AL East rumors & news: A-Rod, Overbay, Bourn, Lohse, Rodney, Ugly Hats

First thing to know about the American League East this week: this Biogenesis scandal (which sounds like a perfect materia weapon from FFVII) is getting pretty big, not the least of which is because Alex Rodriguez is highly implicated and some of the details are mind-blowing (like the clinic operator Anthony Bosch missing A-Rod's vein and blood getting 'everywhere').

The other thing to know is that life goes on outside of A-Rod, and when all is said and done I suspect he'll be a passing afterthought in regards to how this season shakes out ... unless my Yankees friends are looking for scapegoats. Here's all the latest:

Yankees

• Alex Rodriguez unlikely to return to Yankees, according to report - MLB Daily Dish
  Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is unlikely to play for the New York Yankees again, says report.
• Yankees want to void final $114 million of Alex Rodriguez's contract - MLB Daily Dish
  The Yankees are reportedly trying to get out of the over $20 million a year they owe Alex Rodriguez, although it doesn't seem likely that will happen, even if his alleged connection to a PED clinic is completely true.
• Yankees sign Travis Hafner - MLB Daily Dish
  The New York Yankees have signed free-agent designated hitter Travis Hafner to a one-year deal in the neighborhood of $2 million.
• Yankees DFA Russ Canzler to make room for Travis Hafner - MLB Daily Dish
  Russ Canzler has been designated for assignment just 26 days after being claimed by the Yankees. The move was made to clear up room on the 40-man roster for Travis Hafner.
• Yankees Announce 44 Spring Training Invitations - Pinstriped Bible
  Fourty four invitees will join the regular 40-man roster in Tampa for Yankees' Spring Training in twelve days.
• A World Without Alex Rodriguez: The Retconning of the New York Yankees - Pinstriped Bible
  A writer's dream comes true and a world dies screaming!

Red Sox

• Red Sox sign Lyle Overbay - MLB Daily Dish
  The Boston Red Sox have signed first baseman Lyle Overbay to a minor league contract.
• Minor moves: White Sox, Pirates, Red Sox - MLB Daily Dish
  Three right-handers -- Andrew Brackman, Kyle Waldrop, and JD Durbin -- have signed minor-league deals with three different clubs this week.
• Red Sox rumors: Athletics' Brandon Moss a fit for Boston? - MLB Daily Dish
  Brandon Moss would appear to be a perfect fit for the Red Sox, but the Athletics aren't interested in trading him.
• Red Sox rumors: Boston still needs first base help - MLB Daily Dish
  The Sox are on the lookout for a failsafe in case Napoli's hip gives out.
• The Next Great Red Sox Team: A Look At The 2016 Boston Red Sox - Over the Monster
  The Red Sox have protected their farm system even while signing numerous free agents this off-season. Here is a look at what they're protecting: the next great Red Sox team.

Orioles

• Orioles rumors: Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse - MLB Daily Dish
  Is Kyle Lohse a pontetial fit for the Orioles?
• Orioles rumors: Baltimore targeting a reliever - MLB Daily Dish
  The O's had the best bullpen in baseball in 2012, but that's not stopping them from looking for more bullpen arms.
• Orioles minor moves: Rob Delaney, Manny Delcarmen, Chris Pettit - MLB Daily Dish
  The Orioles continued to reinforce their minor league system with minor league signings today. Baltimore signed Rob Delaney, Manny Delcarmen, and Chris Pettit.
• Comparing the A.L. East Center Fielders - Camden Chat
  Comparing Adam Jones, Jacoby Ellsbury, Colby Rasmus, Desmond Jennings, and Curtis Granderson.

Rays

• Fernando Rodney expects Rays will extend him - MLB Daily Dish
  Closer Fernando Rodney believes the Rays will give him a two year extension following his incredible 2012 season, but there is still no deal in place.
• Kyle Farnsworth's Ground Ball Rate - DRaysBay
  Since joining the Rays, Kyle Farnsworth has adjusted his pitch usage to get more ground balls.

Blue Jays

• Blues Jays sign Andy LaRoche to minor-league deal - MLB Daily Dish
  The journeyman younger brother of Nats' first baseman Adam will vie for a spot on Toronto's roster in big-league camp.
• Marlins claim Sam Dyson from Blue Jays - MLB Daily Dish
  The Miami Marlins have claimed right-hander Sam Dyson off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Blue Jays Questions, And, Maybe, Some Answers - Bluebird Banter
  "Scott Ferguson over at TSN.ca has some questions that the Blue Jays have to answer this spring. They are likely as good as any set of questions about the Jays, though I'm sure we could come up..."
• New Blue Jays Batting Practice Cap More Horrible Than Expected - Bluebird Banter
  "Remember last month when the new Blue Jays batting practice caps were leaked by ESPN and I wrote that it was "ugly but at least not racist"? Well, it turns out that it was even uglier than I could..."
• Baseball America's Top Ten Blue Jay Prospects - Bluebird Banter
  "While we are in the home stretch of putting together our Blue Jay top prospects list, I promises to get it done by the end of the weekend and get posting by the end of next week, Baseball America..."