Preseason Power Rankings: AL East

[Nationals GM (Preston - Old)]

My rankings:

1. Yankees
2. Rays
3. Red Sox
4. Orioles
5. Blue Jays

[wrigley]

Bottom huh? Guess I will only be impressing people this year. Good to know.

[lincy]

I think the Orioles can suprise, if they can get any sort of a pitching staff... Yanks are loaded... Sox's lineup doesn't impress me much, their staff is good though... Rays have a legit chance to win the division... Blue Jays are young but have some talent to win some games...

Yanks
Rays
Orioles
Sox
Jays

[josh4bs]

The Yanks have 3 SP's currently....just 3. Moves can be made, yes, but I don't see a team competing with 3 SP's. On that note, the only bench player that will get some regular AB's is Damon. One or more injuries to the Yanks and he is in a deep hole...Not sure how he can be picked to finish first.

[Nationals GM (Preston - Old)]

Feb 17, 2010 7:07:13 GMT -8 @josh4bs said:

The Yanks have 3 SP's currently....just 3. Moves can be made, yes, but I don't see a team competing with 3 SP's. On that note, the only bench player that will get some regular AB's is Damon. One or more injuries to the Yanks and he is in a deep hole...Not sure how he can be picked to finish first.

True about the SP, but when you think about it, W and K would be the only disadvantage when you have fewer SP, he should win ERA, WHIP. At this point, he will need to add a starter if it means just reaching the 30 IP minimum. In terms of the offense, keep in mind that the average team in this league should only have enough starters for their lineup, and the AL teams should have one person off the bench. It would be wise to trade a star for some more depth though, but at this point, he just has the best talent in the division.

[raisingarizo]

A.L East
1 New York Yankees
2 Boston Red Sox
3 Toronto Blue Jays
4 Tampa Bay Rays
5 Baltimore Orioles

1. New York Yankees (170 Pts)
2009 Season Record: 103-59
Most Notable Offseason Acquisitions: Ryan Doumit, chase Utley, Ryan Braun, Michael Bourn, Jair Jurrjens, Yovanni Gallardo
It's really hard to imagine the Yankees failing to miss the postseason in 2010, especially after a season where they hit .283/.362/.478 and scored 915 runs. However their pitching took a hit this offseason with the losses of Burnett, Vasquez, Joba and up and coming Phil Hughes.
They have some questions with the pitching rotation that still includes CC Sabathia, After that it is dicey; Jurrjens is getting looked at for an injury that could be serious; Gallardo a definite talent will have to prove that he is beyond injuries and ready to elevate his talent.
Gallardo is the key. No matter how much offense they have closing out games could be tough with the loss of Mariano Rivera and with no suitable set up guy or closer in sight.
On the plus side the Yankees really have got the big-time offense to go along with the solid pitching that is could be improved over the next year.
At this point it is a decent bet to see in the WS but it remains to be seen where they finish in the AL East. For some very demanding fans the Yankees season could be disappointing.
Of course disappointing for the Yankees is still better than most.

2. Boston Red Sox (150Pts)
2009 Season Record: 95-67
Notable Acquisitions: Nate McClouth, Joba Chamberlain, Erik Bedard and Marco Scutaro.
Pitching wins championships.
The old adage will be true if Boston manages to stay atop or near the top in the AL East. No one, I repeat no one, wants to face a rotation of Beckett, Lester, Bucholz, Bedard and Joba. If Erik Bedard returns to his old self and Clay Bucholz pitches 75% of his potential this team will win a lot of low scoring 1 run games. To add insult to injury the depth is a staff unto itself headed by Dice K, Michael Bowden, Chad Gaudin and Junichi Tazawa. This added pitching could be important in having pieces to trade.
Offense will be key for Boston; sadly the team lost a lot of hitting with the departures of Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkillis, Jason Bay and then some. Even if David Ortiz can somehow make a comeback, Boston's attack isn't as scary once was. Offense could be a potential Achilles heel for them, but don’t forget they have the pitching to trade for a solution.
Expect Boston to make a run for the East, the Pennant and the Series. Just got to beat those annoying Yankees. To that extent the gap has been closed in a major way from this improved team.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (103 Pts)
2009 Season Record: 75-87
Notable Acquisitions: Madison Bumgarner, Scott Feldman, Asdrubal Cabrera, Hong Chih-Kuo, Franklin, Michael Young, Pablo Sandoval
The Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 were a disappointment considering they regressed from the 86-76 2008 campaign.
With Roy Halladay long gone, the Blue Jays really don't stand a chance in the powerhouse that is the AL East. At least not until their young talent matures into something big. Bear in mind they are far from pitching poor and could compete if they get off to a good start. The second half should see the benefit of added pitchers Madison Bumgarner, Scott Feldman and Hong-Chih-Kuo.
The Blue Jays have the hitting, because in 2009 they hit .266/.333/.440 and scored 798 runs. They were led by Adam Lind (.305/.370/.562, 35 HR, 114 RBI) and Aaron Hill (.286/.330/.499, 36 HR, 108 RBI). Hill has since been traded but the additions of Pablo Sandoval, Asdrubal Cabrera and Michael Young they only solidify the future of their offensive presence.
Is there talent on the way? Yes. But until it arrives, Toronto and its fans are going to have to endure a couple years of waiting until they're back in contention again. However it is fair to expect some improvement and an overall better record this season.

