AL East Notes: Red Sox, Bautista, Orioles

On this date two years ago, right-hander Andy Sonnanstine hit third against the Indians after Joe Maddon made an error in filling out his lineup card. Sonnanstine had an RBI double and the Rays won. Here's a round of links from the AL East… 

• Alex Speier of WEEI.com tells the story of 2006 draft pick Kris Johnson, whom the Red Sox released recently. Boston selected Johnson before Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and others, though Speier points out that the draft is an imperfect science and notes that the Red Sox had their reasons for selecting the left-hander at the time.
• Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he doesn't put himself in the same category as Albert Pujols because the Cardinals first baseman has succeeded for a decade. It's becoming clear that Bautista is the best hitter in the game – at least in 2011.
• As ESPN.com's Buster Olney notes, the AL East will be a summer-long grind, as the Yankees deal with age, the Red Sox deal with issues at the back of their rotation and the Rays try to keep winning without financial flexibility (Twitter link).
• Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com previews some Orioles roster moves: Brandon Snyder and Troy Patton will likely take the places of the injured Derrek Lee and Cesar Izturis.