AL East

If you're still waiting for the New York Yankees to make a blockbuster trade this offseason that will position them as front-runners for the American League pennant, then now is the appropriate time for you to return to your normal daily activities.

If the Tampa Bay Rays want to make a power play in what is a very deep AL East, they should consider signing the top free agent left on the open market: Speedy center fielder Michael Bourn.

Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona has a new book entitled Francona: The Red Sox Years, and it hits shelves on January 22.

Veteran left-hander Joe Saunders is increasingly becoming the source of opposing viewpoints among Baltimore Orioles fans. 

Saunders, 31, was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks in August 2012 in exchange for reliever Matt Lindstrom.

Former Boston Red Sox and current Cleveland Indians Manager Terry Francona has a book coming out with Boston Globe Columnist Dan Shaughnessy titled "Francona: The Red Sox Years." Hold on Red Sox fans. This is one you might want to pass up if you have any attachment to Red Sox ownership whatsoever. 

The market for Rafael Soriano was a very slow one this winter.

After opting out of his contract to become a free agent again, teams weren't jumping at the chance to lock up the closer, despite a strong 2012 campaign.

The Boston Red Sox have a number of prospects, including center fielder of the future Jackie Bradley Jr, who are on the horizon and nearly ready for their Fenway Park debut.

The Toronto Blue Jays are officially part of the discussion. 

The American League is crowded with top-level teams, and now the Blue Jays have to be included in that list. After adding two Cy Young-talented pitchers in R.A. Dickey and Josh Johnson, an above-average inning eater in Mark Buehrle and adding talent at the top of their lineup in Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera, the Jays are a legitimate threat. 

Just a month and change remains before the thrilling kickoff to spring training 2013.

As the thump and thwack and crunch of cleats scurry through our imaginations, questions remain regarding what the everyday lineup for the New York Yankees will look like this campaign.

One thing fans do know, however, is that Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki and Robinson Cano will be swinging at the top of the Yankees order come April.

The Boston Red Sox’s first base situation for the 2013 season got a little stickier with the news that the team is trying to change free agent Mike Napoli’s three-year, $39 million contract to a one-year deal.