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We’re still a month away from opening day, and it has probably been the weirdest offseason in recent memory. Here is just a quick synopsis. We saw record contracts – CC Sabathia (largest for a pitcher). We also saw the Yankees throw around close to a half billion dollars during a time where the rest of the country is in an economic collapse; we saw future Hall of Famers and former all-stars unsigned due to that aforementioned economy, and we had the latest and possibly most damaging chapter of the Steroid era. With all that going on, it’s possible you might have forgotten about the actual games that need to be played. Here’s a quick look into the most talented and most controversial division in all of baseball.
A.L. East
This division is stocked full of story lines and “what ifs” – the steroid scandals, the rivalries, and the possibility that three teams that could easily make the World Series, let alone the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Rays – I tried to dissect this division without any sense of bias, and in doing so I need to put the defending American League champs at the top. Their biggest concern – barring injury – is if any of their great young players will take a step back. This team is at good odds to end up on top. Another year under the belt of B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria, as well as pitchers Matt Garza, J.P. Howell, Scott Kazmir and David Price will only help this team. Also, the addition of Pat Burrell – who can add a big bat and experience in the middle of that young lineup – will prove helpful.
Boston Red Sox – This team can easily jump the Rays and make it back to the promised land for the third time in six years. To do this, they need to be healthy, and who knows if that will happen. By not being able to reel in Mark Teixeira, the Sox put all their eggs in the basket of fragile Mike Lowell and David Ortiz, who are both coming off injuries. Also, the Nation will have to hope their fearless leader Jason Varitek rebounds from a .220-year. There should also be a little worry concerning the pitching staff. With injuries to John Smoltz and past injuries with fellow newcomer Brad Penny and veteran Josh Beckett, the starting rotation looks a little slim. However, if these three rebound and pitch to their potential, Lester pitches another strong year, and a fifth starter pitches productively – either Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson – then you have one of the finest starting rotations in the league. As far as the bullpen goes, if the Sox are able to keep Masterson in the pen, along with set-up men Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima and all-star closer Jonathon Papelbon, then you also have a high-powered pen to end the game.
The Red Sox have one of the most balanced rosters of position players in the league. With a good mix of young studs with playoff experience and veterans with leadership, this group is thinking World Series or bust. It will be tough for Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis to duplicate their years last year, but with another year of experience under their belt, they are more than capable.
As previously mentioned, the hole missing at the corner infield positions if someone were to go down with an injury is troublesome, with no backup at first if Youkilis went down or had to move to third because of Mike Lowell getting hurt again. The only other thing missing from this team is a big bat to counter a hopefully healthy David Ortiz. The trade for Jason Bay gave Boston one of the most well-rounded outfields in the league with Ellsbury’s and Drew’s speed, Bay’s contact and adequate power and the fielding prowess of Ellsbury, but the one thing it didn’t bring back was a threatening bat in the middle of the lineup. This Red Sox team is the most qualified to make it to the Fall Classic, but just as easily could miss the playoffs if things take a turn for the worse.
New York Yankees – What is there to say about this team that hasn’t already been said? You could start with their abundance of spending – bringing in the top three most coveted free agents this offseason. Or you could focus on their circus-like atmosphere that will follow them due to A-rodgate. This team is by far the wildcard of the entire league. If everything goes right for this squad, they could put up a record number of wins. But, if history has taught us anything, it is clear this won’t be the case. It’s almost unfathomable to ever see this coming, but this team with a payroll of over 200 million dollars will miss the playoffs for a second straight year. Talent wise, few teams if any can match what this team brings. They have the most talented infield in the league, a solid outfield that will get on base for the power guys and a potentially great starting rotation with C.C. Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlin and Andy Pettitte. The only part of this team that needs a face-lift, beside a little more depth in the outfield, is the bullpen. Nevertheless, they still have arguably the greatest closer ever still waiting for the ninth. However, no matter how talented of a team they put on the field, the off-field stories will be too much to overcome. We will witness a monumental meltdown in the Bronx this year.
Toronto Blue Jays – Sometimes I feel bad for this team. If they played in N.L. West this team could be a playoff team almost every year. This team always has the pieces to compete, but can never find the one piece that would put them over the edge. They have one of the top three pitchers in the league, the ever-consistent Roy Halladay. They have one of the best young players in the league, Alex Rios, as well as perennial all-star Vernon Wells. If they could find that one more piece to add to that lineup and have consistency in their bullpen this team would be in good shape. Since they don’t, they will have to watch the playoffs on the couch yet again wondering how they can leap frog at least two other A.L. East teams ahead of them.
Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles have filled the void of bottom feeders left by the Rays quite nicely. A team clearly in a rebuilding period almost made a splash this offseason by signing coveted hometown man Mark Teixeira to a deal. Even with Teixeira though, this team still would be far away from the playoffs. They have some foundation in place, especially with young outfielder Nick Markakis, and solid veterans in the speedy Brian Roberts and the underrated Aubrey Huff. Yet, until this team receives some help in the rotation and the bullpen, you can expect them to sit comfortably in fifth place for a while.
There you have it: the most staggering of divisions in the entire organization – on and off the field. I can tell you one thing, the team representing the American League in the World Series will be out of the A.L. East – I just don’t know who that will be.
I guess that’s why we play the games.
Bangor Daily News