Finally, it’s time for the last division preview, and it’s ESPNs favorite division, the AL East. The Red Sox and Yankees are playing tonight! Can you hardly believe it?! I haven’t heard a whole lot about Alex Rodriguez this year. Do the Red Sox have any new key players?
New York Yankees: Having the highest payroll in baseball has to pay off eventually, right? I think this year may be it. In addition to having a team in which everyone can hit 30 homeruns, they now have a quicker guy in Bobby Abreu at the top of the order, and paired with Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter, the yanks have a well rounded batting order. Their rotation is still suspect, but with Andy Pettite and possibly Roger Clemens should solidify that. Adn in july, the Yankees certainly have the werewithal to add a needed pitcher.
Boston Red Sox: The Sox patched up their rotation with some guy named Matsuzaka and their bullpen is no longer a concern with Jonathan Papelbon in the closers role, but they have an intimidatingly bad lineup outside of Manny ramirez and David Ortiz. They added mercurial J.D. Drew to play right, next to mercurial Coco Crisp and Wily Mo Pena. I honestly dont know who they plan to play in the middle infield this year. Kevin Youkilis isn’t working out quite how they expected a couple of years ago. Additionally, a team that had J.C. Romero in the bullpen has never been to the World Series.
Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays seem like they are one clubhouse catastrophe away from a last place finish, and for whatever reason, this squad always seems to be on pins and needles. They added a nice veteran presence in Frank Thomas, and they have a solid pitching roatation, maybe even the best in the division. They really don’t have the offensive fire power to overcome the top two teams in the league, and could use a big time corner outfielder or 1b.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: The Rays have a telented young lineup, with stars like Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli being joined by Akinori Iwamura. If they can add a couple of pitchers to join Scott Kazmir, they could be competetive soon. For now, though, they should be happy to not be in last.
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles are really bad. The Nationals don’t have exclusive rights on the “suck” in the Beltway area. Their lineup is mediocre and completely noncohesive. They have a pitching staff that doesn’t stay healthy or within the strikezone. It’s going to be a long year in Baltimore.
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