The American League East in 2008 will again be one of the more competitive divisions in baseball led by the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, who frequently make the postseason.
Boston Red Sox
The defending World Series Champions are my pick to win the division again. A veteran roster led by ace Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka anchor the pitching staff along with closer Jonathan Papelbon. Sluggers Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell should all have 100 RBI seasons.
Jacoby Ellsbury will open the season as the starting centerfielder, giving the Red Sox the option of trading centerfielder Coco Crisp. The only question is if Clay Buchholz can step in for Curt Schilling, who is out for at least half the season with an arm injury. The acquisition of veteran first basemen Sean Casey, pitcher Bartolo Colon and the rise of rookie leftfielder Brandon Moss should improve the team.
New York Yankees
MVP Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees hope to dethrone the Red Sox and win the World Series, although the highest payroll in baseball has been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round since A-Rod joined the team.
Joe Girardi, who replaced Joe Torre, as manager, hopes he can lead this veteran team with great young prospects such as pitcher Phil Hughes back to prominence. The Yankees acquired setup man LaTroy Hawkins to help the bullpen that once again is led by future Hall-of-Fame closer Mariano Rivera.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays made some key offseason moves, acquiring veteran infielders David Eckstein, Scott Rolen and Marco Scutaro. The pitching staff is led by 2003 Cy Young-award-winner Roy Halladay and closer B.J. Ryan is healthy and ready for the season. Centerfielder Vernon Wells and designated hitter Frank Thomas give the Blue Jays a dangerous lineup, especially with Alex Rios at the top of the lineup. If the Blue Jays’ pitching holds up, look for them to compete for a wild-card spot in this very tough division.
Tampa Bay Rays
New name, new uniforms and a few new players may be just enough to get this franchise out of last place in the East. The Rays acquired slugger Cliff Floyd, pitchers Matt Garza and Troy Percival and have a great minor league system headlined by phenom Evan Longoria, who will start the season in Triple-A.
Speed at the top of the lineup led by outfielder Carl Crawford and a big bat in Carlos Pena, Eric Hinske and Jonny Gomes should help, but the Red Sox and Yankees are just too good for this ball club to sniff the playoffs.
Baltimore Orioles
Miguel Tejada is no longer in Baltimore, but young right fielder Nick Markakis is still an Oriole. Markakis is the lone bright spot for a struggling franchise. Star prospect Troy Patton from the Astros in the Tejada trade is out with a torn labrum until 2009.
The Orioles do have veteran players in infielders Kevin Millar, Aubrey Huff and Brian Roberts, who can lead a team that isn’t primed to do much. The losses of Tejada and pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners give the Orioles good young prospects to look forward to for the future. Top centerfielder prospect Adam Jones should surprise some with his ability to hit and run.
