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Boom! C.C. Sabathia.

Bang! A.J. Burnett

BaBoom! Mark Teixeira.

...That's the Yankees making a ton of noise this offseason. They added Nick Swisher via trade, and re-signed expensive reliever Damaso Marte as well.

But elsewhere in the American League East, the Boston Red Sox are quietly improving. They tried valiantly to sign Teixeira, but lost out to their hated rivals, which is seemingly always the case. But everyone remembers what happened last time the Yankees outbid the Red Sox for a major superstar, right?

His name was Alex Rodriguez, and the Sox very nearly pulled off a trade involving Manny Ramirez. After some controversy regarding that potential deal, the Bronx Bombers swooped in, trading Alfonso Soriano to the Rangers for A-Rod.

The Red Sox went on to win the World Series that season (2004). The Yankees haven't been to the World Series since...

Now I'm not saying that'll happen again, I'm merely suggesting that Boston doesn't need to make big splashes to compete. This week GM Theo Epstein signed SP John Smoltz and OF Rocco Baldelli, both of whom could be significant additions IF they stay healthy. A relatively large IF, yes.

But IF Smoltz stays active for the vast majority of the season, then the Red Sox have a rotation that can mirror, or perhaps surpass the Yankees'. As of right now the Yanks are looking at Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, Burnett, Joba Chamberlain, and Philip Hughes, while the Red Sox will run Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, John Smoltz, and Tim Wakefield out there.

Injuries aside, those rotations are VERY close. Lester is arguably the premier, young left-handed starter in the game, and he looked like a legitimate ace in the postseason last year. Sabathia is more proven and he'll have the benefit of the new Yankee Stadium, as opposed to the offensively-favored Fenway Park. Sabathia's numbers should be slightly superior, but stuff wise, it's nearly a washout between the two.

Matsuzaka and Wang are two extremely different pitchers stylistically, as Wang is looking to induce groundballs and give you longevity, while Dice-K pitches deep counts, gets Ks, and ends up with shorter outings. Both, however, are winners. It's really a matter of stylistic preference when choosing between the pair.

Burnett and Beckett are obviously similar. Former teammates in Florida, both have filthy stuff and can bite down for tough strikeouts when they need them. Burnett was more proficient in the category last year, but Beckett clearly has the better postseason track record. Burnett hasn't had much of an opportunity to become a big-game pitcher, but that should change in '09. We'll see how he does -- but we already know that Beckett can get it done (two World Series rings, one WS MVP).

Smoltz vs. Chamberlain makes for an interesting comparison. Both have spent time as relievers AND starters. Both were lights out relievers, but Smoltz is a Hall of Fame starter, and Joba hasn't had the chance to prove much there. Both suffered through tough injuries last season, and it'll be interesting to see who bounces back the strongest. The scale has to tip in favor of Chamberlain because he's younger and doesn't have a severe history of injuries (like Smoltz). Still, if Smoltz somehow finds a way to stay on the mound, Theo got a steal at $5 million.

Lastly there's Wakefield and Hughes. Obviously we have to give Wakefield the nod, knowing he's good for 11-15 wins without batting an eye. He's no longer a No. 3 starter, but he's more than adequate at the back of a rotation. Hughes is coming off an injury and hasn't shown that he can be successful at the Major League level yet.

All I'm saying is, the Red Sox will be there. Obviously the Yankees will seem to have the offensive edge, but the Sox do have the benefit of Fenway Park. All in all I still have to lean in favor of the Yanks right now, but more devastating disappointment for Yankee fans wouldn't surprise me. Look out, guys...

Boston's not going anywhere.