Starting Rotation Could Separate Red Sox in AL East

With a deep and talented set of starters and plenty of prospects biding their time in Triple-A, the Red Sox's depth at starting pitching might prove to be a crucial advantage in the AL East.

Is the Red Sox Glass Full, Or Half-Empty?

Hunter Golden grapples with whether the Red Sox should make a deal for a reliever now, or remain patient.

Evaluating the AL East, Part One

With the offseason on the downswing, Daniel takes a look at how Boston's AL East competition stacks up in 2013.

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.

Arbitration and it’s impact on the Red Sox

The arbitration tender deadline has come and gone, and unsurprisingly, many players were not tendered arbitration contracts they had the right to accept or reject. Also unsurprisingly, Boston offered arbitration to its two eligible players: Jason Bay and Billy Wagner. Let's run through the implications for offering arbitration to the two, and then take a look at players who's possible Boston future was impacted by their club's decision.

The Real Closer

Brendan Donnelly is signed. J.C. Romero is signed. Along with Timlin, Okajima, Delcarmen, Tavarez, Snyder, Corey and Hansen, the bullpen…

Manny, It's all about Manny

There’s way too much stuff going on at the winter meetings for me to post any comprehensive article today. It’s…