Jays win the businessman's special.

Don't need to discuss much.  Gustavo Chacin makes his way back to Toronto with a fine outing on a day when the affiliates went 4-1. 

A hearty welcome back to Alex Rios, who scored two runs in yesterday's lunchtime win over the Baltimore Orioles.  In today's photo, he's watching a ball sail foul:

And did I mention I moved out
I got my own place off of South
And I've been living hand to mouth
For going on a year by now
And yes I still see El around
It's different but I can't say how
She cut her hair it's back to brown
She's living with her boyfriend now

A bullpen implosion makes short work of a strong outing from a rookie starter.

Dustin Majewski's walk off home run was the highlight of the night in the minors. The affiliates went 2-5 on the night.

When I first saw "Charles Chulk" on a list of Southern League ERA leaders in 2002, my mental image was of a schoolteacher, or perhaps an explorer, on the mound. Not quite right. Vinnie was, and is, young, eager and straightforward, with his front teeth sometimes protruding in front of his pursed bottom lip on the mound as he delivers the ball.

Here's Troy Glaus chatting with Marty Pevey at first base:

The P-Jays rebound from an ugly 14-1 loss to put it in the win column with a standout performance from their top player, as the Toronto farm records 3 wins against 1 loss.

That's more like it

Wouldn't it be nice to be in a weak division, and have a young and talented team with a strong farm system? It can be yours for today. You are the General Manager of the Diamondbacks. The World Series of 2006 has just been completed (the Tigers blew away the Mets in 5 games in case you are interested), and you must plan for 2007 and beyond. Here's how Win Shares sees your club, and here are the financial details. You have just added Livan Hernandez and his $7 million salary for 2007. So, what would be your plan? Your team's 2006 payroll was $60 million, and with the success of the club, you can assume that the payroll budget for 2007 will be bumped to $70 million. If you feel the inclination to dip into the free agent pool, here is a list of possible free agents.

With only six shopping days until the Trading Deadline, look for chaos in the BBFL as owners scramble for those last-second fantasy gifts.

Here's some photo of the day respect for Brian Tallet, who spot-started yesterday in place of Theodore Roosevelt Lilly and his aching neck:

The world of baseball trades has not stopped spinning; one of the "big name" hurlers on the market has changed teams, as Washington has dealt Livan Hernandez to Arizona for a couple of minor leaguers.

Don't look now, but the Jays are closer to fourth than first after a mad, mad, mad, mad road trip and a not-so-good series with the defending champs. A weekday series with two afternoon games awaits the Orange Birds and Blue Birds, which is why this Advance Scout shows up obscenely early. We are so dedicated to our craft, we wake up before noon on a holiday.

In this Scout, you'll find a pitching rotation that keeps changing on us up to the last minute, a team that has not lost their last zillion games in a row, and a couple of names you thought you'd never see again. Naturally, it all starts with John Halama.

On to the Advance Scout!