The Toronto Blue Jays are jumping on the latest trend, and fired manager John Gibbons. MLB.com is reporting that former manager Cito Gaston has been named as his replacement. The Jays are currently in last place in the AL East, 10.5 back from the Red Sox.

Hotfoot tidbit: Gibbons was selected by the Mets in the 1980 draft, catching 18 games over the 84 and 86 seasons with the team. His final game in the majors was with the 86 World Series team, he finished with 11 hits and 2 RBIs.

And Gary Carter misses his chance once again.

AOL Fanhouse relays a report from Jo Piazza (no relation) of the New York Daily News who hears the Yankees and Blue Jays have no trouble fraternizing in the company of scantily clad ladies.

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees Wednesday night, but there was no ill will between the two teams later that evening when some of the players showed up at Rick’s Cabaret to, um, blow off some steam.

The Blue Jays bought the Yanks their first round of drinks.

‘Later, they even ‘traded’ some of Rick’s Girls. Multiple blonds and brunettes danced for both teams,’ our snitch says.

‘Dancer” Karen (34C-23-35) said, ‘I love the Yankees, but the Toronto guys had a lot of class. Oh yeah, they were great tippers.’

We take this news with a bit of tongue in cheek and with the knowledge that Jo Piazza has not been completely accurate with her reporting. Recently she alluded to tennis star Andy Roddick being single just days before he announced his engagement.

We can never resist a good Yankee PR disaster though.

Hat tip to Dan D for the news. 

Former Met reliever Armando Benitez has signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays. Benetiz had a 2.70 ERA with the Mets before being traded for…well, no one really. A bunch of guys who combined appeared in six Met games.

Benitez is best known for choking in big games, and for that time he was with the Giants and balked Jose Reyes twice.

Good look, and remember: they call ham bacon there, and maple syrup goes on everything. Who are we kidding, I’ll see you in Syracuse when the Jays realize thats the highest level you deserve to play at.

Ken Rosenthal at Foxsports.com is reporting that the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays are on the verge of completing a swap of their 3rd Basemens, Scott Rolen and Troy Glaus.

Rolen batted 262 with 8 Home Runs and 58 RBIs in 112 games last year. Glaus appeared in only 115 games, batting 265 with 20 Homers and 62 RBIs

Andrew Baggarly in the San Jose Mercury News reports that the San Francisco Giants are considering a deal that would send young RHP Tim Lincecum to the Toronto Blue Jays for All-Star outfielder Alex Rios.

The Giants have a number of young arms, including Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Noah Lowry but are looking to add some punch to their offense.

Rios is arbitration-eligible, and according to Baggarly’s industry sources it is estimated he would command at least $6 million next season. He could become a $10 million-a-year player even before hitting free agency after the 2010 season if he continues producing at his current pace.

Baggarly writes that some in baseball wonder if the Giants have concerns about Lincecum’s durability because of his slight build and high-effort delivery. 

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that there are indications that the Mets have inquired about Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett.

Burnett, 30, went 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 25 starts last season for Toronto. He hasn’t had a complete season since he signed with the Blue Jays before the 2006 season, though he has been effective when he has been healthy. He is due $36 million over the next three seasons, but he can opt out of his contract after next year.

Gorden Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs are currently the team to beat in the race to sign OF Kosuke Fukudome. The White Sox, Padres, Mariners, Rangers and Giants have reportedly had serious interest in signing him.

The report also has a couple of trade rumors regarding the Cubs. As it stands right now, Mark Prior appears likely to land in his hometown of San Diego if dealt this offseason, though the Reds have also been linked to the 27-year old southpaw.

Also, Wittenmyer notes that the Toronto media have had reports out that suggest the Jays may pursue Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, who is prepping a return to the rotation next year.

Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN today that he will listen to offers for A.J. Burnett, who has an opt out clause next winter.

“If someone blew us away, we’d be foolish not to listen. If someone came to us tomorrow and said, ‘We’ll give you this, this and this for him,’ we’d be foolish not to look at it.”

Burnett is in the second year of a five-year, $55 million contract. He will receive $12 million in each of the next three seasons.

Burnett was 10-8 last season with a 3.75 ERA last season but has been plagued with injuries, making a total of 46 starts in the last two seasons.