The AL East was a battle between New York and Boston for the majority of the past two decades. But, last year the Tampa Bay Rays burst onto the scene and won the AL East. The Sox then grabbed the wildcard, and the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in a long time. Can Tampa Bay do it again? Were CC, Teixeira, and Burnett enough to get the Yanks back into the postseason? Is Boston playing the quiet powerhouse role? What about Baltimore and Toronto, do they stand a chance? Here is your 2009 AL East preview.
Projected AL East Standings
1. Boston Red Sox- AL East Champions
2. Tampa Bay Rays- AL Wildcard Winner
3. New York Yankees
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Boston Red Sox
Key arrivals: Brad Penny, John Smoltz, Rocco Baldelli, Takasashi Saito, Ramon Ram
irezKey departures: Coco Crisp, Alex Cora, Paul Byrd
The Boston Red Sox did not make the giant free agent splash, but they added a boatload of very underrated players. They stole Smoltz from Atlanta, Baldelli from Tampa Bay, and Penny and Saito from LA. Penny was an ace, Saito a closer, Smoltz an ace, and Baldelli was at one time a top prospect. Penny is now a fifth starter, Saito an extra bullpen arm, Smoltz a spare starter who returns in May, and Baldelli a fourth outfielder. If that is not value, I do not know what is. The rotation is solid with Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Wake, and P! enny. The bullpen is deep with Pap, Saito, Okajima, Ramirez, a! nd Delca rmen. They may have the best pitching staff in the AL. The lineup is without Manny Ramirez, but last year they were still able to make the ALCS. Pedroia and Youkilis have become huge sluggers in this lineup. Jason Bay is in a contract season and is set for a monster year. I really like the makeup of this team. There are some question marks with Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo, but Lowell seems healthy (hit a HR today) and Lowrie looks to be the starting SS. Lugo is out for now, but anything he adds is just gravy. Bottom line this is the best team in the AL East.
Tampa Bay Rays
Key arrivals: Pat Burrell, Matt Joyce, Jason Isringhausen
Key departures: Cliff Floyd, Edwin Jackson
The Rays had a dream season last year making the World Series where they fell to Philadelphia. They dropped the "Devil" from their name and with that went their losing ways. Tampa Bay now needs to avoid a let-down season, much like Colorado experienced last year. I think the Rays slip a bit, but overall remain in contention because they added some nice pieces this offseason. Pat the Bat adds some pop to their already stacked lineup. Longoria, Upton, Pena, and Crawford are all back and this is the best lineup in this division. Jackson leaves the rotation, but the core is still there in Shields, Kazmir, Garza, Sonnastine all return with David Price taking the fifth slot. Price was huge for them last postseason and should have a nice season. The bullpen is much impro! ved as well with Isringhausen added to the mix. This is a play! off team on paper, but we will see if they have the let-down year or not.
New York Yankees
Key arrivals: CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher
Key departures: Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina (retired)
The Yankees cracked open the checkbook this offseason in an attempt to make it back to the playoffs. But will it be enough? I say no and here is why. They got Sabathia who is going to be phenomenal, but they lost Mussina who had 20 wins. Burnett had one gr! eat season when he was actually healthy, that was last year. Now he has the money, I expect him to tail off as many do. Wang is back, and I think this is more important than Burnett. Teixeira was a huge prize, but New York needed him after losing their #3 and #5 hitters. These are reasons why I cannot say they are a better baseball team. I do not see any opportunity for huge improvements because they are no longer developing players. New York needs to use their farm a lot more if they expect to be good again. That is how they got guys like Jeter and Posada. NY is not a playoff team because Boston and Tampa Bay are better once again.
Baltimore Orioles
Key arrivals: Ty Wigginton, Cesar Izturis, Ryan Freel, Gregg Zaun
Key departures: Daniel Cabrera, Ramon Hernandez, Jay Payton (free agent)
Baltimore is still in the rebuilding process. They tried to become legitimate years ago adding Miguel Tejada and Javier Lopez, but that did not work out. Now the O's will try through the farm like Tampa Bay did. Baltimore will be as good as their kids like Adam Jones, Felix Pie, and Nick Markakis are. Their rotation is horrible and this is why they have no shot at finishing above fourth place. Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora headline the vets and these guys are enough to keep them out of the basement. At the end of the day, the rebuilding process continues.
Toronto Blue Jays
Key arrivals: Marco Scutaro
Key departures: AJ Burnett
Toronto pretty much said they will add nothing in free agency, and they didn't. They made a small signing of Marco Scutaro, but he won't be much of a factor. AJ Burnett is gone, but that was expected. Roy Halladay is still there and guarantees a win at least every fifth day, but beyond that this team is bad. Alex Rios is the lone star, while players like Vernon Wells, Scott Rolen, and Lyle Overbay will continue to fade away. The bullpen is solid, but the issue is their rotation and lineup. Toronto better get used to the ba! sement because that is where the majority of their season will! be spen t.
