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The American League East is the most competitive division in baseball. From this division, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs last October. The Tampa Bay Rays came up just short in their playoff push, but have competed for the division crown in each of the past five seasons.

The five-time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have hired Shane Spencer as their hitting and third base coach. For those who don’t remember, Shane Spencer was in large part responsible for one of the greatest playoff moments in the history of the game.

The playoffs are underway in all four factions of the offseason winter Leagues, with the winner of the Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan leagues to represent their country in February’s Caribbean Series.

Since there’s a small sample size for this installment given the recent start of the playoffs, my focus will once again be on each league’s hottest position prospects. This week features several notable prospects in Oswaldo Arcia (Twins), Jesus Aguilar (Indians), and the red-hot Leury Garcia (Rangers).

Just how confident are the Los Angeles Dodgers and general manager Ned Colletti in their projected lineup for 2013?

As of now, the bulk of the MLB offseason activity is complete. The majority of the major free agents have signed. And if a blockbuster trade was going to take place, chances are it would have happened by now.

Five weeks remain between now and some of the most optimistic words in baseball:

"Pitchers and catchers report."

Before then, there are some things that still need to sort themselves out. While most of the MLB offseason is over, these storylines still need some sort of resolution.

Kyle Crick, Clayton Blackburn and Chris Stratton, the San Francisco Giants top three prospects according to FanGraphs, have yet to pitch above A-ball. Thus, they don't have the professional experience needed to make the opening day roster.

The Washington Nationals and first baseman Adam LaRoche have agreed on a two-year deal (via the Washington Post). The terms are not yet known, though the initial offer was believed to be roughly around $25 million.

Each year, there are lower-level pitching prospects who narrow the gap between their present abilities and future potential, and as a result emerge as a highly projected prospect.

Usually, it’s someone who has battled injuries early in his career or simply a young, unrefined pitcher who suddenly puts everything together (stuff, command, consistency).

The 2012-13 MLB offseason has had its share of surprises.

One of the biggest surprises this offseason was the Los Angeles Angels signing of Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract.

Surprising because, it seemed the Angels were relegated to bystander status after spending a combined $317 million on the Albert Pujois and C.J. Wilson contracts during the 2011 offseason.

Surprising because, the Texas Rangers allowed Hamilton to leave the club and join an AL West rival.

At this point of the MLB offseason, you can count the number of truly impact players still available via free agency on one hand.