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The past three years the American League representative in the World Series has come from the same division: the AL East. In 2007, the Boston Red Sox swept their way to their second title of the decade, while the young and upstart Tampa Bay Rays advanced to the Fall Classic in 2008. Last season, the New York Yankees won their 27th World Series title in franchise history.
This season, those same three teams are expected to battle for the division title, while the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are in the process of rebuilding. With pitchers and catchers reporting and spring training almost in full swing, the future is bright for Red Sox fans.
This offseason marked a transformation of the Red Sox, who have gone away from their power approach and are focused on pitching and defense. As the AL Wildcard winners last season, Boston saw their top hitter Jason Bay leave via free agency. They acquired Adrian Beltre, Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron to fill out their lineup.
With Beltre, Scutaro, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis in the infield, the Red Sox have above-average to excellent defenders at all four positions. Jacoby Ellsbury shifts to left field, while Mike Cameron will man center and J.D. Drew will play right. If Cameron’s 37-year-old legs hold up, all three outfielders can cover a lot of ground and are very instinctive with their reads.
The pitching staff was bolstered by the acquisition of prized righthander John Lackey. With Jon Lester emerging as one of the top pitchers in the game, along with Josh Beckett and Lackey, Boston has three No. 1 starters. Add in Daisuke Matsuzaka, who just two years ago won 18 games and is reportedly in his best shape ever, as well as young righty Clay Buchholz and veteran Tim Wakefield, and the Red Sox have six capable above-average starters. The bullpen will be a strength with power arms Jonathan Papelbon closing and Daniel Bard setting him up.
The biggest question mark heading into the season is the offense for the Red Sox. Marco Scutaro had a career year last year, but is already in his 30s, while Cameron is aging and Beltre is an enigma at the plate. Replacing Bay will be tough, but the Sox can do it. Pedroia is poised to go back to his 2008 MVP form, Youkilis has established himself as an All-Star and they will have a full season from catcher Victor Martinez.
Ellsbury is the fastest player the Red Sox have ever had and Drew is one of the most underrated players in the game despite missing extensive periods of time due to injury. If aging star David Ortiz can avoid having a monumental slump to start the season and play more like he did in the second half, then the Red Sox should be fine.
General manager Theo Epstein and Co. has changed the club since their first World Series title in 2004. No longer are they one of juggernaut offenses in the game like the Yankees. With a young core and an emphasis on pitching, the Red Sox are poised to break out again in 2010, but they will have their challenges.
The Yankees are the defending champs and return virtually everyone useful in their lineup and pitching staff and added star outfielder Curtis Granderson. The only question mark is the age of New York players and whether they can withstand injuries. No doubt, though, the Yankees will be in the hunt for October because they have a star-studded lineup and a maximum payroll to buy anyone they want.
The other chief challenger will be the Rays. They slumped last season after winning the AL East crown and pennant in 2008, but they have a young, rising squad with plenty of star power. Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford are perennial All-Stars, while Matt Garza and James Shields anchor a solid rotation. David Price and B.J. Upton are the biggest question marks and if they can produce at as high of a level as their potential suggests, the Rays will be in it for the long run. In addition, star prospects Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson will be available during the season.
The teams may end up with the top three records in the league, but only two can make the playoffs. The Red Sox pitching staff will be the best and if their offense doesn’t pick up, they have plenty of chips to trade for a slugger like Adrian Gonzalez. I’ll take the Red Sox and Yankees as the two playoff teams, although I will probably be wrong with my prediction and the Orioles and Blue Jays will surge to the top.
