Today's POTD shines the spotlight on the Jays 2010 closer.

Kevin Gregg shown on JaysVision prior to his May 16 appearance against Texas. 

The POTD captures the home run swing of the home run king.

José Bautista gets ready to face Tampa Bay's James Shields at the Dome August 7.

Everywhere else other than Baseball North, the big story in baseball has been dominated by one certain José Alberto Pujols Alcántara, better known as Albert Pujols.  A negotiating deadline set by Pujols for contract talks with the St. Louis Cardinals came and went this week without a new deal.  If Pujols sticks to his word, he will not negotiate during the 2011 season and become a free agent. 

Albert Pujols' game face can be seen as he stares down his bat during batting practice at the Dome June 24.

Jose Bautista signed a $65 million contract today but the biggest news of the day for him was his elevation to the Batter's Box Banner.  Ricky Romero joins him in a tribute to the club leaders of the hitters and the pitchers.

We hope you enjoy it.

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)

Gary Sheffield, who did not play in the majors in 2010, officially announced his retriement from the game today. Linked only loosely to the steroids scandal of recent vintage, the ex-Brewer-Padre-Marlin-Dodger-Brave-Yankee-Tiger-Met believes he belongs among baseball's enshrined:

"I am sure it will be mentioned and debated but from my standpoint I know who is in the Hall of Fame," Sheffield told the newspaper. "A lot of them don't belong in the Hall of Fame. If someone wants to debate me, check the stats."

So, Bauxites, whatchathink? Will the Hall be open to inducting a new Sheff someday soon?

Today's POTD looks at five year Blue Jay Brian Tallet.

Lefty Brian Tallet plays catch with his kid on Father's Day at the Dome June 20.

Faster than a Delorean, the Toronto Blue Jays have come to terms with speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.  Podsednik, who split last season with the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, could have been a Dodger again in 2011 but turned down a team option earlier in the off-season.

Scott Podsednik leads off from first during a game in Toronto April 21.

UPDATE February 17 @ 9:00 am:  Bio information added.

Bill Risley's claim to fame as the last Toronto Blue Jay to go to Arby's may still be intact.  Monday's arbitration hearing involving home run king Jose Bautista and the team has been postponed until Friday, leading to speculation the two sides could hammer out a long term deal.

Robert MacLeod of The Globe & Mail has comments from second baseman Aaron Hill and reliever Jason Frasor who hope the 54 home run man is back in the fold for 2011 and beyond.

It's 2-14 on the calendar, #2 and #14 are the numbers John Buck wore in his career with the Royals, the catcher is always #2 on the scorecard and Buck continued to wear #14 with the Jays in 2010.  Good enough reasons for Buck to make the Valentine's Day edition of the POTD.

John Buck shown on JaysVision during the lineup introduction against San Francisco June 20.

Okay, it's Valentine's Day, so 'fess up ... who's your all-time baseball "crush"?

Not your favorite player, necessarily; not even necessarily a player on your favorite team. In fact, let's make that a rule -- step outside the "family" boundaries of your favorite team(s) and tell us who that one player is who, for whatever reason (one you might not even be able to articulate) you just could not help yourself, you had to root for him.

For me? That's easy. It was The Red Baron himself -- Thurman Clyde "Rusty" Greer ...

Our very own three division sixty team fantasy league is back for another campaign.

Today's POTD features Scott Downs, who has pitched for four Canadian teams in his professional career.

Scott Downs throws a pitch against his future employers, the Los Angeles Angels, at the Dome April 18.

The battle for starting pitcher jobs is likely to be one of the most interesting contests of spring training.  There are several new pitchers looking for their first professional assignment.  Will Deck McGuire and Asher Wojciechowski get assigned to Lansing or Dunedin?  Will any of the kids get to start in Lansing?  Is Henderson Alvarez ready for AA?  Who will get the fifth starting job on these teams?

All of this ignores the battle at the major league level for the #4 and #5 jobs.  And wait until you see the battle at Lansing, they could fill two teams with starters.

The final hitting position in our series is outfielders.  We are not writing a story on designated hitters, in the minor leagues the DH is usually filled by rotation.  Sometimes you have two good players at a position, for example last season Dunedin had Travis d'Arnaud and Yan Gomes, both catchers who were hitting well.  The DH position could be used to get extra at-bats for both.  The DH position also allows a team to get at-bats for the reserves. 

Outfield is not considered a position of strength for the Jays but there are several outfielders whose 2011 performance will be closely watched.  Can Darin Mastroianni handle AAA?  Same question for Adam Loewen?  How will Moises Sierra return from an injury filled year?  Will Anthony Gose improve his hitting?  Those are some of the more interesting story lines for 2011.