AL EAST PREVIEW

5—BALTIMORE ORIOLES: The O’s will give the A’s a run for worst team in baseball as full rebuilding mode has begun after trades that sent Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard packing. Another trade that could send 2B Brian Roberts out the door could take place any day, and 3B Melvin Mora has expressed displeasure and dropped hints that he’d like to be moved as well.

CF Adam Jones is the key to the rebuilding process after coming over from Seattle in the Bedard deal. Jones is regarded as a 5-tool player and could be very special down the road. Paired with RF Nick Markakis (.300 average, 23 home runs, 112 RBI’s), and it appears the Orioles at least have some direction. Remaining veterans such as 1B Kevin Millar, catcher Ramon Hernandez and DH Aubrey Huff will help teach the youngsters the ropes until they are dealt for prospects down the road.

Jeremy Guthrie (7-5, 3.70 ERA) takes over the ace spot Bedard had held, but is far from an ace on a team looking to compete. Highly touted youngsters Adam Loewen and Garrett Olson will get every chance to prove their worth, and it would be nice if Daniel Cabrera (9-18, 5.55) would ever come close to meeting his potential. Nothing is more worthless than a good bullpen on a bad team, which is exactly the case in Baltimore. 30-year-old George Sherrill was named the closer for the first time in his career. Former closers Chris Ray and Danys Baez surround him, along with setup men Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker.


4—TAMPA BAY RAYS: The “Devil” is no longer haunting the Rays as a young, talented and exciting team will take the field in Tampa. For the first time in franchise history, the Rays will finish over .500—lets say at 84-78.

LF Carl Crawford (.315, 50 stolen bases) and CF B.J. Upton (.300—24—82—22 stolen bases) will propel the lineup to score plenty of runs , while making sure that many balls fail to find the ground in the outfield. Scouts believe 3B Evan Longoria is a special player. Meanwhile 1B Carlos Pena (46 HR, 121 RBI) appears to have finally tapped the unlimited talent Oakland GM Billy Beane saw when he thought Pena could easily replace Jason Giambi. Pena is already the best power hitter in franchise history and is the key to the Rays finding more offensive success then in year’s past.

Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.48, 239 strikeouts) remains the ace, but he has help in the rotation for the first time. He also needs to decrease his pitch count and stop worrying about the strikeout. James Shields (12-8, 3.85) is the best young pitcher in baseball that nobody knows about. The acquisition of Matt Garza—from the Twins for Delmon Young—adds depth to the rotation. Andy Sonnanstine’s windup gives hitters headaches and he should improve on his 6-10 record with more experience. The bullpen still has question marks as Troy Percival was signed to close games after finding success with the Cardinals following a brief retirement in 2006. Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler are solid, yet inconsistent in the setup role, and the bullpen is missing a legitimate left-hander.


3—NEW YORK YANKEES: There’s a new acting owner (Hank Steinbrenner) and a new manager (Joe Girardi) in the Bronx. Yet, it continues to be the same story as it has been the last few seasons.

The Yanks have a great offense, with a former or current All-Star at nearly every position. 3B Alex Rodriguez, the 2007 AL MVP after posting a .314 average with 54 HR’s, 156 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 143 runs scored leads the way. Shortstop and team captain Derek Jeter continues to be one of the best pure hitters in baseball. Catcher Jorge Posada (.338—20—90) shows no signs of slowing down, and neither does RF Bobby Abreu, who still drove in 101 RBI and scored 123 runs despite only hitting 16 HR’s. Johnny Damon appears to be slowing down and will move to left field. But, talented youngsters such as Melky Cabrera and 2B Robinson Cano (.306—19—97) keep the lineup strong. No doubt about it, the “Bronx Bombers” will score plenty of runs.

However, not much was done to address the pitching staff. Chien-Ming Wang (19-7, 3.70) has developed into an ace as his sinker is the best in baseball. Andy Pettite (15-9, 4.05) and Mike Mussina (11-10, 5.15) are on their last legs and their numbers are inflated by winning slugfests. They can no longer be leaned on as heavily as in the past. 21-year-old Phil Hughes showed flashes of brilliance in ’07 and might be the key to the Yankees making the playoffs for the 14th straight season.

