Feliz Ano Nuevo

Sure, this is a little early, but here are wishes for everyone to have a happy new year from the Biscuit Crumbs staff. Nothing as eventful as last year's wishes, though I'll of course share my count again.

A review of my 2009 ...
r 744 blog entries, including this one. That's up from last year's 561.
r 518 stories, including some that have been written but won't appear until next week leading up to Troy's GMAC Bowl showdown with Central Michigan. Those are just the things I saved on my computer. That's up from last year's 464.

Oliveras to manage in Mexico

Former Biscuits coach Mako Oliveras has been named the manager of the Mexico City Red Devils. Oliveras managed the Double-A Binghamton Mets this year.

Talbot packaged to Tribe

Former Biscuits pitcher Mitch Talbot has been sent from the Rays to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade that netted the Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach. Talbot is out of minor-league options, so he'll have to make the Tribe out of spring training or pass through waivers.

Baseball America's top Rays prospects

Baseball America's list of the top 10 Rays prospects:

1. CF Desmond Jennings
2. RHP Jeremy Hellickson
3. RHP Wade Davis
4. LHP Matt Moore
5. SS Reid Brignac
6. SS Tim Beckham
7. RHP Alex Colome
8. LHP Jake McGee
9. LHP Alex Torres
10. RHP Nick Barnese

McGee and Torres should break camp with the Biscuits next year. Moore could, too, but those odds are slim.

BA lists a top 10 now and does a top 30 for its "Prospect Handbook."

We agreed on the top four in the same order and nine of the top 10 with my No. 12 being in their top 10 (Torres). We'll see in the handbook where they have my No. 9 (Kyle Lobstein).

Goldeyes continue local links

The Winnipeg Goldeyes kept up their ties to the area this weekend, re-signing shortstop Wes Long, an Auburn native. Long suffered a broken ankle in June that ended his season with a .343 average and 22 RBIs in 41 games. The Goldeyes, part of the independent Northern League, have also re-signed former Biscuits Vince Harrison and Josh Asanovich this fall.