So what's going on?

Tim Kurkjian on ESPNews (the television station; nothing online yet) reports that the Yankees are back in the Santana sweepstakes -- surprise! Hank Steinbrenner was misleading everyone about the "deadline"! -- which may push the Red Sox to sweeten their offer, apparently since the Dodgers are also now in discussion with the Twinkies.

Speaking of the Dodgers, the Andruw Jones deal has apparently jacked up Aaron Rowand's asking price, even with LAD now out of the bidding ... and yes, Barry Bonds is talking to Oakland (another "surprise!", right?) but has some, um, hurdles to clear first.

What are you hearing?

Andruw Jones makes his way to the Dodgers - 2 years, $36 million. I guess those CF signings didn't work out so well for the LA teams last year.

And it's not just because it's getting cold out!

Thank you, thank you - I'll be here all winter!

Tigers get Cabrera and Willis for Maybin, Miller and several other minor leaguers.

Jose Guillen is the latest to strike it big - 3 years and $36 million.

• I think the "Welcome Back Kotter" theme is appropriate as the original Jays logo is back!!   Hey, the song is pretty much the same age as the franchise itself!!

Looks like the White Sox and D'Backs have made a trade:  Carlos Quentin to the Sox for minor league prospect 1B Chris Carter.

The Winter Meetings begin next week and sportswriters are already complaining about free accomodations. Anyway, the Jays shouldn't be expected to make any bold moves, but youneverknow.

"Our approach will be a little different in the sense that we're not going there sitting on a free agent or waiting on a free agent, but we are going there trying to be as aggressive as we can," Ricciardi said in an interview this week. "What this will allow us to do is really sit back and ask clubs point blank, 'What are you trying to do? Would you do this for this?' It gives us a chance to put as many plates in the air as possible."

The Jays Double-A affiliate has introduced new logos and new uniforms for the 2008 season. 

When Jason Kendall gets $4.25 million guaranteed from the Brewers you know there's not many catchers available this offseason.

The Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers of America have released their 2007 award winners. Roy Halladay was named pitcher of the year; Alex Rios player of the year; Jesse Litsch top rookie; and Dustin McGowan most improved player.

This article in the Sun again mentioned the Jays retaining Josh Towers.

Per ESPN.com:

Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning while at home with his family in Florida, agent Damon Lapa confirmed to ESPN.com.

The cause of Kennedy's death could not immediately be determined, Lapa said.

Update:  A Fox Sports headline through Google said: "Pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday, apparently from a brain aneurysm, according to a major-league source."  However, since then the headline and text of the article omitted that detail

After a visit to the Hardball Times I saw that today was the deadline to finalize the 40 man roster for this year's class. The Jays 40 man roster is currently full.

NYY 3B Alex Rodriguez is your 2007 AL MVP.

It was not a unanimous selection, as the Tigers' Magglio Ordonez took two first-place votes. But really, Maggs, you had a nice year ... MVP-worthy in some seasons. But not this one. Outside all the Boras shenanigans, A-Rod was the best player in the AL -- make that the best player in the big leagues! -- last seaon, and this hardware only validates that.

LATE ADD: PHI SS Jimmy Rollins named 2007 NL MVP.