4. Tampa Bay Rays (71 Pts)
2009 Season Record: 84-78
Notable Acquisitions: Brian McCann, Shin Soo Choo,
It's not fun being in the AL East. The Rays finished 19 games behind the Yankees in 2009 and failed to reach the postseason a year after their remarkable 2008 season.
With the Red Sox and Yankees only getting stronger, I don't see the Rays finishing atop the AL East. I do see, however, a team that is young and highly competitive.
The Rays as a team hit .263/.343/.439 and scored 803 runs (fifth in AL) last season. So it's no secret that they can hit the ball pretty well. On the pitching side of things, a rotation led by James Shields had a 4.33 ERA and held opponents to a .257 batting average.
If Shields can rebound from a mediocre 2009 campaign, and both Price and the newest member Stephen Strasburg put up quality innings with steady improvement then the Rays have a shot at remaining in contention. This is a must especially with the losses of Garza and Wade Davis. This team is good, make no mistake, but if they were in any other division, they'd be really good.

5. Baltimore Orioles (99 Pts)
2009 Season Record: 64-98
Notable Acquisitions: Adam Laroche, Aubrey Huff, Adrian Gonzales
The Baltimore Orioles rank No. 27 for a reason: they had the worst pitching in the American League in 2009.
Sorry Orioles fans, but the birds really didn't do much last year.
The Orioles were led offensively by the likes of Adam Jones (.277/.335/.457, 19 HR, 70 RBI), Nick Markakis (.293/.347/.453, 18 HR, 101 RBI), Luke Scott (.258/.340/.488, 25 HR, 77 RBI), and Brian Roberts (.283/.356/.451, 16 HR, 79 RBI). As a team they hit .268/.332/.415 and scored 741 runs. As a result of being in the AL East, they had a -135 run differential. Now in 09’ The O’s Are betting that the likes of Adrian Gonzales and a few FAs they usually stay away from like Aubrey Huff will do the job. Well it’s more than a good bet and so expect a lot more runs than last years. Runs equal wins especially if the pitching holds up.
The Orioles pitching staff was horrific, as they gave up 876 runs and saw their ERA swell up to 5.15. In 2009 opponents hit .288 against the Orioles, which was the highest opponent BAA in the AL.
This offseason, the Orioles added veteran Kevin Millwood in the hopes that he could provide some stability in a horrible rotation. The Orioles are also added veteran Derek Lowe, who could help the team greatly. Here is one area that got older and it’s questionable if they will improve. Millwood has been inconsistent over his career. He gives innings and last year was great but you have to ask will the real Kevin Millwood stand up. Derek Lowe on the other hand is nothing if not consistent, however age may begin to play a factor. The opposite is how well will Matusz will probably pitch. He could be the ace by the all star break. Count on better pitching in 2010 and get set for 11’ and beyond as the farm system has lots of dynamic pitching.
Orioles fans can look forward to in 2010: potential and superstar catcher Matt Wieters' first full season. Wieters has great power potential that could make him one of the best catchers in the game.

[Harris]

Here's some nice friendly trash talk.. I'd put my top 3 up against any in the league.

[lincy]

good thing 3 pitchers won't get you 30 innings a week, unless they can somehow each throw 10 innings?

[Harris]

Feb 22, 2010 16:11:38 GMT -8 @lincy said:

good thing 3 pitchers won't get you 30 innings a week, unless they can somehow each throw 10 innings?

Plenty of time to acquire a few decent pitchers to fill out my staff. I think I'm fortunate that my only needs are a #4 starter, bench, and bullpen upgrade.

[Nationals GM (Preston - Old)]

Feb 22, 2010 17:02:59 GMT -8 Harris said:

Feb 22, 2010 16:11:38 GMT -8 @lincy said:

good thing 3 pitchers won't get you 30 innings a week, unless they can somehow each throw 10 innings?

Plenty of time to acquire a few decent pitchers to fill out my staff. I think I'm fortunate that my only needs are a #4 starter, bench, and bullpen upgrade.

yeah, depth is a big problem with not only your team but several others. It makes it very difficult to make a complete power rankings.

[mikekottka]

I will take that bet with you Harris when the Grienke Deal closes! I can really put my three up against you any week and take 9 out of 10 from ya, lol.

[raisingarizo]

Really Harris? Sabbathia, Jurrjens and Gallardo? I would take that bet as Felix Hernandez, Johan Santana and Jered Weaver win 9 out of 10 times. I admire the confidence but my 3 are not even the best 3 in our league (not really that close for that matter). So here is my trash talk, Gallardo young, hopeful but still a lot left to improve, Jurrjens very good but not even in the same county as Lincecum, Greinke, King Felix, Santana.......... He may not even be the best Braves pitcher with Hanson around. Lots of respect for Sabbathia. I have your team ranked as #1 overall but not as good as they were last year. The gap is closing. No free lunch for the T\Yanks this year. My trash talk is that your pitching will lose every time we face each other (but my offense will lose to you and offset things). Love the confidence though

[Deleted]

1.Rays
2.Yankees
3.Red Sox
4.Blue Jays
5.Orioles