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The New York Yankees have fierce competition in the AL East. Only the Baltimore Orioles finished beyond 10 games out of the playoffs. The Boston Red Sox have proven their goals this offseason by acquiring Adrian Gonzalez, and the Tampa Bay Rays are looking to bring back talent from last year’s postseason squad while adding some new pieces.

The only thing the New York Yankees have proven this postseason is they have the money to make any player that whines shut up. Derek Jeter thought he was talented enough to ask for Alex Rodriguez money, and the Yankees did not agree. This fact gave them a way out of a three year trap that will now require Derek Jeter to be the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees for three years.

There is no way to bench him. With the legacy he has built as a Yankee, he has enough leverage to suffice likely three years of the same mediocre baseball he played this year. And with his signing is where the New York Yankees went all wrong.

With plenty of the league’s most promising young catchers in their system, the Yankees could have put together a package this offseason and received a high quality shortstop in return. Instead, their choice was to keep a player past his time who possesses arm will only become weaker than it currently is.

The New York Yankees are looking to improve, but not to become the empire they have been known to be. While bolstering a pitching staff by likely winning the Cliff Lee auction and having Zack Greinke as a backup option are great moves, it is not enough. The Yankees will be left with at least one hole in their rotation.

The current look is projected to be: Sabathia, Lee/Greinke, Pettitte, Hughes, and Burnett. Let’s be serious here, while the front two are impressive, the age question begins with Andy Pettitte. Phil Hughes proved to be a decent pitcher, but still lacks the experience to be a proven pitcher. Lastly, AJ Burnett is one of the biggest disappointments of 2010, where his lackluster performances caused many to question his dominance.

If the Yankees really want to improve, they will go further into free agency and find another pitcher. Easy enough to do. The Yankees retained Mariano Rivera, another plus, but the relief can always improve, especially if Kerry Wood is to leave. 

However, with the current shortstop position, barring injury, they are bound to Jeter as the everyday man. That fact is by no means a good thing.

The New York Yankees’ movement along the free agent frontier right now is by no means encouraging. Going after Carl Crawford will do nothing but force Boston or another team to pay more, while also doing nothing good for their lineup anyway.

If they really want to improve, they should stop overpaying for the wrong players, take a hard look at the faults of 2010, and look to add depth to their shoddy pitching staff. And of course, they won’t overpay for another figure of the past well past their prime.

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The Red Sox have Adrian Gonzalez wrapped up in a nice little package, ready to play. The good thing for the Red Sox is they now can focus on the other cogs in the machine that is the Red Sox. This clears the air for many issues which people have been debating, but there is no question now that the Red Sox have a dangerous batting team. Depending on what they choose, you could see Boston have a powerhouse team, or a sickening combination of speed and power. Regardless, getting Gonzalez to 1st gives the Red Sox great defense at the corners. Here’s some things the Red Sox should be up to after this deal is inked.

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The hot stove is just starting to warm, and the Red Sox are making headlines alongside their rival Yankees. Not only are the Red Sox somewhat in the running for Cliff Lee (more likely just to up the price), they apparently were in the Mariano Rivera race. Whereas the Yankees invited captain Derek Jeter to test the free agent market, they made no such indications with Rivera, and for this exact reason.

Although they won in the end, they did not want a team such as Boston (who has the money) to bid on Rivera, because he really is worth that much to them. Not only does this create a stir within the Yankee fanbase, but it also makes you wonder: why would the Red Sox do this when Jonathan Papelbon is there?

Here’s why.

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This season you saw some new names with the Boston Red Sox. So what names will be heard again when Opening Day comes? This is who to expect in Boston for the 2011 MLB season. This also looks at the Derek Jeter rumor around the middle, and what you should expect of the Yankee captain. The Red Sox struggled due to injury in 2010, but expect many players to return to form, and see some players attempt to kick start their career once again. Expect Boston to make a few key moves to cover their needs, which range from relief pitching, to outfield, and of course the corners of the infield are a hot topic.

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Captain Clutch is no more.

Derek Jeter entered this season an elite shortstop, but proved in the end why he is no longer worth the money. The former rookie of the year, two time Hank Aaron award recipient, four time Silver Slugger, six time Gold Glover, and once a World Series MVP had a dismal season. His batting average dropped to .270, and he hit just .231 in the ALCS.

While Jeter’s career numbers have many Yankee fanatics screaming for him to be re-signed, the reality is that the Yankees could improve by signing or trading for a better, younger shortstop. The offer made by Brian Cashman (three years, $45 million) was an act of generosity. This offer was Brian Cashman doing what is politically correct. He did not want to disappoint Yankee fans, and with the depth of Yankee wallets constantly open, many figured Jeter’s signature would be on the dotted line as soon as the contract came out of the printer.

However, Jeter decided that instead of taking this sweet deal, he would ask for another year or two onto that contract. If he really wants those extra years, he better settle for considerably less, because there is no way a 41 year old Derek Jeter will be worth $15 million. Some may say that this last year was a fluke, that it was an off year. However, at age 36, this is an excuse for a decline in play due to age. It happens to all players at one point in their career. Not only is his performance an indicator of how little he is worth, but the negotiations between the two parties indicates it as well.

