Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox miss out on Minor; Giants in middle of everything and more

This is a daily BSJ off-season feature that will arrive in time for your lunch, Monday-Friday.

A spin around the leagues with the latest news, notes, and rumors around Major League Baseball:

RED SOX:

It's pretty obvious that adding a bat is Priority No. 1 for the Red Sox this winter. The Sox finished dead last in the American League in homers and desperately need a run-producing bat in the middle of their lineup to keep pace with the offensive explosion taking place across the game.

Second-biggest off-season need? That may well be a lefty for the bullpen. The Sox have an elite closer and no fewer than four right-handers who could handle the eighth inning. But beyond Robby Scott, the Sox don't have much in the way of lefty relief help.

The Sox had some interest in Kansas City reliever Mike Minor -- both at the trade deadline last July and also, this winter, in free agency. But Minor signed a multi-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Monday, in part because the Rangers are giving him a chance to return to starting, which he had done in Atlanta before a series of arm injuries derailed him.

There are still some premium free agent lefties on the market, including Tony Watson and Jake McGee. But the Sox appear to be focused on finding a bat first.

That leaves them at risk of losing out on the rest of the lefty bullpen field, with others following Minor elsewhere.

AL EAST

The Yankee made four trades in the last few months to obtain additional international bonus pool money, which they planned to use on Shohei Ohtani. Now that Ohtani has eliminated the Yankees from consideration, they plan to use that money elsewhere, writes Joel Sherman

As the Orioles look for starting pitching help, Eduardo Encina wonders if they should take another look at Mike Wright in their rotation.

Anyone and everyone, it seems, is being made available by the Tampa Bay Rays, including third baseman Evan Longoria, writes Marc Topkin.

Fired Blue Jays analyst Gregg Zaun offered his apology

AL CENTRAL

Like the Red Sox' Luis Tiant, the Tigers' Alan Trammell is on the Modern Era ballot in next week's Hall of Fame election. Tony Paul takes a look at the shortstop's chances.

A look at the loss of Minor from the perspective of his former team, the Kansas City Royals.

You don't see this too often: a former player good enough to be considered for the Hall of Fame starting his managerial career in Single A.

AL WEST

Passed over for an interview for the Yankees' managerial vacancy, Al Pedrique joins the Oakland A's coaching staff.

A look at the Minor signing from the perspective of the Texas Rangers, from Evan Grant.

Let's see...AL MVP, World Champion, and now co-Sportsperson of the Year. Yup, it was a pretty good year for Jose Altuve.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Finalists for both Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani, the San Francisco Giants are being very active this winter.

TAKE I MAY REGRET IN A FEW MONTHS:

Former Braves GM John Coppolella, fired and then banned for life by MLB for his role in the Braves' scandal involving international prospects, has finally broken his silence, emailing a statement to ESPN. Coppolella seems to take full responsibility for his actions, but that comes too late for him.

One of the reasons commissioner Rob Manfred dealt so harshly with Coppolella was the latter's refusal to cooperate with MLB in its investigation. Reportedly, he also was mulling his options about suing baseball.

Now, he's sorry. Had Coppolella been this remorseful and contrite over the last few months, he might not be in the position he now finds himself.