MLB winter meetings preview: AL East

December 3, 8:26 PMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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With the annual winter meetings set to begin Monday at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, we'll take a look over the next six days at  all 30 teams. Leading off is the AL East.

TAMPA BAY RAYS (97-65, AL champs)

Arrivals: None;  Departures: LHP Trever Miller

Free agents: OF Rocco Baldelli, DH Cliff Floyd, IF/OF Eric Hinske

Needs: Right fielder, designated hitter, left-handed reliever

On the block: RHP Edwin Jackson or RHP Andy Sonnanstine

What's going on: Depite their lofty status as defending AL champs, the Rays still have one of the game's lowest payrolls. Fortunately for them, there is a market surplus of what they need, so they could land a strong right-handed bat on a short-term deal. Here's an educated guess: Juan Rivera. They would like to re-sign Baldelli, and need to add a reliever with Trever Miller gone and Troy Percival coming off back surgery.

BOSTON RED SOX (95-67, 2nd place)

Arrivals: RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Junichi Tazawa, RHP Wes Littleton;  Departures: OF Coco Crisp

Free agents: 1B/OF Mark Kotsay, RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Mike Timlin, IF Alex Cora, 1B Sean Casey, C David Ross, RHP Curt Schilling

Needs: Starting pitcher, middle-of-the-lineup hitter, catcher, backup infielder, fourth outfielder

On the block: SS Julio Lugo, RHP Clay Buchholz, prospects

What's going on: They will make a serious run at Mark Teixeira, and another top starting pitcher, possibly Derek Lowe. Jason Varitek has been offered salary arbitration, but it's uncertain if he'll accept and return. They have talked with Texas about a Jarrod Saltalamacchia-for-a-young-starting-pitcher deal. And they'll need to bolster their bench if Cora and Kotsay leave. Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli makes sense here.

NEW YORK YANKEES (89-73, 3rd place)

Arrivals: 1B/OF Nick Swisher;  Departures: RHP Mike Mussina, IF Wilson Betemit

Free agents:  LHP Andy Pettitte, OF Bobby Abreu, 1B Jason Giambi, C Ivan Rodriguez, 1B Richie Sexson, RHP Carl Pavano, RHP Sidney Ponson

Needs: Starting pitchers, first baseman or outfielder, reliever

On the block: 2B Robinson Cano, OF Hideki Matsui

What's going on: Their $140-million offer to CC Sabathia remains the biggest on the table, but they won't stop there, as two starting pitchers are needed. A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe are the next likely targets, and so could be Andy Pettitte at a reduced price. A top setup man should be next on the wish list, and Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira could become possibilities if Sabathia goes elsewhere. Could they get shut out entirely by the elite free agents? They could sign Orlando Hudson and trade Robinson Cano.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (86-76, 4th place)

Arrivals: None;   Departures: None

Free agents: RHP A.J. Burnett, C Gregg Zaun, OF Shannon Stewart, OF Brad Wilkerson, OF Kevin Mench

Needs: Starting pitcher, middle-of-the-lineup bat, shortstop, backup catcher

On the block: LHP B.J. Ryan or other relievers

What's going on: The death of owner Ted Rogers has cast a pall over the off-season, and the Jays already were in the midst of a front-office transition. The payroll could shrink in light of the weakening of the Canadian dollar, so they won't be taking on any big salaries. They offered Burnett arbitration, but he won't be back, and Shawn Marcum will miss 2009 after undergoing surgery. They do have relievers to deal, and who doesn't need bullpen help?

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (68-93, 5th place)

Arrivals: RHP Brad Hennessey, IF Donnie Murphy, IF Luis Hernandez;  Departures: None

Free agents: 1B Kevin Millar, IF Juan Castro, OF Jay Payton, IF Alex Cintron

Needs: Starting pitching, shortstop, middle-of-the-lineup bat, reliever

On the block: C Ramon Hernandez, 2B Brian Roberts, DH Aubrey Huff

What's going on: They must upgrade the rotation, which makes you wonder about reports of them dealing Garrett Olson. They will make runs at Baltimore native Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and other free-agent starting pitchers. Dealing Roberts, Huff or Hernandez could be revisited as this team has a long way to go to respectability, and needs to stockpile young talent.

Check out Rays examiner Rob Quinn;  Yankees examiner Pete Sabatini