Hot Stove Lunch: Sox ace helps groom Groome; O's seek balance 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

Though he seemed to sputter in the final month and pitched poorly in his first playoff start, Chris Sale's first season in Boston was otherwise all the Red Sox could have hoped for.

Now, Sale is making more contributions in the off-season.

As the Boston Globe's Alex Speier reports, Sale is spending a lot of time this winter with former first-round pick Jay Groome, helping him refine his delivery. 

Sale took it upon himself to get in contact with Groome and has been working out with him for the last two months. As Speier notes, this is the sort of thing Sale did often while with the White Sox, where he helped fellow lefty Jose Quintana -- among others -- blossom.

For the last two years, we've heard a great deal about what a good teammate David Price is. In case we missed it, Price, several times, attempted to tell us himself.

But true-to-form, Sale has gone about his business in a quieter way. It may well be that his legacy in Boston goes well beyond what he accomplishes on the mound.

AL EAST

The Gerrit Cole rumors have cooled of late with the Yankees. Mike Mazzeo says the Yanks need to make a decision

Beyond big holes in their starting rotation, the Orioles need to have better balance in their lineup, writes Rock Kubatko.

Bill Chastain goes to the mailbag to answer some questions about the Rays.

AL CENTRAL

Former Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel is on the upcoming Hall of Fame ballot and his longevity could help him.

There was an ugly accusation against Twins star Miguel Sano

A closer look at some of the prospects the Tigers received in exchange for Justin Verlander.

AL WEST

T.R. Sullivan answers readers' questions about the Rangers' rotation.

Jane Lee takes a turn with the mailbag and answers questions about the A's.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Initially, the Marlins wouldn't listen to trade inquiries for Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto. Now, it appears, that may be changing.

TAKE I MAY REGRET IN A MONTH:

While the NFL has bungled a number of investigations regarding domestic assault and players' treatment of women, Major League Baseball has been far more proactive in its own in-house investigative work and the resulting discipline.

Currently, there are (at least) two cases before MLB: the incident involving Steven Wright and his wife earlier this month, and now, an ugly story involving Twins star Miguel Sano.

In the past, MLB has conducted thorough studies of incidents and often meted out punishment even if a case didn't go trial. In nearly every case, MLB has acted in a swift, thorough manner and has established a zero-tolerance policy.

Here's hoping that continues with these two cases -- and any others than land on MLB's desk.