Even though most of us have never met face to face we are linked in our enjoyment of the Blue Jays and our love of baseball. We share this bond so when something bad happens to one of us we can empathize that someone, whose virtual company we enjoy, is suffering.

Our own John Northey has recently lost his wife due to complications from childbirth. John now has four young children, including a newborn, to look after.

The Toronto Blue Jays will open and close the 2015 season on the road. They begin the year against the Jeter-less New York Yankees Monday, April 6 and finish out the year in Tampa Bay Sunday, October 4. The home opener is set for Monday, April 13 against the Rays.

While Blockbuster Video is disappearing the Blockbuster trade just showed up. Two big money contracts were just traded for each other, Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler. The trade makes positional sense for both teams, Texas used Mitch Moreland at first base this season and they had three players for two infield spots. The trade helps them at first base while opening a spot for Jurickson Profar at second.

Detroit lose a first baseman and free up some cash. The rumour is that Miggy Cabrera will move over to first with Kinsler on second. But the big reason for this trade might be to free up some cash to re-sign Max Scherzer.

Another week and a new thread for offseason chatter.

The GM meetings start today. There are usually few deals announced at these meetings but the discussions set the scene for the winter meetings in three weeks. Right around now free agents start narrowing down their suitors and getting into their real options including dollars. Reportedly some free agents will show up at the meetings for some face to face meetings and to apply pressure on the GM's by taking a lot of meetings.

By 5pm today we will know if the Blue Jays have extended a qualifying offer to Josh Johnson.  The qualifying offer does not guarantee that JJ will return but it seems inlikely that a team would sign Johnson and surrender a first round draft pick as well.

The World Series could end as soon as tonight, and the WS is closely followed by the hot stove season.  The general managers of the teams who have been eliminated have been talking and ideas are being floated.

One of those ideas hit the internets today when it was reported the Jays were interested in Gordon Beckham of the White Sox.

With all but two teams eliminated the chatter among general managers is picking up.  Most GM's say that after the season they take a few weeks to work through their needs and then identify possible trade matches with other teams.  The resulting discussions are being kicked off now to be continued at the general manager meetings to be held November 11-13 in Orlando.  And followed by the winter meetings, December 9-12.

Today Bob Elliott kicks off the rumour mill with catching news.

The Jays have announced coaching changes for 2014. In case you have erased it from your memory, the Jays starters had a terrible year while the hitters were OK when they were not injured.

So, the Jays have changed the hitting side of the coaching staff and retained the pitching coaches.

The Toronto Blue Jays will begin the 2014 season in Tampa Bay Monday, March 31. The home opener is against the New York Yankees Friday, April 4 at 7:07 pm.