There are many different ways to rank the strength of the thirty minor league farm systems. Some pundits look at depth, others at how close the players are to the major leagues. Baseball America's Jim Callis looks at star potential and he doesn't see much of it in the Blue Jay system. As a result Baseball America has ranked the Jays as the 25th best, or if you prefer the 6th worst, minor league system in baseball.

He’s faster than a speeding rocket, more powerful than a big train, able to leap flying bats with a single bound…it’s Superpitcher.

Roger Clemens is obviously a Hall of Famer. The great starters of our time, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Clemens, are among the best ever. If the 1980s boasted the best leadoff hitters in Henderson and Raines and the 1930s had first basemen Gehrig, Foxx and Greenberg, the 90s will hopefully be remembered 50 years from now not for its muscle-bound sluggers, but for its fine starting pitchers. This time, our measuring stick for Clemens will not be the Hall of Fame, but Walter Johnson, the other reasonable contender for the crown as the best right-handed pitcher ever. As is our wont, we will briefly review Clemens’ illustrious career.

Sure, Detroit, West Pennsylvania and San Pedro de Macorís are nice places, but can they boast the first man on the moon, Opie Taylor, the host of Reading Rainbow, and the director of Howard the Duck? Or, if you prefer some sort of baseball connection, who could be more related to the pastime than Tom Selleck himself?

According to ESPN.com (and many other sources), recently deposed GM Theo Epstein has rejoined the Red Sox "baseball operations department in a full-time -- but otherwise unspecified -- position."

So the question to you Bauxites is ...

Batter's Box reader Marc Hulet has an interesting Jays-centric project in development, and he'd like your help in shaping it.

To that end, he has sent us a short, six question survey that he'd like as many Bauxites as possible to fill out:

On Friday, November 25th I had the pleasure of spending an hour talking to Toronto’s Vice-President of Consumer Marketing, Laurel Lindsay, in Kingston. Laurel, who graduated from Queen’s with a Special Field Degree in Communications in 1991, returned to her alma mater to give a talk at the Queen’s Sports Industry Conference that weekend and she generously agreed to speak to me an hour before her evening address to the conference.

Ted Lilly avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1 year, $4 million contract. Lilly can also earn up to $200,000 more based on innings pitched.

The Jays exchanged figures with Hillenbrand and Walker. Hillenbrand has asked for $6.7 million with the Jays offering $5.0 million and Walker has asked for $850,000 with the Jays offering $575,000.

Additionally, the Jays acquired LHP Brian Tallet from the Indians in exchange for RHP Bubbie Buzachero. Tallet was recently designated for assignment by the Indians.

The Blue Jays agreed to terms with Lyle Overbay and Scott Downs for one year contracts, avoiding arbitration.

Treat this thread however you want ... roundup, speculation, whatever. But share your Rance Mulliniks memories, too, as the man turns 50 today!

Batter's Box Challenge: The best (as judged by, ahem, me) limerick or haiku birthday greeting/memory to or about Rance wins a No-Prize, courtesy of your favorite interactive magazine!

The new administration in Tampa completed their first significant trade sending relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter to the Dodgers for former top prospect Edwin Jackson and lefty prospect Chuck Tiffany.

Another Hall of Names submission from erstwhile Bauxite Anders Whist, who today wakes up the echoes of old Tiger Stadium with this All-Detroit squad.

No, Mike "Thriller" Jackson didn't make the team (he's from Houston) but these Detroit Dandies would give many other squads a decent run for their money. The lineup's not much to look at –- Ernie Witt is DHing, so that might give you some indication. But when John Smoltz isn't good enough to crack the rotation -- he's the closer -- then you're cooking. Pat Hengten wasn't about to beat out Smoltz as closer, but he is one of three ex-Jays on ...

Pinch-Hit submitted by Craig Burley

Pennsylvania's rural Washington county, near the Ohio border, can put together a very thin but overall solid team. Washington County boasts the largest number of covered bridges of any county in the U.S., and two (soon to be three) Hall of Fame ballplayers. Thanks to the former, we're proud to introduce ...

During his career, there were questions whether Jack Morris might be a Hall of Famer. He seemed to find his way to winning teams, and to pitch deep into games and win more than his share. His 10 inning shutout of the Braves in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series was thought to be the crowning jewel on his career. Let's take a second look.

Baseball America released their top ten prospects on-line today. The list was available to magazine subscribers a week ago. The top ten are, in order, Dustin McGowan; Ricky Romero; David Purcey; Adam Lind; Josh Banks; Casey Janssen; Brandon League; Franciso Rosario; Curtis Thigpen; and Vince Perkins.

Pinch-Hit by Colin Jaffray (username: 5hoursahead)

I couldn't resist finding out if we could put up a team from over the pond here [Editor's Note: That'd be the British Isles, kids] and I'm surprised, but delighted to say that we can. I had to take advantage of a few multi-skilled players and it shouldn't surprise anyone that the majority racked up most of their playing time in the late 19th century.

That said, this team ain't too shabby considering their home nations ...