Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
What's that they say about an East Coast Bias? In baseball, it's not exactly everywhere in the East, rather more centrally located within the confines of the American League East. And let's be fair, we aren't really talking about Baltimore.
Ten of the last 15 World Series participants from the American League came from the AL East. If you go back another two full seasons, it's 12 of the last 17, with every team but the Orioles making the Fall Classic. Even with a World Series appearance in 2008, it's not really fair to include Tampa Bay in the AL East bias discussion. And, for that matter, Toronto is only in the discussion until they eventually trade Roy Halladay and fall back into irrelevancy for the next decade or so.
Which leaves Boston and New York. It doesn't seem like it's news in MLB unless it's happening to the Red Sox or Yankees. When New York finished off a blockbuster trade for Curtis Granderson last week, all eyes were on Boston to see what the next move would be.
With Jason Bay talks subsiding (for now), reports are coming in that the Red Sox are close to signing John Lackey. Lackey, regarded as the top starting pitcher on the free agent market, underwent a physical on Monday morning and is close to an agreement in the A.J. Burnett range of five years, $82.5 million. Per Rosenthal, the fifth year may be a sticking point for Boston, but the deal is all but done. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN confirmed the physical but wrote that a source "said that it is 'not likely' that an agreement would be in place or an announcement would be made by the end of the day Monday."
(UPDATE: SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Lackey has agreed to a five-year $85 million deal with Boston.)
Rosenthal also noted that the Sox are looking to re-sign Josh Beckett to a long-term deal as well. Beckett is entering the final year of his contract and has slightly better numbers than Lackey, and is two years younger. That's a lot of money to throw at two pitchers, but clearly, the Red Sox have it.
Right now, the two teams in the mix for Halladay are reportedly the Angels and Phillies, but don't be surprised if the Yankees counter this move by the Red Sox with a more concerted effort to get Halladay.
And that's the moral of the MLB offseason so far this year, and every year. Sure it's AL East bias for reporters to throw the Yankees and Red Sox names into the mix of any big trade or any high-priced free agent. But not when they keep signing everyone.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Your little hype doesn’t actually give the real story… The Redsox have to keep up with the Yankees with any chance to compete … they have less money than the NY teams and have to get creative with their team finances … they stay under the Lux cap and are usually around 4th in total payroll so your RICH team doesn’t really tell the whole story… The west teams can claim and claim that it is unfair to them but that isn’t the case… in fact it is unfair to anyone but the unrestricted yankees who NOBODY can match the payroll to try and keep up.
I’m a eMpTyland native and I even can see what goes on in the East!
by Gweg on Dec 14, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions
i agree gweg. No team can compete with yankees none. when one team spends 220 mil on salary and the next highest is 150 mil theres a problem. when some teams are lucky to spend 22 mil on salary its even bigger problem. until baseball gets a salary cap and true revenue sharing like football has its always gonna be an unfair gap for the yanks and even for the sox and phillies where teams like pitt and kc are concerned. I just turly think mlb needs a overhaul in how they share revenues but the yanks dont want it so it wont happen. Its sad when one owner cant ell 29 other owners im sorry but we arent ever doing the revenue sharing fully cause we like being able to spend 75 plus mil more then everyone else.
by redsoxfan32 on Dec 14, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions
I’m a lifelong Red Sox fan and while realizing my team has the advantage in dollars over most, believe the current lack of a salary cap to be utterly ridiculous. And Selig is retiring when??
by ex35 on Dec 14, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions
Let me know when the Red Sox start voting for salary caps and increased revenue sharing.
by ShaunPhillips on Dec 14, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions
The A.L East is a two horse race, it’s the Yankees. the Red Sox and everyone else! So if a free-agent doesn’t land in N.Y you can bet he’ll end up in Boston! Yes, I agree it’s about the moola but if your looking to win a World Series you can’t go wrong with either of those teams so that has alot to do with players signing with the Yankees and Red-Sox.
by Steel817 on Dec 14, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions
A lot of baseball free agents come here for the racial harmony and the chance to hear Sweet Caroline 81 times a year.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Dec 15, 2009 6:08 AM EST reply actions
Look with the signing of Paplebon to 9.35 million for one year. This now opens a few doors for the red sox to get in motion. With another top starter Lacky in the fold the sox need to get the big bat they need. Lets face it w/o Manny who had the sox in the race every year he was here.
Theo needs to get the same type bat back in the lineup and look whos out there. Not much Damon no thanks. We need a trade for a bat and the sox are going to pay for it now or later. The logical choice is Adrian Gonzales from SD.
It will cost the sox 2 players and at least 3 prospects. My idea of who’s going is pretty simple. With the addition of a 1st baseman Youklis goes.
the second player is a pitcher . Bucholz or Bard one is gone.
The prospects are Casey Kelly-Lars Anderson and probally anybody except the young 18 year old shortstop of the future.
Listen we all look at the Yankees as the measuring tape in baseball. They are loaded with hitters. Looks like Murdres Row 2 now.
In order for teams in this division to compeat with the Yanks you need to ravish the rest of baseball or like Baltimore who finish last, year in year out. 20 or 30 games out who cares by the break.
Theo wake up and move this club to the next step get the hitter we really need. JD.
by MOPAR7272 on Jan 19, 2010 7:26 PM EST reply actions
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