Major League Baseball

Team-by-team AL winter meetings outlook

Published Dec. 6, 2009 6:08 p.m. ET

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The baseball world is converging this week on the Hoosier State, home to Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Scott Rolen and the 2009 Midwest League champion Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Just think: What happens if, on the same day this week, there is a news conference in South Bend to announce Notre Dame's new football coach and another in Indianapolis to announce Roy Halladay's new team?

News and notes

Here's a team-by-team look around the majors, with the winter meetings set to begin Monday:

American League | National League

Baltimore: The Orioles have the makings of a nice rotation and would like to add a veteran (Kevin Millwood?) to mentor the likes of Brad Bergesen, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman. But the Orioles aren't going to surrender a big part of their future in a trade at a time when an AL East title remains a faraway goal. They will probably stay short-term as they address their needs on the infield corners, with Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder not far away.

Boston: Don't you get the feeling that they're going to end up with Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, no matter what? The Red Sox have a lot going on, as usual, even after signing shortstop Marco Scutaro to fill one of their biggest needs. Mike Lowell is available on the trade market, and the free-agent market is full of options to replace him as the everyday third baseman. Adrian Beltre would be a good fit.

Chicago: Perpetually one of the majors' most unpredictable teams, the White Sox might be up to something without a lot of people knowing. (I trust you remember Jake Peavy.) Until further notice, they have the best rotation in the AL Central. Their offseason focus should be the bullpen, where they need another arm, and the lineup, which lacks a full-time solution at center field, designated hitter and the leadoff spot. It doesn't appear Paul Konerko will be traded.

Cleveland: Time to start over under newly installed manager Manny Acta. As evidenced by the recent trade of Kelly Shoppach to the Rays, the Indians haven't stopped selling yet. They are not going to be involved in high-end free agents. About the only significant move involving Cleveland this week would be a trade of, say, Jhonny Peralta.

Detroit: I don't know what the Tigers are going to do this week. The Tigers don't know what the Tigers are going to do this week. As many as two of The Detroit Three — Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson — could be sent away for prospects. (Granderson and Jackson are the stronger candidates.) This is a team in flux more because of bad contracts than the economy.

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