AL East

Christmas has passed, and we're less than a week away from the new year. Most Major League Baseball teams are at or near the completion of their winter shopping, and are looking to make minor moves in the month-and-a-half before spring training.

Then there's the Baltimore Orioles, a team who has the resources to make an impact move or two, but has only seemingly gotten worse on paper.

Former Baltimore Orioles center fielder Paul Blair passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26 at the age of 69.

Blair passed away at Sinai Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman (via the Associated Press).

In missing the playoffs for only the second time since 1995, New York Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman was tasked with making sure that 2013 was just an exception to the rule.

The New York Yankees bolstered their lineup in a big way this offseason by signing top-tier free agents Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann. As for the pitching aspect of the equation—well, the organization still has work to do if it plans on contending next year. 

He may not have been their first choice, but signing Fernando Rodney would be a good use of money for the Baltimore Orioles.

It has been a wild offseason for the Boston Red Sox following their 2013 World Series title.

Boston has already endured a slew of transactions that have taken place since the team walked off with the World Series trophy.

The Boston Red Sox have signed Japanese submarine pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe to a minor-league deal, according to a press release by the team.

The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason by embarking on a World Series parade through the city of Boston. When the floats came to a stop, business picked back up for the 2013 champions. 

Since the start of business this winter, the Red Sox have been active. Yet due to their aversion to handing out long-term contracts, the team hasn't held a huge media gathering at Fenway Park to introduce the newest star to Red Sox faithful.

The Baltimore Orioles have a new closer, and one thing we know is that he'll be cheaper in 2014 than their old closer would have been.

But better? I wouldn't be quick to count on it, no.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been relatively quiet, as usual, this offseason.

Some teams make big splashes in the offseason, signing expensive high-profile players, while others make ripples. The big splashes garner a lot of attention, are seen and heard from further distances and are projected to make a significant impact immediately.

Small ripples make less noise and attract a smaller national audience. Instead of a single large splash, multiple ripples need to be put together with the intent of building a sustained winner.