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2005 finish: 80-82, 3^rd place in AL East

Manager: John Gibbons (3rd season)

Free agents: None

On the block: IF Eric Hinske, 2B Orlando Hudson

Looking for: Starting pitcher, corner outfielder or infielder, reliever, backup catcher

Incoming: IF John McDonald

What’s going on: The Jays could be major players this winter, as the payroll can jump from the mid-$50-million range up to the mid-$80s thanks to a huge cash outlay from owner Ted Rogers. That will put the Jays in the A.J. Burnett hunt – he already has visited the city — as well as any other top free agent they desire. Adding a Burnett or Kevin Millwood to Roy Halladay, Ted Lilly, Josh Towers and Gustavo Chacin would set up a very solid rotation, or they could add a closer such as B.J. Ryan and move Miguel Batista back to the rotation. They also need at least one more power bat — two if possible — either at a corner outfield or infield spot, with a deal for Kevin Mench a possibility. Arbitration-eligible Towers got a two-year, $5.2-million deal. Disappointing Eric Hinske, who never has approached his 2002 Rookie of the Year numbers, could be traded. They also could move defensive whiz Orlando Hudson, clearing the way for the anticipated double-play combination of Aaron Hill and Russ Adams. If J.P. Ricciardi makes all the right moves, this is your most-improved team in the AL.

HOT STOVE LEAGUE Click for the latest on your favorite teams AL EAST Baltimore Boston N.Y. Yankees Tampa Bay Toronto NL EAST Atlanta Florida N.Y. Mets Philadelphia Washington AL CENTRAL Chi. White Sox Cleveland Detroit Kansas City Minnesota NL CENTRAL Chi. Cubs Cincinnati Houston Milwaukee Pittsburgh St. Louis AL WEST Anaheim Oakland Seattle Texas NL WEST Arizona Colorado Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco

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Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

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