Rankings/List

With the winter meetings under way and the dust settled on the first blockbuster deal of the offseason, it is time to look at who are going to be the keys for the Red Sox to be the last team sipping champagne.

Some say another bat, such as a superstar like Carl Crawford or a role player like Josh Willingham, is necessary to be the World Series favorites (assuming the Yankees sign Cliff Lee).

Some say go after Cliff Lee because of his postseason resume and the fact he would look HORRIBLE in pinstripes.

The talks about Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke are starting to heat up as KC has mentioned that they are willing to trade him, given the right price.

With the MLB winter meetings starting today, the talks and rumors will be flying for awhile until one team is satisfied.

The Yankees are one of those teams that has been very interested in the former Cy Young award winner's services and as usual, they have not been very shy about it.

MLB trade rumors are going to start swirling this week with the winter meetings kicking off today in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

As you know by now, there have already been some huge moves out there: Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter re-signed with the New York Yankees. Adam Dunn joined the White Sox for big dollars. And Jayson Werth just got an enormous contract from the Washington Nationals.

But Adrian Gonzalez being dealt to the Red Sox is probably the most momentous of all the offseason moves in 2010-2011. Gonzalez will take up residence in Fenway Park next spring.

Last week, Royals pitcher Zack Greinke let it be known that he would be open to a trade to the New York Yankees (or another contender).

Greinke has had issues with social anxiety disorder in the past and New York would not be the best place to go if you are a little shy. The Yankees have a history of acquiring talented players who faltered under the bright lights and big stage of New York.

Here are 10 of the biggest blunderers to play for the New York Yankees.

With the Jayson Werth Sweepstakes closed, the Philadelphia Phillies now set their sights on other matters this winter.  The Winter Meetings just commenced today and Ruben Amaro Jr. has been relatively quiet since the Phillies' stunning playoff exit in late October.

What the Phillies will be looking to do from here on out is anyone's guess.  RAJ hasn't made any noise so far this off-season, expect that to change soon.  The Phillies ought to be looking to fill a few voids this winter in order to re-claim their stake in the NL.  

Baseball's winter meetings begin this week in Florida.

This can be a time when those hot stoves really get fired up.

Twins' General Manager Bill Smith has needs to be addressed as the team heads into its second season at Target Field.

No longer playing small-market ball, the team's payroll is projected to be around $102 to $120 million for the 2011 season.

If Minnesota is going to successfully defend the American League Central Title and make that step to the next level, then Smith will have to make some moves.

The Boston Red Sox failed to come to an agreement with first basemen Adrian Gonzalez today on a contract extension.

The botched deal comes on the heels of a potential blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres agreed to earlier in the week. The Red Sox would have sent top prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and Reymond Fuentes plus a player to be named later to San Diego in exchange for Gonzalez.

The Minnesota Twins have always prided themselves on the amount of talent available in their minor league system. The organization has also always been known for developing their players at a conservative pace.

Current Twins third baseman Danny Valencia spent a full four seasons in the minor leagues before getting the call to the majors this past season.

He made the best of his opportunity, solidifying his place as the team's starting third baseman for the remainder of the season, and will likely remain there for the foreseeable future.

Baseball is America's pastime. No one said it better than James Earl Jones in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams.

"The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again."

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been busy this offseason, locking up several players already and in the hunt for even more.

General manager Ned Colletti has been aggressive following a disappointing fourth-place finish for the Dodgers in the NL West. The team, picked by many to win the division, managed only an 80-82 record and was never really in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Colletti is determined to change that, building a roster around young studs Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.