Batter's Box favourite Aaron "Named for Hank" Reynolds and his wife Vanessa were blessed with a baby boy early this morning. Further details will be forthcoming; the new parents have more important things to do right now.

I know I speak for all of us here at Batter's Box when I wish the entire Named for Hank family health and happiness for years to come.

Correction by Joe: Theodore was born late on the 23rd, not early on the 24th. An extra-early Christmas present!

Moises Alou signs with the Giants to play for his father. Feliz Navidad, Felipe.

Today's QOTD is:

Which extended family has had the most members in organized pro baseball (major and minor leagues) in North America? If you don't want to try the puzzler, then how about telling us about your favourite baseball family?

The Alous would have had at least 4, Jesus, Matty, Felipe and Moises, but I'll bet there is a family out with more.

I figure it'll be slow for news over the next few days, so hopefully this MYOR thread will suffice.

Well, I was gonna ask him where he came from, when we heard the bullets fly
Comin’ through the brush, and all around our ears
It was then I saw this big marine light a fire in his eye
And it was strange, but suddenly, I forgot my fears

At age 28, Alex Rodriguez had his least productive season (.286/.375/.512) since he was 21, and he was moved to third base to accommodate Derek Jeter. Still, the question about Alex is not whether he will be a Hall of Famer, but where he stands against the very best who have played the position.

Anything interesting going on?

Rotoworld is reporting a trade between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres.

Dave Roberts, a fourth-outfielder type heads west. Jay Payton and his 3.5 million dollar salary (according to Dugout Dollars), infielder Ramon Vazquez, pitching prospect David Pauley and 2.65 million dollars (that's right for the "cash-strapped" Red Sox).

Instead of using my own laziness as an excuse, I'm so cold that I can barely type. What's out there in Blue Jays news today?

Here's your Jay winter league report:
Puerto Rican League-Caguas
Rob Cosby- .263/.309/.434
Miguel Negron- .228/.365/.329

Venezuelan League
Zulia
Guillermo Quiroz- .245/.359/.491
Lara
Rodney Medina- .309/.377/.400
Oriente
Jorge Sequea- .241/.365/.443
Ismael Ramirez- 35.2 IP, 31 H, 9 W, 28K, 2 HR allowed, 4 HBP, 3.71 ERA, 5-1

As you may have read, the Jays were in the hunt for pitcher Matt Clement until the last minute. (Or maybe the fourth-last minute. Or maybe 11:07 or something.) The question: how much would Clement have helped the team had he been signed?

ESPN has reported that the Jays have signed two of their major league players to contracts:

Justin Speier will receive $1.9 million in 2005 and $2.25 million in 2006. He made $1.6 million last season.

John McDonald will receive $400,000 in 2005. Last season with the Indians he made $324,400.

We now know that Matt Clement won't be a Blue Jay, as he signed a 3 year, $25 million dollar deal with the Red Sox. At that price I'm quite happy the Jays didn't try to top Boston's offer.

Saturday Roundup:

Peter Gammons of ESPN has reported that Mark Mulder has been sent to the Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Danny Haren and Kiko Calero, and catching prospect Daric Barton. (BBRRS: Treacle) So over the last two days the A's have:

Lost
----
SP Mark Mulder
SP Tim Hudson

Gained
----
SP Danny Haren
SP Dan Meyer
RP Kiko Calero
RP Juan Cruz
OF Charles Thomas
C Daric Barton (minors)

We're generally looking to cut back on the roundball talk hereabouts, so there won't be many Boxing Out threads. But today's news that the Raptors have traded Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks merits an exception. Who won? Who lost? Who wants to start a pool on the when Vince rips the organization/teammates/city/fans in the New York press? Have fun.