Nelson Cruz is 34 – and has a long history of injuries – and now of PED use. In the last 5 years, he has only played over 128 games for the season once. Now he was on pace to top that in 2013 – before his PED suspension from the Biogenesis Scandal. I thoroughly believe he should just be a permanent DH. He will likely be used in that role with the O’s. With a full season of AB, this slugger should probably hit between .260 – .270, with 25 – 30 HRs and range from 80 – 90 RBI. To sign this guy to a 1 Year Deal – worth $8 MIL, when he was already given the Qualifying Offer by Texas is a fantastic acquisition for the Orioles. It also comes in the same week they picked up Ubaldo Jimenez and Korean chucker Suk-Min Yoon. Baltimore just entered back into the Division race!
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Dan Duquette has announced his presence with authority this week.
From Suk-min Yoon (3 YRs/$5.6 MIL), Ubaldo Jimenez (4 YRs/$48 MIL), to then flat out rob Nelson Cruz for a 1 YR/$8 MIL deal, the GM has served notice that the franchise is here to compete.
Frankly, this was a long time coming. The team has now thrust its name into the conversation with the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees.
On the clock is the Toronto Blue Jays!!
The Blue Jays won back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993, however once the Yankees jumped their payroll massively, and Boston soon followed, the team has mired in a 20 year playoff drought. Only in the last year has the franchise spent over $100 MIL on Team Payroll. with a 2014 budget forecast for $125 MIL, this franchise can not see a massive dip in the Canadian Dollar either as they pay the players in US Currency. Unfortunately their plan to compete last campaign fell of its mark – when injuries plagued the team, and their Veterans played to a lackluster caliber. This club still has a chance for the 2014 season, when the Yankees reset their spending. Toronto and Kansas City are the only 2 teams in the MLB not to qualify for the playoffs since 1994. They must react to the Orioles, Yanks making great moves this offseason, and Boston and Tampa making the playoffs in 2013.
Canada’s only franchise has had a paltry winter, but the club did dole out several $ via trades to compete in 2013. It is possible they are capped financially.
Where the pitching staff might be troublesome, the Jays can pulverize you on the offense when clicking.
Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion should both crush 30+ HRs and drive in 100 RBI this year.
Jose Reyes can still be a top leadoff man in the game – and Colby Rasmus has quietly foraged a nice little home in Toronto, by clubbing 20 HRs/20 SB campaigns.
Adam Lind had a comeback year in 2013, and if Brett Lawrie can mature, these guys may put a world of hurt on opponents this year.
Toronto also has a strong Bullpen, and many Starting Pitchers who can lug innings. They must stay away from the injury bug.
Having praised them enough, they would now be ranked 5th in this Division in my view. They still have a chance to push for another Starter like Ervin Santana, but the days are growing slim to Opening Day.
The Yankees spent over $500 MIL on Free Agents this winter (including their own guys), and should have a little help from Michael Pineda possibly being healthy.
The majority of the Red Sox pitching unit is in their 30′s. Felix Doubront and often injured Clay Buchholz are the only Starters south of 30. Koji Uehara is 39, and tops the list of the relief core, all pretty much of 30. The offense is also aging with David Ortiz at 38 – and newly signed A.J Pierzynski at 37, joining Victorino, Gomes and David Ross already as guys over the 30 year old mark.
Are they the division favorites?
Don’t quite think so, but they have watched Boston lose several players from their World Series Title winning club leave the fold, while plugging in their unproven youngsters, and adding 37 year old A.J. Pierzynski.
When it boils down to it, the Yankees will throw down an exorbitant amount of dough throughout this campaign in mid-season trades, like they did in 2013. I am not sure the Red Sox would be willing to do that themselves.
The Pinstripers, and their injury taxi – squad of 2013, cost them $50 MIL last year from the start of the season till the end. I am calling them to do the same in Derek Jeter‘s last campaign.
Speaking of Boston. I think it has been shown tough to repeat. They lost Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Dempster and Andrew Bailey from last years team.
They have young guys who could fill the bill, but they saw 2013 grant them every break.
I am not saying they wont be right up there. Heck, the top 4 teams in this AL East could be separated all by just one win each, and all be over 85 victories.
Boston should have the best start by anyone in this Division, I say about the ALL – Star Break, Tampa and New York will be trailing.
I think the Rays and Yankees pass the “Beantowners” in the 2nd half.
Tampa because anymore reinforcements from the Minors will be up for good, and the Bronx Bombers will have traded for a ton of guys with heavy salaries for the rest of the year, on expiring contracts.
The Rays have one of the 2 best Starting Pitcher staffs in the American league, and have averaged over 90 wins for the last 6 years. Bringing back Price, and having Myers and Archer for a full year should make the team even better in 2013. Keep in mind they have also added Heath Bell and Grant Balfour to anchor the Bullpen, an obvious upgrade over the inconsistent Fernando Rodney.
The Rays keeping David Price over the winter is great for the short term. This keeps their dream alive for a World Series team.
1 – 4 they can compete with any team in the American League, including even Detroit. Wil Myers for a full year will help the fold, and a lot of their guys may internally improve.
Solid veterans in Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist and David DeJesus will put up their usual numbers. The X – Factor to this Florida club might be Desmond Jennings.
Joe Maddon is also a phenomenal bench boss. He always finds a way to win 90 games, having done it 5 out of the last 6 years.
The Pitching they possess will bode well for them in the AL East matchups.
Baltimore has a vaunted lineup that could go 1.Manny Machado, 2. Nick Markakis, 3. Chris Davis, 4. Adam Jones, 5. Nelson Cruz, 6. Matt Wieters, 7. J.J. Hardy as their top 7 batters. Not too shabby.
Do they have enough ace like pitchers yet? Maybe not…but they just have to be average with those guys turning loose on the diamond.
If the O’s don’t make the playoffs, they are going to make life miserable for the rest of their competition.
I am still going to place the rankings in the AL East like this right now. 1. TB 2. NYY 3. BOS 4. BAL and 5. TOR.
I honestly believe the winner of this dogfight might carry out just 86 – 88 wins. All teams might range from 80 – 88 victories, and be within just a few games of one another.
This Division screams for the MLB to have less Divisional Games. As currently situated, these guys will play each other 76 games.
The strength of schedule versus each club will be ridiculous. Just look at what Detroit will be feasting on this year. 76 games vs KC (albeit they are good), CLE, MIN and CWS.
These 5 teams will carry out the best record of any division in the MLB for another season.
Last year, TB, BOS, NYY and the Baltimore Orioles all had 85 wins or more, and the Jays pulled up the rear with 74.
The Division Record was 433 – 37 (.535), and held the best mark in baseball.
The American League East may be a beast, but it is could also see only the division winner make the postseason, as other weaker division feast on the inferior talent.
The Yankees have only missed the playoffs twice in Derek Jeter’s Career (2008), they have made the Post Season in all other 17 seasons, including 10 ALCS Appearances, 7 World Series Appearances and 5 World Series. Derek Jeter is the ALL – Time leader in hits for the Post Season, with 200 in 650 AB (.308). But the aging superstar is entering into his last year. If the Yankees are anywhere near contention near the Trade Deadline, they will blow out the payroll again this year, just like in 2013, adding $50 MIL in salaries via trades through the campaign.
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A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article. Hunter is a Baseball Writer for MLB reports.
Hunter grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and played baseball with Sheldon Bream (Sid Bream‘s son) at Liberty University in the NCAA.
His favorite player is Brian Wilson (how could you guess?), and he hates when people can’t think outside the box!
His favorite expression – is ‘ this At Bat is about ten seconds away from a Toe – Tag!
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