HOT STOVE REPORT CARD: AL EAST

UPDATED: I started this list a couple of weeks ago as a "progress report", but never had the chance to continue. Now with pitchers and catchers reporting this week, effectively beginning Spring Training, and bringing the Hot Stove season to a close, it's a good time get this out there as a "report card". Again, we'll do these one division at a time. This first one has been updated, but the "needs" part has been taken out, instead we'll go with an expanded "report" section and an "overall" section.

* There are some notable players still out there like Johnny Damon, Felipe Lopez, and Russell Branyon, so we'll update these lists as we go.

**Please note unsigned players do not yet count as a loss.

NEW YORK YANKEES
Major Signings: Andy Pettitte, Nick Johnson, Randy Winn, Marcus Thames
Major Trade Acquisitions: Curtis Granderson, Javier Vasquez
Major Losses: Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Brian Bruney, Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson, Eric Hinske, Jerry Hairston Jr., Chien-Ming Wang
Report: The World Champs have been one of the big winners of the off-season while uncharacteristically setting a budget for themselves that they actually stuck to. They re-upped with one of their boys, Andy Pettitte, and brought back Javy Vasquez to the rotation. This gives them a solid 1-4, with the final spot most likely going to either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain. Vasquez was one last year's better pitchers, having a near Cy Young-worthy season with Atlanta. His first stay in NY ended rather badly, but this is a much more mature pitcher, and I think this was an excellent trade. With fan-favorite Melky Cabrera gone in this deal, center field now belongs to former Tiger, Curtis Granderson. This was the Yanks' biggest splash of the off-season, unloading a few very good prospects to grab a guy who, on paper, seems like a perfect fit for this team. Nick Johnson was also brought back, this time to fill the DH hole created by Hideki Matui's flight to the Angels. Johnson is a fantastic on-base machine and should slot into the number 2 hole Johnny Damon used occupy. To further cement Damon's departure, they brought in Randy Winn and Marcus Thames, both of whom will compete with Brett Gardner to fill the left field spot. I expect the incumbant to beat his older competitors and Winn to be the fourth outfielder.
Overall: I think the Yanks did well to replace Damon and Matsui, although the question remains should they have? There's no doubt that both men fit this team well, but you can't argue with a young player like Granderson, and if Johnson can stay healthy his OBP will make up for any lost power. The Vasquez trade is huge, as you're adding a Cy Young candidate to be your #3 or 4.
Grade: A

BOSTON RED SOX
Major Signings: John Lackey, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, Marco Scutaro
Major Trade Acquisitions: Jeremy Hermida, Bill Hall
Major Losses: Jason Bay, Billy Wagner, Casey Kotchman, Takashi Saito
Report: The Red Sox almost feel like a different team. Their core remains the same with the exception of Jason Bay going to the Mets. The plan is to move Jacoby Ellsbury to left, and their new acquisition Mike Cameron to patrol center. Cameron is an excellent center-fielder, but is aging. If unfazed by that he could be very valuable. They also added Adrian Beltre to play third base, even though they currently still have Mike Lowell on the roster. They were close to trading him to Texas, so don't be surprised if he's gone by Spring Training. Beltre and Cameron should make up for the loss of Bay's pop, and both provide excellent defense. Marco Scutaro finally became an everyday player in Toronto, did very well, and got himself a two year deal with a great team. If he can duplicate last season, Boston finally has themselves a shortstop. Bigger than all three of those is the signing of pitcher John Lackey. The Bulldog is a perfect fit for the Sox and gives them a hell of a rotation.
Overall: Boston did very well, and now has argueably the best rotation in baseball. They will lack some power lost by Bay, but Cameron will be good for 20-25 homers, and if Beltre finds his stroke again, they'll be fine.
Grade: A

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Major Signings: None
Major Trade Acquisitions: Rafael Soriano, Kelly Shoppach
Major Losses: Akinori Iwamura
Report: The Rays didn't do much on the free-agent front, but two trade acquisitions are worth talking about. First off, they traded for Rafael Soriano who will be their new closer, moving J.P. Howell to a set-up role. This gives them a nice one-two to close out games. They also acquired Kelly Shoppach from the Indians, which gives them a good catching platoon if Dioner Navarro can bounce back from a bad year. With the emergence of Ben Zobrist, the Rays shipped out Akinori Iwamura for more bullpen help. Aki was one of faces of their AL Championship team, and I don't think this happens had he not gotten injured last year. The Rays were one of the teams that flirted with Johnny Damon, but didn't have the room for him.
Overall: Another bat would've been good, but the Rays farm system is ripe and ready. Matt Joyce could be their starting Right Fielder, unless a second base prospect pushes Ben Zobrist to the outfield. Their rotation could've used a veteran presence as well, but that hasn't been the Rays' style.
Grade: B-

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Major Signings: John Buck, Alex Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Jose Molina
Major Trade Acquisitions: Brandon Morrow
Major Losses: Roy Halladay, Marco Scutaro, Brandon League
Report: The face of Toronto is gone, but the future looks bright. That pretty much sums up Toronto's off season so far. Roy Halladay, their ace and face of the franchise was finally traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for some very good prospects. Halladay made them credible, but now it will be up to their young pitching to become a force over the next few years. Brandon Morrow, acquired from the Mariners is an interesting acquisition because he can pitch in the rotation or possible anchor their bullpen. They've changed catcher and shortstop, weakening both positions, but again any major player here will come from their system sometime down the line. An interesting late signing has been Kevin Gregg who will compete for the closer role, and may have the best chance of breaking camp with the job. He does have the most experience of the candidates. They also flirted with Johnny Damon, but the team may yet grab a DH. Jermaine Dye or Carlos Delgado could fit in well on this team, performing DH duties while mentoring their young outfielders. Russell Branyon be an interesting choice as well, and a guy that could take over first base next year.
Overall: This one is pretty simple: I can't see 2010 being any good for them, but as early as 2011 you could start seeing a breakout. The Halladay trade brought over some good talent, so it'll be interesting to watch these guys grow.
Grade: B-

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Major Signings: Mike Gonzalez, Garrett Atkins, Miguel Tejada
Major Trade Acquisitions: Kevin Millwood
Major Losses: Chris Ray, Danys Baez
Report: Quietly, the O's have made some decent moves this off-season. First off, they answered their closer question mark with Mike Gonzalez, who is in his prime and gearing to go. He split a platoon closer role in Atlanta with Rafael Soriano, and funny enough both are now closing in the AL East. They bolstered the top of their rotation with the sturdy Kevin Millwood, who may do wonders for their young rotation. They also signed Garrett Atkins to play first base, and have returned Miguel Tejada to play 3rd. If Atkins can return to form, the O's have made a great cheap signing there. Tejada still has something left in his bat, and he did well in Balto the first time around. Promising rookie Michael Aubrey will get a look at first base as well, so their corner situation should be interesting this year.
Overall: O's fans should rejoice, their team is getting better. While not in the league of the top two yet, they should overtake Toronto this year and challenge the Rays as well. Their core of Markakis, Jones, and Guthrie are joined by the emergence of Nolan Reimold and some young pitching, and also with closer Gonzalez. I look forward to my yearly trip.
Grade: B+