Baseball Prospectus' AL 2008 Internet Baseball Awards have been announced, and Toronto's Roy Halladay placed a strong second in the balloting, trailing only Cleveland SP Cliff Lee, in what could be a preview of the BBWAA Cy Young results.

Though Halladay finished a fair pace behind Lee -- he was more than 25 percent back -- it's worth noting that the good Doctor's final ballot tally was greater than the totals of the third place through eighth place finishers (Lester, F-Rod, Daisuke, Rivera, E. Santana, Mussina) combined.

A.J. Burnett finished 12th in the Cy Young voting. No Blue Jay position player made the top 15 in MVP (which went to Dustin Pedroia), though Halladay was 10th (Lee finished 5th); nor did any Jay crack the top 10 for Rookie of the Year (which went to Evan Longoria).

In a move that was widely expected, the Jays have picked up the option on catcher Rod Barajas for next season. 

The Philadelphia Phillies ended their 28 year-old championship drought by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in Game 5 of the World Series Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.  Cole Hamels was named Series MVP.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed former Orioles hurler Adam Loewen to a minor league deal.  The Surrey, B.C. native is trying to follow in the footsteps of Rick Ankiel by becoming a position player.  The Jays also claimed right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington off waivers from Cleveland.  To make room on the roster, outfielder Kevin Mench has been designated for assignment.

Ranger shortstop edges Jeter, Pujols for 12th annual honor

Hot of the e-mail "presses" of The Newberg Report ...

The Major League Baseball Players Association has announced that Michael Young is the winner of the 2008 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award,presented to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement."  Among the off-field ventures ...

The Blue Jays claimed Dirk Hayhurst off waivers from the San Diego Padres on Monday.

It's official, Tom Cheek was #3 on the fan vote this year.

Sportsnet.ca is reporting Paul Godrey is stepping down as president and CEO at the end of the year, ending his eight year association with the club.

It is expected to be confirmed today that Shaun Marcum will need to undergo Tommy John surgery, which would put him out of the lineup for approximately a year (which would really mean 17 months, until March 2010). Thanks to various posters for the heads up.

After posting a Q & A feature about major and minor league affilations on their official website last week, the Syracuse Chiefs are about to end their 31-year marriage with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Chiefs president Ron Gersbacher told the Syracuse Post-Standard that the club will be looking for a new major affiliate for 2009.