The bullpen will also be relied on quite a bit and closer Mariano Rivera began to show signs of age despite saving 30 games and finishing with a 3.15 ERA. Joba Chamberlain (0.38 ERA in 19 games) is phenomenal and will need to shoulder an even bigger workload in 2008. The bullpen lacks depth, as Kyle Farnsworth (4.80) is inconsistent and free agent acquisition LaTroy Hawkins couldn’t handle the pressure of Wrigley Field and surely won’t be able to deal with New York.

For the first time since 1994, the Yankees are sitting at home when the playoffs begin. In part because they aren’t as good as another team in their division and in part because of the quantity of great teams in the American League.


2—TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Offense hasn’t been the problem over the past few seasons north of the border. Pitching and defensive deficiency has kept the Jays from competing in the AL East. But that’s about to change.

Key moves in the offseason improved the defense, while adding character and leadership to a clubhouse lacking in both categories. LF Shannon Stewart, 3B Scott Rolen and SS David Eckstein all bring intangibles that will guide the Blue Jays to a better record. Anything they provide at the plate will be a bonus since the Blue Jays are already strong in that area.

It was clear that CF Vernon Wells (.245—16—80) put too much pressure on himself after signing a massive contract extension before the ’07 season. His numbers should return to near his career averages (.281—28—97). Meanwhile, RF Alex Rios (.297—24—85) has become a terrific young hitter. DH Frank Thomas (.277—26—95) is healthy and continues to hit. While he’s focused on the long ball each of the past two seasons to try reaching 500 for his career, he reunited with former hitting coach Walt Hriniak during the offseason. Hriniak helped Thomas win back-to-back MVP awards with the White Sox in the mid-90’s. Assuming he stays healthy, Thomas could post MVP-caliber numbers in 2008.

Roy Halladay (16-7, 3.71) is a legitimate Cy Young contender every season. A.J. Burnett still has nasty stuff but injuries have prevented him from reaching the 200-inning plateau since signing with Toronto in 2006. Youngsters Shaun Marcum (12-6) and Jesse Litsch got valuable experience last season and should only improve. Jeremy Accardo (30 saves) held down the fort after B.J. Ryan needed Tommy John surgery. Ryan is on the comeback trail, and upon his return will make the bullpen strong.


1—BOSTON RED SOX: The defending World Series champions may be better than last year after an infusion of young talent that provides an outstanding mix of youth and experience.

CF Jacoby Ellsbury showed off his talent and Michael Johnson-esque speed in the playoffs. He could realistically steal 75 bases in ’08. 3B Mike Lowell (.324—21—120) won’t put up the numbers he did last season. But, he won’t have to because LF Manny Ramirez (.296—20—88) will have a much better season with the possibility of a new contract in 2009. With a season under his belt in high-pressure Fenway Park, RF J.D. Drew will also hit better barring injury, of course. DH David Ortiz (.332—35—117) will once again post MVP-caliber numbers, while catcher Jason Varitek and 1B Kevin Youkilis provide consistent bats no matter where they hit in the lineup.

Josh Beckett (20-7, 3.27) always had the talent to win a Cy Young, and as long as he stays healthy there’s no reason to think he won’t post similar numbers. In limited action, Clay Buchholz showed why he could quickly become one of the best young pitchers in the game. With Curt Schilling likely lost for the season, Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12, 4.40) will need to improve, while Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield keep the team in games and let the offense pull it out.

Jonathan Papelbon (37 saves, 1.85 ERA, 84 strikeouts in 58.1 innings) has become one of the best closers in baseball. LHP Hideki Okajiima had a terrific rookie season, but once hitters get past his deceptive motion, his success might be short-lived like many Japanese relievers. Veteran Mike Timlin and young flamethrower Manny Delcarmen help solidify the bullpen ahead of Papelbon.

Until somebody knocks them off their throne, the BoSox are the team to beat out East.