1. Tampa Bay Rays (97-65, Lost to Phillies in World Series)
Yes. The Rays have all the pieces together to build a team that can sustain success for many years to come. The young talent that the Rays have is insanely good and they all have room for improvement. 3B Evan Longoria is a MVP candidate. CF B.J. Upton will be healthier than he was last year. Remember, in 2007 B.J. Upton hit 31 home runs. Their pitching is also very good. P Scott Kazmir is a solid lefty. P Scott Shields has struggled in spring training but I think that he'll get things worked out. P Matt Garza had a coming out party in the ALCS last season. Oh and by the way, they have P David Price, the number one pick in the 2007 draft. Price will start the season in Durham, but he should be in the majors by the end of April. The Rays are here to stay my friend. If their weak bullpen doesn't implode, they win the division.
2. Boston Red Sox (95-67, Lost to Rays in ALCS)
The Red Sox are the Red Sox and they have a lot of things to offer, but their strength may be the pitching. The rotation for the Sox looks like this: Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Smoltz, John Lester, Josh Beckett, and Justin Masterson. Um, wow. The Red Sox also have one of the best closers in the game. Even though Jonathan Papelbon is a psycho, he gets the job done and has the true mindset of a closer. The Sox offensive prowess may be down with the loss of Manny Ramierez. The Sox did get a solid player back in Jason Bay, but he may be trade bait in the middle of the season. The Sox are currently stalled in contract negotiations with Bay and that may distract Bay this year unless something gets done. However, the Sox still have MVP 2B Dustin Pedroia and 1B Kevin Youkilis so 2nd place isn't a reach.
3. New York Yankees (89-73, 3rd AL East)
The Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996 last season. So what did the Yankees do to solve their problems? They threw money around like Pac Man Jones at a strip club. The Yankees added P CC Sabbathia, P AJ Burnett, and 1B Mark Texiera. Of those three, Texiera has the biggest impact. Although the Yankees had problems with their pitching last year, having a solid first baseman should do wonders offensively and defensively. Texiera is one of the best 1B in the league and he should be a catalyst for the Yankee offense. The Yankees also have depth in their rotation for the first time in a long time. Outside of their rotation (Sabbathia, Chien Ming-Wang, Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Joba Chamberlain) the Yankees also have flamethrowers Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes at Colombus. If the Yankees have injuries, they'll be able to withstand it.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (86-76, 4th AL East)
If a team has 86 wins, they usually are considered a success. Unless you're in the AL East then you finish fourth. The Jays have plenty of talent but they play in an insanely difficult division. The Jays have the ability to break through, but they just can't get past the three great teams in front of them. OF Alex Rios and P Roy Halladay are both impact players, and the Jays could get a third great player in DH Travis Snider very soon. Snider is listed in the top 100 prospects. The Jays pitching staff is really good, but can they beat the three teams ahead of them consistantly? That will be the key to the Jays success.
5. Baltimore Orioles (68-93, 5th in AL East)
The Orioles are very similar to their beltway counterpart, the Washington Nationals. The Orioles have no true superstar or impact players...yet. Opposed to the Nationals, the Orioles have added a couple important pieces. The Orioles traded for OF Felix Pie and P Rich Hill who might benefit from a change of scenery. The Orioles also have OF Adam Jones and OF Nick Markakis. All three outfielders have a chance to be very good as does their best prospect C Matt Wieters. Wieters is being compared to Joe Mauer and some scouts say that Wieters has the power to be a great offensive catcher. Alas, 2009 will not be the O's year.
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