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Let's look at Boston and Toronto

MLB.com has done a nice job of analyzing the moves that were made.

Boston: Added Beckett (trade), 3B Lowell (trade), 2B Loretta (trade), 3B Marte (trade), RHP Guillermo Mota (trade) and RHP Jamie Vermilyea (trade).
Lost: CF Damon, 3B Bill Mueller, SS Renteria, 1B Millar, 1B John Olerud, LHP Mike Myers, C Doug Mirabelli.

Considering what a jolt the Red Sox had at the beginning of the offseason with Theo Epstein stepping down as general manager, the front office deserves high marks for keeping dead-eye focus on improving the team. From the additions of Beckett and Loretta to the subtraction of Edgar Renteria in exchange for top third base prospect Andy Marte, the Red Sox stayed in the news with some noteworthy moves. On a scale of 1 to 10, give them a 7: expected to contend.

  1B    Kevin Youkilis
  2B    Mark Loretta
  DH    David Ortiz
  LF    Manny Ramirez
  C    Jason Varitek
  3B    Mike Lowell
  RF    Trot Nixon
  SS    Alex Cora
  CF    TBD

Toronto arrivals: 3B Glaus (trade), LHP Ryan (free agent), RHP Burnett (free agent), 1B Overbay (trade), INF John McDonald (trade)

Departures: 2B Orlando Hudson, RHP Miguel Batista, RHP Dave Bush, OF Gabe Gross, RHP Chad Gaudin, INF Frank Menechino, C Ken Huckaby.

  SS    Russ Adams
  DH    Shea Hillenbrand
  1B    Lyle Overbay
  3B    Troy Glaus
  CF    Vernon Wells
  RF    Alex Rios
  C    Gregg Zaun
  2B    Aaron Hill
  LF    Reed Johnson

The Jays' possibilities parallel the Chicago White Sox's deed: A solid pitching staff and tight defense to make the most of a modest offense. It became easy to overlook the fact the '05 White Sox ranked near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories when their virtues dominated October. With sound Roy Halladay and Ted Lilly joining Burnett, the Jays' rotation potentially has comparable shut-them-down depth. Consider that on the "back end," 13-game winners Josh Towers and Gustavo Chacin come off ERAs of 3.71 and 3.72, respectively. Not only did that make them one of the AL's top tandems -- but better than any other single East Division starter.