The East is going to be a very interesting division this year. The Red Sox have retooled. The Yankees are the Yankees. The Orioles, quietly, got a lot better. The Rays shifted. It should be very interesting watching these teams have to play each other and then play teams outside of the division.
Boston Red Sox:
From the start of the winter, the Red Sox gave their fans multiple reasons to be excited about this upcoming season. Specifically, they completely restocked their lineup. By adding in Gonzalez and Crawford, they reshape what was already a dangerous lineup into one that is startling. Crawford already knows the pitchers in the division and Gonzalez finally gets the big market stage he needs to become a household name. With their pitching and hitting, they will make a very strong push this season.
New York Yankees:
The Yankees didn't improve too much this season, but they kept their important players from last year, and at the end of the day, they are the Yankees. Their rotation may not have Lee, but it is still dangerous. Their lineup may not have Crawford, but it is still scary. They have all the pieces to make a run in the division this year.
Tampa Bay Rays:
The Rays lost a ton of players this off-seaosn, except not all hope is lost. The rotation is not as crafty as it was last year, but Damon and Manny are interesting additions to the team. Specifically, multiple sources keep saying that Manny is on a mission this year. If those two players somehow make up for a Crawford type player, and the parts of the team that are still around play well, then they have a shot, a really outside shot, but they still have a shot.
Baltimore Orioles:
The Orioles will once again be held back by their pitching again this year. Unless their rotation steps up and surprises people, they will not be in contention, which is a shame because the offense is dangerous. If they stay healthy, which is already a concern during Spring, the infield will have Lee, Roberts, Hardy and Reynolds. They also have Vlad, Markakis and Jones (maybe the best offensive outfield in the majors). If this squad can click on all cylinders, it will be exciting, but that rotation will keep this team down.
Toronto Blue Jays:
It sucks to be the Blue Jays. Between the Yankees and Red Sox, and then the Rays and Orioles, there is just no room in this division for everyone to be on the up.
