...  And, "If it makes sense then we will do it."  I know these are weak examples.  So hopefully more creative Bauxites will have a go at it.

So. then, let's have that "go at it" ... what other rules and commandments would go in The Book of AA? Keep each one to a line or two. Stay serious! And feel free to disagree with each other, in a friendly-like way. Ready? Go! ...

1. Who is the second-greatest Canadian in MLB history? (Or, if you can make the argument, who surpasses Fergie as #1?)
2. Who is the greatest active Canadian in the major leagues?

Ready? Set? Go, eh?

See how many future major leaguers you can spot in these photos from my minor league archives.  These are not the greatest quality of photos but the winner who figures out who is who will get a highly coveted, limited edition photo of Pedro Florimon Jr.  Runner-up prizes are a photo of Eric Fryer and one of my cats because it's Christmas! 

The Jays have announced that they acquired outfielder Ben Francisco from the Phillies for minor league LOOGY Frank Gailey.  This trade has quite a few questions surrounding it.

Ben Francisco on JaysVision prior to the Canada Day game between the Phillies and Blue Jays at the Dome.

Today's POTD pays tribute to Roberto Alomar and to the first retired number in Blue Jays history - #12.

Another POTD goes to the birds.

Today's POTD takes a look at Albert Pujols in his last season with the St. Louis Cardinals.   The 31 year-old first baseman signed a 10-year deal worth $254-million with the Los Angeles Angels.

This photo was a clue Albert Pujols would split for greener pastures after 2011.  Get it?  :D 

A truly outstanding contemporary sports jounralist, Jonah Keri (who, head's up baseball fans of Canada, apparently is making his next project a book about the Montreal Expos), recently tweeted the following:

If you have a Hall of Fame ballot, these pieces on Tim Raines (http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tim-raines-case-for-the-hall-of-fame/) & Jack Morris (http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/jack-morris-babblefest-2009/) are worth reading.

The links point to two separate stories written by Friend of Batter's Box Tom Tango, and they are worth the read for anyone who has an opinion about Raines' and/or Morris' HOF candidacy. (Spoiler alert: Tangotiger gives one yea and one nay ....)

As noted in the thread directly below, ESPN is reporting the Los Angeles Angels have signed free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols and left-hander C.J. Wilson.  Pujols is reportedly receiving a 10-year deal worth $250-million while Wilson will get five years and $77.5-million dollars.

A ton of stuff to report.

Albert Pujols is signing with the Angels for 10 years at $25 million + per year.
Evidently the Vernon Wells contract isn't hampering them too much, as they are also reported to be signing CJ  Wilson for 5 years, $75 million.

Miami/Florida continued its busy offseason by signing Mark Buehrle to a 4 year, $58 million deal.

In Toronto news, the Blue Jays DFA'd Brian Jeroloman again in order to make room for Kelly Johnson, who accepted arbitration.
The team also rumored to be involved in negotiations around Gio Gonzalez. (h/t @mlbtr)

The Jays also didn't take or lose anyone in the Rule 5 Draft, though they did select three players in the minor league portion of the draft - Gabriel Jacobo, Hector Alvarez and Javier Avendano

More as it develops.

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi says second baseman Kelly Johnson has accepted arbitration from the Blue Jays.

Kelly Johnson on JaysVision during lineup introductions against the Yankees September 18.  The 29 year-old, acquired from Arizona for second baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop John McDonald in late August, made $5.85-million in 2011.