Red Sox and Yankees to Battle it Out in the Hot Stove League

Last offseason it did not look like the Yankees and Red Sox were fighting over the same players, (until the Yankees made that little deal for Mark Teixeira) this offseason things will be different.  Both teams have to make a decision about left field.  The Yankees may let Damon or Matsui go, or both and go after Bay or Holliday.  The Red Sox have 15 days left of exclusive negotiating rights with Bay, but it is unlikely he will sign without getting some other teams involved to drive up his price.  This sets the stage for lots of posturing by Cashman and Theo and a log jam of teams (Mets, Yankees, Angels, Red Sox, Giants and Cardinals) waiting for one of the chips to fall.  It is going to be a wild ride that could leave teams looking very familiar (if the Yankees keep Matsui and Damon and the Sox re-sign Bay) or very different with some big names changing sides.  The '09 season may be over but the Hot Stove is just beginning.  Stay tuned.