MLBTR Originals: 12/25/11 – 12/31/11

There was no shortage of insightful original work published here at MLBTR during a slow news week. Here's a refresher in case you missed any of it the first time around …

• The Cubs closed in on a deal with free agent catcher Jason Jaramillo, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes learned.
• The Blue Jays signed left-hander Aaron Laffey to a split contract, Tim learned.
• Luke Adams looked at Giants righty Matt Cain as an extension candidate.
• Tim broke down the combined payrolls of MLB's teams by division. Yes, the AL East is in the front of the pack.
• Tim listed the 10 best remaining free agents and their possible destinations.
• Which agencies and GMs are most prone to hammering out extensions? Tim had a look.
• Tim compiled a list of arbitration eligible players who are candidates to sign extensions.
• Is your team searching for some pop in its lineup? Mike Axisa rounded up a list of a dozen power hitters who are still on the free-agent market.
• The Rays are known for extending their young players and could buy out Matt Joyce's years of arbitration eligibility, explained Mike.
• While the Giants may be focused on extending Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, Tim explored Madison Bumgarner's candidacy for an extension.
• Ben Nicholson-Smith checked in on the seven clubs that finished between 80-89 wins in 2011.
• With Phillies lefty Cole Hamels only a year away from a potential trip to free agency, Ben had a look at the southpaw's prospects for an extension.
• Ben examined what John Danks' extension could mean for Matt Garza, who is under team control for two more seasons.
• Tim held the weekly MLBTR chat. Here's the transcript.
• What have the teams with the lowest-scoring offenses in 2011 done so far this offseason? Ben checked in.
• Yu Darvish, Andrew Bailey and Michael Pineda were among the many topics covered in this week's batch of links from Baseball Blogs Weigh In, as rounded up by Mike.
• In an interesting thinkpiece, GMs from both the NBA and MLB spoke to Ben about what each sport can learn from the other.
• Mike compiled a list of remaining free agent relievers who have the ability to rack up strikeouts.
• Tyler Clippard has emerged as one of baseball's best relievers the past couple seasons, and he may be in line for an extension, as Mike explained.