The
American League East has been dominant over the years
with the winner usually competing in the late September
classic. This year is no different. For the past decade
or so the Yankees and the Red Sox were battling for the
top spot and the Wild Card. However, this past off season
saw many big time free agents signing by teams striving
to improve and unseat the Yankees and the Red Sox. This
ensures an exciting season to come. Here is the AL East
analysis and preview with the teams listed in their predicted
order of finish.
New
York Yankees
The New York Yankee's began their road to contend in the
east by signing free agent center fielder Johnny Damon
as the leadoff hitter replacing Bernie Williams. Followed
by Short Stop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez,
right fielder Gary Sheffield, left fielder Hideki Matsui,
catcher Jorge Posada, first base Jason Giambi and second
base Robinson Cano. Bernie Williams will take on the DH
duty. The Yankees still process the most powerful lineup
from top to bottom.
The
Yankee bullpen is led by Kyle Farnsworth and Octavio Dotel,
followed by closer Mariano Rivera. Starting pitching is
solid with Chien-Ming Wang, veteran Randy Johnson, Carl
Pavano, Mike Mussina, Aaron Small and Jaret Wright.
The
only knock against the Yankees as proven from past seasons
is their veterans are getting older and the Yankees are
locked up with contracts for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless,
early prediction has the Yankees still the class of the
east and the team to beat.
Boston
Red Sox
After
a disappointing season of failing to return to the fall
classic, the Red Sox has once again restocked in the off
season to make another push for the pennant. They have
improved with the signing of big name free agent starting
pitcher Josh Beckett, third baseman Mike Lowell, Right
Fielder Wily Mo Pena. Short stop Alex Gonzalez, center
fielder Coco Crisp, who will bat leadoff and a good addition
replacing the departed Damon as the leader behind Oritz.
The Red Sox processes the second best lineup with RBI
machine left fielder Manny Ramirez, DH David Ortiz, catcher
Jason Varitek, right fielder Trot Nixon and first baseman
Kevin Youkilis.
Starting
pitching is solid behind Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield,
Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, and David Wells. One questionable
area for the Red Sox is their bullpen. Both Mike Timlin
and Keith Foulke struggled. Jonathon Papelbon and Craig
Hansen are projected as replacement should the starting
losers falter. Look for the Red Sox to battle the Yankees
come late September.
Toronto
Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays improved vastly by addressing all
their deficiency from last season with solid off season
acquisitions both in pitching and offence by signing free
agent pitcher in A.J. Burnett, all star Closer B.J. Ryan,
World Series MVP Troy Glaus, first baseman baseman Lyle
Overbay and Veteran Catcher Bengie Molina. This adds to
a lineup that is already potent with seasoned starters
such as Gold Glove winning center fielder Vernon Wells,
out fielder Frank Catalanotto, Shea Hillenbrand, catcher
Gregg Zaun and Russ Adams.
Pitching
is the class of the division behind Ryan, Cy Young winner
Roy Halladay, Rookie Sensation Gustavo Chacin, Josh Towers
and Ted Lilly. Look for the Blue Jays to contend for the
top spot in September.
Baltimore
Orioles
The
Orioles remained status quo with little activity during
the off season while other teams made strives. They tweaked
their lineup by signing veteran starting pitcher Kris
Benson from the Mets, setup pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, Catcher
Ramon Hernandez, left fielder Kevin Millar, DH Jeff Conine
and center fielder Corey Patterson from the Cubs.
Baltimore
lineup is very strong with second base Brian Roberts,
third baseman Melvin Mora, right fielderJay
Gibbons, center fielder Luis Matos and DH Javy Lopez.
The
Orioles starting pitching is rock solid behind Rodrigo
Lopez, Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera, Kris Benson, and Bruce
Chen. The solid bullpen is backed by Todd Williams, John
Parrish and closer Chris Ray.
Tampa
Bay Devil Rays
Tampa
Bay Devil Rays is an underrated team plagued by losing
seasons and team instability in a competitive division.
The Devil Rays are not expected to win the division any
time soon. The off season trade by the Devil Rays consist
of acquiring Sean Burroughs from the Padres, pitcher Shinji
Mori, third baseman Russell Branyan and reliever Dan Miceli.
The closer position will be by committee with Dan Miceli,
Chad Orvella, Jesus Colome, and Shawn Camp.
The
Devil Rays lineup is young including third baseman Aubrey
Huff, second base Jorge Cantu, left fielder Carl Crawford,
center fielder Rocco Baldelli, Short Stop B.J. Upton,
out fielder Delmon Young and DH Jonny Gomes.
The Rays pitching is suspect. However, lefty Scott Kazmir
is a young ace that can be a potential big game winner.
Mark Hendrickson, Casey Fossum, and Doug Waechter rounds
up the not too stellar line up.
The Devil Rays strength is their youth. Look for them
to be a solid team in years to come.
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