Blue Jays second baseman Kelly Johnson shared a few thoughts on not only baseball but the NFL playoffs on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Friday afternoon.

Jays left fielder Eric Thames is part of the team's Winter Tour that is sweeping through Eastern Canada this week to spread the Blue Jays gospel.  He had a few interesting things to say during an interview on TSN 1050 in Toronto Thursday afternoon.

Even though Ryan Madson has found gainful employment for 2012, agent Scott Boras is taking issue with the Philadelphia Phillies after the free-agent closer signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati for $8.5 million.  Boras claims the Phillies backed out of a four-year, $44 million deal with his client before signing Jonathan Papelbon away from the Boston Red Sox.  Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says no such offer was made.

Ryan Madson saved 32 games for the Phillies in 2011, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.37 ERA along with 62 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings

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.

BlueJays.com reports catcher J.P. Arencibia and third baseman Brett Lawrie have been named to the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie Team.

J.P. Arencibia and Brett Lawrie have extra reason to celebrate after being named to the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie Team.  The two celebrate Arencibia's walk-off single against Orioles closer Kevin Gregg in a 5-4 victory at the Dome September 10.

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi says the Toronto Blue Jays have offered arbitration to four of the five players eligible to receive it.

Blue Jays arbitration-eligibles Kelly Johnson, Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Jose Molina and Shawn Camp are joined by a curious mascot.

It's a pretty good crowd for the Blue Jays.
And the manager gives me a smile.
'Cause he knows that it's me they've been coming to see
To forget about the Leafs for awhile.;D

As pointed out by Bauxite PeteMoss in this thread, the Blue Jays have re-claimed catcher Brian Jeroloman on waivers.  That comes after he was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates five days ago.  The Pirates designated Jeroloman for assignment after they signed free agent infielder Clint Barmes.

Brian Jeroloman signs an autograph for a fan in New Hampshire in 2009.

The Blue Jays made a series of roster moves Friday.  First, the club lost catcher Brian Jeroloman on waivers to Pittsburgh and also lost recent waiver claim, right-hander Cole Kimball, back to his original club - the Washington Nationals.  Second, the team picked up right-hander Drew Carpenter on waivers from San Diego. Third, the team added catcher Travis d'Arnaud, first baseman Mike McDade, righty Nestor Molina and lefty Evan Crawford to the 40-man roster.

Blue Jays mascot Ace wears the team's new uniform and ball cap.  He may have also been bidding adieu to catcher Brian Jeroloman, claimed on waivers by Pittsburgh Friday.

The Blue Jays have claimed right-handed reliever Cole Kimball on waivers from the Washington Nationals.  The 26 year-old made his major league debut with Washington this season but tore the labrum of his shoulder in July.

Cole Kimball posted an ERA of 1.93 and a WHIP of 1.357 in 14 innings with the Nationals in 2011.

The return of professional baseball in London, Ontario is off to a controversial start.  The London Rippers will begin play in the independent Frontier League in 2012.  The nickname was introduced Tuesday and its likeness to serial killer Jack The Ripper is drawing plenty of criticism.   London City Council has asked the club to reconsider its moniker.

The Florida Marlins are no more.  The Fish unveiled their new look for the 2012 season as they move into their new ballpark.

Miami Marlins players model the new black, orange, gray and white uniforms they will be wearing next season.  The players in attendance were Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison, Emilio Bonifacio, former Jay John Buck and Omar Infante.

It's the off-season, let's play a game.

"What are the worst professional sports (not necessarily  limited to baseball) uniforms of all time?"

A few opening caveats and nominations ...

Thanks to the inconsistent genius (today is an "up" day) of Mother Goose & Grimm, in case you missed today's funny papers, we have a baseball joke time-stamped approx. 1960 ...

Game 6 of the World Series now goes Thursday night, with Game-Seven-If-Necessary to follow on Friday.

Elsewhere...

The Toronto Blue Jays have taken 28 year-old righthander Jesse Chavez off the waiver wire from the Kansas City Royals.

Jesse Chavez has pitched for three major league clubs and drafted by two others.