Around The Majors With The MLB Community Leaders

We've been getting more additions to the MLB Community Leader team this past month. You may not know all of them or be familiar with any of their work.

Here's your chance to see who is saying what about their favorite team. Whether they are new or been at it here at Bleacher Report for awhile now, they've all been sounding off on their team's offseason plans and progress.

Let's take a spin throughout Bleacher Report to find out what the MLB Community Leaders are talking about.

In the American League...

Starting in the AL Central, Austin Drake of the Detroit Tigers is projecting the 2009 starters at each position.

Austin has a few interesting signings happening in the Motor City, including the addition of Orlando Cabrera to fill their shortstop void. However, his preference is Christian Guzman.

"Carlos Guillen can play shortstop, but it is highly unlikely that he will see time there next season. Christian Guzman is on the market and I’d love to see him in Detroit, but I just don’t see Dombrowski going after him."

For their division rivals, the cautious spending Indians, I've gone a little more conservative with my problems and solutions.

My ideal choice for Cleveland's open rotation spot? Freddy Garcia.

"The ideal fit would be Freddy Garcia or someone who has been a proven reliable pitcher, just coming off an injury. Carl Pavano could be in that mold, but he isn't coming off an injury, he's coming off many injuries."

Into the always active AL East, Michael Lemaire has written several pleas to Theo Epstein and the Red Sox for this offseason. Among his suggestions, don't re-sign the team's captain, Jason Varitek.

"What makes matters worse for the Red Sox is that Scott Boras is his agent, so instead of working out a hometown discount to stay with the Red Sox and become a personal catcher in the mold of Eddie Perez, he will most likely test the free agent waters and force the Red Sox to pony up the dough if they want to keep him.

Which is why they can't possibly re-sign him at his market value if they want to be competitive."

Boston's best friends in New York, the Yankees meanwhile are waiting for a CC Sabathia sighting. But, Jordan Schwartz was one of the first on the trade for Nick Swisher.

"Swisher is Giambi-Lite—a power hitter who can't get a single to save his life. The 27-year old hit just .219 with 24 homers and 69 RBI in 153 games last year and is only a .244 lifetime hitter. His .219 mark in 2008 was the worst batting average among players with at least 502 plate appearances, the number needed to qualify for the batting title."

In Baltimore, Lawrence Barreca has been busy going around the diamond. His latest position, second base.

"Roberts has been on the O's since his rookie season in 2001, and with that he has had to endure the hardships of a long, painful losing streak. Does Brian really want to stick with the squad for another season?"

Last, in terms of this article, not in last year's finish, the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays. What are the priorities according to Scott Birchfield? For starters, pick a closer!

"The fact that Troy Percival is old and fragile is a big concern. I would not count on Percival being the man in 2009. The Rays need to either move Edwin Jackson or J.P. Howell to the closer spot, or make a deal for an established closer. Dan Wheeler is not the solution either. He is better as a set-up man."

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