Going campin': Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs, the Yankees laid low for most of the off-season, passing on what they felt was a weak free-agent crop in the areas of their needs. But in a span of several hours on one January day, they beefed up their biggest problem area: starting pitching. New York signed Kuroda to a reasonable one-year, $10 million contract and acquired Pineda, a hard-throwing youngster, giving the club seven pitchers for five rotation spots. With Ivan Nova emerging as a rising star - going 16-4 in his rookie year - Phil Hughes could find himself in the bullpen, two seasons removed from winning 18 games. The big question is what will they do with A.J. Burnett, whose 5.15 ERA was third worst among all qualifying pitchers last season? The temperamental Burnett has two more years left on a five-year, $82.5 million contract and has struggled mightily the past two seasons. To get Pineda, the Yankees gave up young power hitter Montero. They still might try to sign a lefty bat to help fill the DH role. Alex Rodriguez, coming off an injury plagued year in which he hit only 16 homers, had experimental treatment on his right knee and left shoulder in Germany in December. He could see increased time at DH as could as Derek Jeter, who'll turn 38 in June.
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Tampa Bay Rays
Manager: Joe Maddon (seventh season).
2011: 91-71, wild card, lost in division series.
Training Town: Port Charlotte, Fla.
Park: Charlotte Sports Park.
First Workout: Feb. 21/26.
He's Here: 1B Carlos Pena, OF Luke Scott, RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP Fernando Rodney, C Jose Molina, INF Jeff Keppinger.
He's Outta Here: DH-OF Johnny Damon, C Kelly Shoppach, C John Jaso, 1B Casey Kotchman, 1B Dan Johnson, OF Justin Ruggiano, RHP Juan Cruz, RHP Andy Sonnanstine.
Going campin': The budget-minded Rays, who have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons, surprisingly addressed their biggest off-season priorities - adding some power to the middle of the batting order and bolstering the bullpen - without parting with any of their surplus of young starting pitchers. Barring a last-minute trade, they'll go to training camp with David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann and rookie Matt Moore, who earned the team's only win in last year's playoffs. Although executive vice-president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hasn't ruled out the possibility of making a deal, he has stressed the Rays are comfortable with having an extra starter. Free agent sluggers Pena and Scott were added without sacrificing anything on defence, where Tampa Bay ranks as among best teams in the AL. Pena is a former Gold Glove first baseman who averaged 36 homers, 102 RBIs and 93 walks in an earlier four-year stint with Tampa Bay from 2007 to 2010. Scott replaces Damon as the team's primary designated hitter and is capable of filling in defensively at first base and in the outfield. Keppinger is a utility player who provides another right-handed bat off the bench. Badenhop and Rodney join a bullpen that was rebuilt a year ago after the Rays lost six relievers to free agency.
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Boston Red Sox
Manager: Bobby Valentine (first season).
Continued...