If the Yankees sign him to a four year deal, then you have proof that the Yankees are not looking to improve their infield. If Jeter were to leave, remember, that the Yankees could sign a third baseman or a shortstop, due to the versatility of Alex Rodriguez. And for $15 million a year, they could get a very good player.

You will not see the New York Yankees let Mariano Rivera leave this franchise. They will pay the demanding price, because they do not have any other viable options to replace Rivera. However, from within or free agency, the Yankees can replace Derek Jeter. GM Brian Cashman encouraged Derek Jeter to test the free agent market. Why? Because he knows that Jeter will not get the money and the years that he has demanded. However, Mariano Rivera has not been told to go try his luck, because you can be sure that if he leaves, the markup on one of the best closers of all time will be crazy.

Derek Jeter’s career is on it’s back end. I’m not saying his play will continue to decline as it did this year. However, expect numbers similar to those of this season or worse for the next few years, until his career ends. Everyone’s career has to end, but will one of the most prolific players in Yankee history retire as a Yankee? Most likely yes, but only after a well needed reality check.

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With free agency now in full force, there seem to be a select number of elite players up for grabs.

Of course, we all know Cliff Lee is a free agent, but who else is out there, and what’s their story?

Everyone expected the Yankees to be a player in re-signing players, but there seems to be more difficulty in returning players.

Derek Jeter, the Yankee leader, has not yet signed despite heavy pursuit by the Yankees. Considering he had his worst statistical season offensively and did not deserve the Gold Glove he won, the $45 million, three-year contract the Yankees offered him should sound sweet.

However, at age 36, Jeter wants a four- or five-year contract. What he is trying to do is extend his career, because the end of this contract he signs will be the end of his career as a starting shortstop. If Jeter wants that contract, he might have to shop around, but to be honest, he will not as heavily pursued as he hopes.

However, if the Yankees let Mariano Rivera go, he will not return without a heavy markup in price. Rivera, coming off another great year (ERA 1.80, WHIP 0.83), he is asking for a two-year contract worth $36 million.

Rivera has proven that at age 40 going on 41, he is still one of the premier closers in the MLB. If the Yankees do not sign Rivera at his asked value, Mo will enter free agency and start a minor bidding war for his rights. There are plenty of teams looking for a closer of his talent, and they are willing to pay the price for him.

Adrian Beltre re-established his dominance at the third base corner of the Red Sox infield this season and certainly has earned the right to test free agency. He hit .321 this season with 28 home runs and a career-high 49 doubles and played in 154 of 162 games. His Silver Slugger award was well deserved, and he will carry a high price tag.

However, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has made it clear that Beltre and Victor Martinez were high priority re-signings. Beltre will be signed at a high price, but it may not be the Red Sox. If he were to leave, Boston would likely look to pursue Adrian Gonzalez next and move the versatile Kevin Youkilis to third base. After that, they may pursue Adam Dunn.

With Martinez gone, the Red Sox will look to Jarrod Saltalamacchia to take over starting duties behind the plate and probably sign a catcher to play the role of backup. The Red Sox have not ruled out yet bringing back captain Jason Varitek, who until breaking his foot was a worthy backup.

As well, the Red Sox as of now will receive the 19th pick from the Tigers as compensation for Martinez and could use that pick if they decide to sign a Type A free agent.

Other notable free agents

At 1B: Lance Berkman, Adam Dunn, Jason Giambi, Derrek Lee and Carlos Pena are all big bats that many teams could benefit from signing.

2B: Orlando Hudson appears to be the top of the pile in the slim pickings for quality second basemen in this year’s pool.

SS: Orlando Cabrera, Craig Counsell, Cesar Izturis, Edgar Renteria, Miguel Tejada and Juan Uribe all will be receiving calls from teams to sign contracts.

3B: After Adrian Beltre is signed, teams will look to Bobby Crosby, Akinori Iwamura or Nick Punto to fill a void in the other corner.

C: With arguably the biggest bat of catchers gone in Victor Martinez, there are plenty of quality catchers out there in Rod Barajas, Josh Bard, Chad Moeller, Bengie Molina, A.J. Pierzynski, Yorvit Torrealba and Matt Treanor.

OF: While no outfielders were mentioned in this article, don’t think there aren’t plenty of them out there. Vladimir Guerrero, Johnny Damon, Jeff Francoeur, Bill Hall, Brad Hawpe, Eric Hinske, Xavier Nady, Magglio Ordonez, Scott Podsednik, Manny Ramirez, Matt Stairs and Marcus Thames will all be receiving offers after Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth decide where they are going to sign.

RP: Jonathan Albaladejo, Grant Balfour, Chad Durbin, Kyle Farnsworth, Chad Gaudin, Trevor Hoffman, Chan Ho Park, J.C. Romero, Takashi Saito and Dan Wheeler should all see some interest from multiple teams early.

SP: Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Carl Pavano, Brad Penny, Jeff Suppan and Javier Vazquez will be among the sought-after pitchers for those teams not in the Cliff Lee race. Ben Sheets and Dontrelle Willis will be looking for teams willing to take a chance on them with big payoffs possible.

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