Today I start my preview by breaking down the American League East.
AL EAST
The Yankees and Red Sox will once again battle for AL East supremacy
1. Boston Red Sox
OFFENSE- A+
The additions of Crawford and Gonzalez more than makes up for the losses of Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre, and ensures that Boston will have one of the best offenses in baseball. A healthy Ellsbury, coupled with new addition Crawford, will create one of the most dynamic stolen base duos in the game, and Gonzalez, Youkilis, Pedroia, and Ortiz will provide a ton of pop.
STARTING PITCHING- B+
Jon Lester has established himself as a legitimate ace, and Bucholtz is solid. After that, it comes down to whether or not veterans Beckett, Lackey and Matusaka will be able to rebound from off years.
BULLPEN- A
The addition of Jenks to an already solid bullpen of Papelbon and Bard ensures this will remain a strength in Boston.
2. NY Yankees (Wild Card)
OFFENSE- A
The Yankees are always an elite offensive team, and Rodriguez, Texiera, Cano, and Swisher will continue to mash. Rebounds from Jeter, new addition Russel Martin and Granderson could make a good offense great.
STARTING PITCHING- C+
Without a doubt, the Yankees biggest weakness and the one obvious factor that could keep them out of the playoffs. Sabathia is as good as they come, Hughes is solid and everyone else is a prayer. If some combination of Nova, Garcia, Colon, Burnett, etc. can be effective, or if they can grab a starter at the deadline they should be okay, but right now the rotation is a big uncertainty.
BULLPEN- A+
Rivera is the best closer of all time, and adding 40+ save former closer Soriano as a setup man with lefty specialist Feliciano ensures that this bullpen will be an elite unit.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
OFFENSE- C
Losing Pena and Crawford was a huge blow to the Rays; although veteran additions Manny and Damon will certainly add some talent and charisma to this group, their offense took a major step back from last year.
STARTING PITCHING- C+
Price is an ace and Shields is solid. After that their rotation is mostly average with some upside. Jeremy Hellickson could be the exception to that rule, and is definitely a player to watch.
BULLPEN- D
They have some talent here, but the fact that they're one of the few teams in baseball without a set closer tells you all you need to know.
4. Baltimore Orioles
OFFENSE- B
The additions of sluggers Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Derek Lee,and JJ Hardy will result in a vastly improved offense in Baltimore. Combine them with standouts Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis and there is definitely reason to have hope here.
STARTING PITCHING- D+
Guys like Guthrie and Matusz come highly touted but haven't a chance to prove themselves. The rest of the rotation is young, with only Duchscherer providing any real veteran experience. Its a wait and see with this group, but a good performance by the starting rotation could clinch them 3rd in the division.
BULLPEN- C
Kevin Gregg is far from elite, but usually gets the job done at closer. Mike Gonzalez has good potential as a setup man.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
OFFENSE- C
This group has some talent (Bautista, Rajai Davis, Adam Lind, Yunel Escobar) but looks mostly average. Underperformer or not, the loss of Vernon Wells to the Angels will hurt them.
STARTING PITCHING- C-
Romero and Morrow have potential, but after that its mostly young unproven guys in the rotation. Barring drastic improvements by a lot of young players, this rotation won't impress anyone.
BULLPEN- C
Both Frank Franscisco and Octavio Dotel can close, but no team would want to have to resort to making either a closer. Combined with Jon Rauch, this unit should fare fine but is far from elite.
AL EAST
The Yankees and Red Sox will once again battle for AL East supremacy1. Boston Red Sox
OFFENSE- A+
The additions of Crawford and Gonzalez more than makes up for the losses of Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre, and ensures that Boston will have one of the best offenses in baseball. A healthy Ellsbury, coupled with new addition Crawford, will create one of the most dynamic stolen base duos in the game, and Gonzalez, Youkilis, Pedroia, and Ortiz will provide a ton of pop.
STARTING PITCHING- B+
Jon Lester has established himself as a legitimate ace, and Bucholtz is solid. After that, it comes down to whether or not veterans Beckett, Lackey and Matusaka will be able to rebound from off years.
BULLPEN- A
The addition of Jenks to an already solid bullpen of Papelbon and Bard ensures this will remain a strength in Boston.
2. NY Yankees (Wild Card)
OFFENSE- A
The Yankees are always an elite offensive team, and Rodriguez, Texiera, Cano, and Swisher will continue to mash. Rebounds from Jeter, new addition Russel Martin and Granderson could make a good offense great.
STARTING PITCHING- C+
Without a doubt, the Yankees biggest weakness and the one obvious factor that could keep them out of the playoffs. Sabathia is as good as they come, Hughes is solid and everyone else is a prayer. If some combination of Nova, Garcia, Colon, Burnett, etc. can be effective, or if they can grab a starter at the deadline they should be okay, but right now the rotation is a big uncertainty.
BULLPEN- A+
Rivera is the best closer of all time, and adding 40+ save former closer Soriano as a setup man with lefty specialist Feliciano ensures that this bullpen will be an elite unit.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
OFFENSE- C
Losing Pena and Crawford was a huge blow to the Rays; although veteran additions Manny and Damon will certainly add some talent and charisma to this group, their offense took a major step back from last year.
STARTING PITCHING- C+
Price is an ace and Shields is solid. After that their rotation is mostly average with some upside. Jeremy Hellickson could be the exception to that rule, and is definitely a player to watch.
BULLPEN- D
They have some talent here, but the fact that they're one of the few teams in baseball without a set closer tells you all you need to know.
4. Baltimore Orioles
OFFENSE- B
The additions of sluggers Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Derek Lee,and JJ Hardy will result in a vastly improved offense in Baltimore. Combine them with standouts Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis and there is definitely reason to have hope here.
STARTING PITCHING- D+
Guys like Guthrie and Matusz come highly touted but haven't a chance to prove themselves. The rest of the rotation is young, with only Duchscherer providing any real veteran experience. Its a wait and see with this group, but a good performance by the starting rotation could clinch them 3rd in the division.
BULLPEN- C
Kevin Gregg is far from elite, but usually gets the job done at closer. Mike Gonzalez has good potential as a setup man.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
OFFENSE- C
This group has some talent (Bautista, Rajai Davis, Adam Lind, Yunel Escobar) but looks mostly average. Underperformer or not, the loss of Vernon Wells to the Angels will hurt them.
STARTING PITCHING- C-
Romero and Morrow have potential, but after that its mostly young unproven guys in the rotation. Barring drastic improvements by a lot of young players, this rotation won't impress anyone.
BULLPEN- C
Both Frank Franscisco and Octavio Dotel can close, but no team would want to have to resort to making either a closer. Combined with Jon Rauch, this unit should fare fine but is far from elite.
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