The Orioles are searching for a new GM and the four other AL East teams have begun preparations for the coming offseason. The latest links from the division:
- The Blue Jays won't rule out a run at David Ortiz, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Ortiz told Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com that the Red Sox won't regret it if they sign him.
- Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox would offer some combination of Kevin Youkilis, Josh Reddick, Lars Anderson and Jed Lowrie in a trade for starting pitching.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains why the Red Sox are likely to exercise their $6MM option for Marco Scutaro.
- Scott Leventhal, the agent for Eric Chavez, told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the third baseman hasn't decided whether to play in 2012 (all Twitter links). Leventhal says Chavez "truly enjoyed" playing for the Yankees and would consider returning to New York. He'd likely be a fit for the Bronx Bombers again.
- Bill Chastain of MLB.com suggests the Rays would like Kelly Shoppach to return in 2012. However, his $3.2MM option ($300K buyout) may seem expensive for a club that operates with limited resources and has cheaper internal options available.
Tony LaRussa please come to Boston and do your thing. If not Tony got to be John Farrell.