Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox have White House visit on tap next month

Not long after the Red Sox arrive for the start of spring training, they'll be heading north -- not to start the season, but rather, to visit the White House.

It's traditional for sports teams that win championships to do so. The 2013 Red Sox visited in the first week of the 2014 season when they were in nearby Baltimore.

This year, the Sox will be traveling from Fort Myers -- as they did following the 2004 championship.

The club will take a charter flight from their spring training home, then return back to Florida the same day -- a quick up-and-back trip.

Technically, the trip will take place before position players are scheduled to report. But these days, almost all of the players arrive at spring training days -- and sometimes weeks -- before they're officially expected, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Team president Sam Kennedy stressed attendance wouldn't be mandatory, but added that he expected a good representation of players, staff and ownership to attend.

Elsewhere:

AL EAST

Ken Davidoff makes the case for the Yankees to sign Bryce Harper.

The Orioles seem to have a pitching coach lined up.

Baseball Prospectus looks at the Rays' best prospects.

Could Ken Giles bounce back with the Jays?

AL CENTRAL 

Now is not a good time to get equal value for Jason Kipnis.

The Twins made a minor deal with the Angels.

A couple of Tigers prospects are attracting attention.

Are the White Sox serious about Manny Machado?

A look at some candidates for the back end of the Royals' rotation.

AL WEST

If they wanted, the Angels could afford *both* Machado and Harper.

The Rangers picked up a depth outfielder in a deal.

The Astros will have to be patient with their top pitching prospect.

As they rebuild, how should the Mariners approach the draft?

NATIONAL LEAGUE 

Brian Dozier explains why he chose the Nationals.

HOT TAKE I MIGHT SOON REGRET

The clock is ticking for commissioner Rob Manfred.

It's been speculated that Manfred intends to institute -- one way or another -- some rule changes to help with pace-of-game initiatives. There's been talk that Manfred might implement a pitch clock -- as one example -- to help speed things up.

If history is a guide, February is usually the time when new rules get introduced. Changes to the takeout slide, home plate collisions and other adjustments have been revealed in February, time enough for everyone to get adjusted in spring training.

It will be February in two weeks.

We're waiting.