Snapshots Around the AL East
Though the Boston rumor mill may be idling at the moment, the rest of the AL East is gaining momentum. Here’s a summary of the recent rumors and additions from around the division – minus Curtis Granderson: - According to MLBTradeRumors, the Yankees are planning on adding an additional starting pitcher “by the New Year.” Including the names tied to New York are Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez. - Yankee’s centerfielders Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera have drawn some interest from the Cubs, says FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (about ¼ of the way down the page). - The Yankees signed Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson to a reported one-year, $5.5 million deal. He would likely slide in as DH for New York. Though Johnson delivered little power last season for Washington, the Yankee’s right field stands and Johnson’s OBP should play well in the Bronx. - The Orioles made some noise signing former Atlanta Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez to a two-year, $12 million deal. Gonzalez tore through the National League last season, striking out 90 in 74.1 innings on his way to a 2.42 ERA. - Baltimore also added Garrett Atkins to a one-year deal for $4.5 million, with an $8.5 million club option for 2011. Atkins, who hit .226/.308/.342 over 354 at-bats last season, was linked to the Red Sox around the trade deadline. - To finalize the Cleveland-Tampa Bay deal for Kelly Shoppach, the Indians received right-hander Mitch Talbot. Talbot threw 54.1 innings in AAA last season, totaling 40 strikeouts and 18 walks. Shoppach is a very interesting name for the Rays. An ex-Red Sox farmhand who appeared in nine games for Boston in 2005, the catcher hit .214/.335/.399 in 2009. - Last week, the (Devil) Rays signed quad-A vets Ryan Shealy and Joe Dillon. Shealy, 30, finally produced at the major league level last season, slugging 7 home runs in 73 at-bats on his way to a .301/.354/.603 line. Dillon, 34, last had a productive season in 2007 at AAA, where he hit .317/.405/.610 with 20 home runs in 315 at-bats.
