AL East

Via Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York:

Via Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated:

On Wednesday afternoon, Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame class for 2011 was announced and, as anticipated, Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar amassed the number of votes necessary for their enshrinement in Cooperstown this summer. A Hall of Fame candidate must receive 75 percent of the vote from eligible Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) members to garner induction.

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman claimed 25-year-old Brian Schlitter, a relief pitcher, off waivers this week from the Chicago Cubs.
 
Schlitter made seven appearances out of the bullpen in 2010 for the Cubs. Over his eight innings of work, Schlitter posted a terrible 12.37 ERA, giving up 18 hits, 11 earned runs, allowed two home runs and walked five of the 48 batters he faced.
 

As the 2010 season unfolded, the Red Sox front office declared it was interested in re-signing soon-to-be-free-agents Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez.

And as the offseason began, GM Theo Epstein insisted retaining both players was one of the organization’s top priorities.

But actions speak louder than words. The Red Sox failed to make a substantive offer to either player and watched as both departed for other destinations.

Did Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein have a coupon to buy one underachieving Texas Rangers catcher and get one free?

The Baltimore Orioles have been in the news this week quite a bit.  First it was the startling developments of reliever Alfredo Simon in the alleged shooting on New Year's Eve.  Then some positive personnel developments with the acquisition of first baseman Derrek Lee (pending physical) and closer Kevin Gregg.

The icing on the cake for the O's and their fans was the news today that Roberto Alomar has been elected to the Hall of Fame.

1. Kyle Drabek

Max Ramirez is on his way to Boston, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

The move comes after the Rangers designated the former top catching prospect for assignment in order to make room for Brandon Webb and Arthur Rhodes.

Theo Epstein's interest in the young catcher have been well documented. Ramirez was the player involved in the Mike Lowell deal that was and then wasn't last offseason after Lowell failed the Rangers' physical.

1B David Cooper (6'0", 210 pounds)

Age: 23

Drafted: 17th overall in 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of California

Bats: Left      Throws: Left

2009-10 Team: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)

2010-11 Expected Team: Las Vegas 51s (AAA)

Best-Case Scenario: Poor man's Todd Helton bat without the defence