With spring training games officially underway this weekend, what a better time than now to kick off our MLB divisional previews. Being a Maryland based blog, it only makes sense to start with the the division featuring our birds, the AL East.
The always competitive division has undergone a changing of the guard of sorts over the last two seasons or so, with the big spending Yankees and Red Sox no longer being the undeniable cream of the crop. Tampa has their winning system figured out to a T and are always a pesky foe, but the Blue Jays have been hoarding talent of their own. And don't look now, but the Orioles too are primed for a youthful push at prominence as well. This should be a really fun group to follow all year.
Baltimore Orioles
The darlings of the 2022 season allegedly were primed for major moves this winter. While that may not be the case in terms of marquee names, they did upgrade in virtually every area that had a free agent departure. Given the young nucleus, there's no way this team should majorly regress.
Catcher Adley Rutschman and third baseman Gunnar Henderson are the headliners to this youthful core, each shining in abbreviated stints last year. Their leadership and production will be the driving forces for this team. The rest of the underrated infield will keep things tidy, coming off a clean season where they turned the second most double plays. A busy outfield armed with big arms in the corners will have runners thinking twice too on sac flies.
Baltimore's starting rotation has as much depth as it has in years, albeit with no true ace. Mike Elias and company are hoping that up and comer Grayson Rodriguez will fill such a role, but it's best to keep expectations realistic early. Newcomers Kyle Gibson, Cole Irvin will also be at the front of this group, with Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells vying for work until John Means' return. Some quiet optimism for this group.
The bullpen was elite last year, even after trading closer Jorge Lopez. Their biggest hurdle at this point appears to be health, but if all goes according to plan they'll be firing on full cylinders by May. Felix Bautista will be looking to follow up on a stellar rookie season that saw him emerge as a fan favorite with a devastating sinker.
Boston Red Sox
From playoff hopefuls to last in the East- that was the story for the Boston Red Sox in 2022. Major injuries across the board robbed the BoSox of valuable time to gel as well as a needed infusion of talent, ultimately resulting in their first losing season since 2015 (minus the shortened COVID year).
As monster market teams will do, they went right back to work this offseason trying to fast forward their rebuild. Letting Xander Boegarts walk was never going to be an easy decision, but the team clearly favored Rafael Devers from the jump. There's hope that newly signed Justin Turner will help replace some of the production at the plate, but that's a big hole to fill. A smooth transition to American ball for Masataka Yoshida and an emergence by Triston Casas would also boost that effort. Not the brightest forecast however, in our opinion.
On paper, this Red Sox rotation could be formidable, but there's a ton of unanswered questions due to age and injury. Corey Kluber on a one-year deal should pay off for this team in some way or another, whether it be a member of the team or a piece to flip at the deadline. As an Orioles fan, I'm all too familiar of late with the half year play and dump. Chris Sale likely won't ever rediscover his previously dominant form, but the Boston faithful hope he can at least be a viable part of the staff.
Along with a banged up starters, a shaky bullpen helped lead to a bottom five ERA for the Sox a year ago. The additions of Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin will definitely help, but this isn't a bullpen that opposing lineups will dread. Can't say it feels like this team noticeably improved.
New York Yankees
A torrid first half of 2022 ceded way to a flat, disappointing August and September that saw the Yankees go from the class of the MLB to an ass kicking in the ALCS. What a beautifully frustrating finish to observe as a rival fan, as the team melted internally and on the playing field.
Aaron Judge was clearly the King of the Bronx last year, breaking Roger Maris' AL home run record en route to a handsome, and deserved, pay day. But that was pretty much the extent of their offensive production, with no other regular batting over .261. Anthony Rizzo's return will help knock some runs in, but he'll struggle with regular contact. This lineup personifies bomb or bust.
The Yankees' starters should be a bright spot for the team throughout 2023. I didn't love the length of the Carlos Rodon deal, but he has potential to be one of the best #2's in the league behind Gerrit Cole. With Nestor and Luis Severino still in the mix too, this pitching staff will keep the Bombers in many a game.
It'll then fall on the bullpen to seal the deal, an area they've been generally successful. For as many complaints as Clay Holmes received last season, he really was a solid closer. Lou Trivino and offseason acquisition Tommy Kahnle are capable relief arms as well. This team will have plenty of trouble consistently scoring runs, but their pitching staff should allow them to compete night in and night out.
Tampa Bay Rays
The true model franchise here...no bankroll? No fans? No problem. Low cost signings and brilliant player development keeps this team afloat. What the Rays manage to overcome to produce annual contenders is truly masterful to witness. Hoping Mike Elias has been taking notes.
There may not be a truly overpowering bat in their lineup, but there really isn't a weak point either. Their considerable positional depth allows for them to mix up their lineups and take utilize advantageous matchups. Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz led the way for them in 2022, but it's going to be the Wander Franco show from here. Really excited to see what he can do in a full season.
Like New York, the true strength of this team comes from their arms. Shane McClanahan is coming off a campaign where he was an absolute machine, compiling a 2.54 ERA and a 5.1 K:BB ratio. Tyler Glasnow, Jeff Springs and Drew Rasmussen round out the middle of this absurd rotation, with a rare free agent signing in Zach Elfin as the five. For some reason, it feels like he's set to explode...Tampa had to see something in him to award him the richest contract on the team.
While not dominant, the Rays' bullpen should be more than adequate to close out games for this talented squad. Throw in the fact that there's some insane talent knocking on the door from the farm system, and this is my team to beat in the AL East.
Toronto Blue Jays
Up north to Canada we go to wrap up the AL East. Toronto has been loading up on talent for the last three seasons and are hopeful that this is the year they really break through.
Offensively, the squad is loaded, boasting big names such as Vlad Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer and Daulton Varsho. This lineup may have the most pop top to bottom of any in the East and will be difficult to maneuver for opposing hurlers. Expect home runs a plenty.
The Jays' will go as far as their pitchers take them however. Ace Kevin Gausman has continued his revelation of a career after leaving Baltimore, posting three straight seasons with a sub-four ERA. Alek Manoah and 2022 trade acquisition Jose Berrios are a sharp duo behind him, plus recent addition Chris Bassit, who came over in free agency from the Mets. Maybe not the who's who that the Yankees can claim, but a staff that can more than hold their own.
Their bullpen was a weaker point for them a year ago, ultimately derailing their playoff aspirations. Fortunately for them, their offense will be pumping up scoreboards much of the season. But in crunch time, this unit will need to step up if Toronto is going to go far. Wouldn't put a midseason trade past them to bolster their relievers.
Bold Predictions
-The Rays win the division
-Shane McClanahan wins the AL Cy Young
-New York starts strong again but fades late, finishing no higher than 3rd
-Aaron Judge hits 48 home runs or less
-The Orioles secure a wild card seed late with the help of a splash mid-season trade
-Gunnar Henderson outplays Wander Franco
-Vlad Guerrero Jr. sets a career high in RBI and is a legit MVP contender
-Toronto loses their wild card spot to Baltimore in the final week of the season
-The Blue Jays will lead all MLB teams in home runs
-Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers each hit over .300
-Boston will have less than 80 wins for a second consecutive year
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@Choppinglines
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