2009 American League Preview: East
With the start of Spring Training just days away, Sports Illustrated is here with your Major League Baseball preview! We'll be starting in the American League East, home to the defending AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays.
Baltimore Orioles
2008 Record: 83-79, 4th, AL East
Key Additions: Jose Reyes-SS, Javier Valentin-C, Adam Lind-LF, Ron Belliard-3B
Key Losses: Ehren Wassermann-CL, Tomo Ohka-SP, Fred Lewis-LF, Mike Rabelo-C
Despite finishing over .500 last season, the Orioles still could not break through in the AL East, finishing a disappointing fourth. This season, Baltimore is hoping that their offseason moves will be enough to push them through the three team block of Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto. Overall, their pitching is solid, with 17 game winner Joe Blanton leading the way. Behind him are four solid, if unspectacular, pitchers. Dontrelle Willis is hoping he can regain his form from a few seasons ago, while the bullpen is mostly young, but has a chance to come together as a group an improve on last season. Mariano Rivera regains the closer role he lost last season to Ehren Wassermann, and the Orioles are hoping that he can reach his 500th save early in the season.
The offense is now greatly improved with the addition of Jose Reyes to the top of the lineup. Reyes brings speed unmatched in the majors to Baltimore, as well as solid defense on top of that. The offense also brings back the bats of Joe Mauer (.357, 28-129), Mike Lowell (.296, 27-115) and Luis Gonzalez (.325, 12-102), as well as the addition of Javier Valentin behind the plate. There are few weak spots in the lineup, but the Orioles will need to attempt to patch holes in the outfield if they really want to contend.
Prognosis: Baltimore will once again struggle to get out of the shadow of the top teams in the East. They should be better than last season, but it won't be enough to pass all three teams in front of them.
Prediction: 3rd Place, AL East
Boston Red Sox
2008 Record: 91-71, 2nd, AL East, Lost to Chicago, 3-1, ALDS
Key Additions: Russell Martin-C, Ehren Wassermann-CL
Key Losses: Michael Barrett-C, Keith Foulke-MR, Casey Blake-3B
After making the playoffs in 2008, the Boston Red Sox decided that less was more during the offseason, and surprisingly remained very quiet. However, with the team they have already in place, most fans are arguing that there was very little that actually needed to be done. For instance, the pitching staff is one of the best in the league, even if it is a little old. After coming to Boston in 2002, Pedro Martinez quickly found himself in the role of ace, and he's yet to give it up. A 17 game winner last season, Pedro just signed a three year extension in the offseason that will keep him in Boston until he's 40. Backing him up is a trio of double digit game winners from a year ago. Ian Snell, Kevin Millwood and Mike Mussina make facing the Sox on any day a difficult task. Meanwhile, the Boston bullpen is strong as well. Closer Andrew Brown is looking to improve on his 40 save season from last year, while Wes Littleton leads a strong group of middle relief pitchers.
On the other side of the coin, the Boston offense likes to punish pitchers for poorly thrown balls across the plate. Returning are sluggers Carlos Pena (.283, 41-140), Jack Cust (.250, 35-86) and Curtis Granderson (.274, 22-100). Joining them this season is 26 year old catcher Russell Martin, who was brought over from the White Sox. Martin, who hit .324 with 22 home runs of his own last season, brings an instant improvement behind the plate to the Red Sox, and helps solidify one of the best lineups in baseball. The left side of the Boston infield is a little shaky, but knowing Boston, they'll be able to find what they need.
Prognosis: An already sound playoff team got even better during the winter with the addition of Russell Martin. Will it be enough to catch Tampa? No one is sure now, but not many people are betting against Boston to end the Rays' streak on top of the division.
Prediction: 1st Place, AL East
New York Yankees
2008 Record: 65-97, 5th, AL East
Key Additions: Ben Molina-C, Jose Valverde-MR, J.D. Durbin-SP, Joey Gathright-CF
Key Losses: Emil Brown-LF, Geoff Jenkins-RF, Brady Clark-CF
One thing is certain: the championship glory of the early 2000 New York Yankees is long gone. In its wake is now an old team that appears to still be going nowhere, fast. Their pitching staff is a mess, with potential number one starter Yovani Gallardo coming off a 19 loss season last year. J.D. Durbin, who came over in a trade with Seattle, played well last season, but only started 11 games. Somehow, the Yankees managed to have two 19 game losers last year, with Andy Sonnanstine joining Gallardo with a 12-19 record. The only bright spot is 23 year old Rick VandenHurk, who went 11-10 last season and looks to be a potential number one starter down the road. The bullpen is a mess, with only Heath Bell looking the least bit promising. A trade with Florida brought in Jose Valverde, and the Yankees have to hope he can keep up with his performance from last season.
The offense is more of the same. Ken Griffey, Jr. might be one of the best players, but in his time in New York, he's yet to hit above .285 or drive in 100 runs. Eric Chavez (.264, 36-119) did drive in 100 runs, but he was the only player on the team to do so. There is also a lack of speed on the basepaths, as no one expects players like Nick Johnson or Ruben Gotay to tear up the bases. In fact, their leading base stealer last season swiped only 14 bases, and was caught 10 other times. The addition of Joey Gathright gives the team a little more speed, but there are too many other problems right now to just focus on that.
Prognosis: The Yankees went from a three time defending champion at the start of this decade to one of the worst teams in baseball by the end of it. The fans aren't going to take much more of it, but with the group they're starting this season out with, it looks like it's going to be more of the same, at least for this season, anyway.
Prediction: 5th Place, AL East
Tampa Bay Rays
2008 Record: 100-62, 1st, AL East, Defeated Texas, 3-0, ALDS, Defeated Chicago, 4-3, ALCS, Lost to Los Angeles, 4-3, World Series
Key Additions: Jason Bergmann-SP, Lyle Overbay-1B
Key Losses: Joakim Soria-CL, Josh Johnson-SP, Corey Patterson-CF, Scott Williamson-MR
After finishing one win shy of their second World Series win this decade, the Tampa Bay Rays sat back during the winter and decided that the best way to defend their American League title was to play with what they had. While that strategy has worked before, this year, it might backfire, though it certainly won't be because of the pitching. Francisco Liriano, at just 25 years of age, has already established himself as one of the top pitchers in baseball. His 16-5 record last year paced the Rays, and he's ready to do more of the same this season. Behind him, Jason Bergmann, Doug Davis, Buddy Carlyle and Brian Bannister make up a solid group of pitchers. The loss of Joakim Soria to Philadelphia hurts Tampa's bullpen, and Peter Moylan is being asked to fill Soria's shoes. Moylan has never closed before, but the Rays are hoping that he can do as well as Soria did last season. The rest of the bullpen is strong, with only C.J. Wilson and Boof Bonser being question marks.
The lineup contains several big bats that are ready to get the Rays back to the World Series. Leading that list is Adrian Gonzalez, who last season hit .367 with 39 home runs and 129 RBI. Backing him up will be Hideki Matsui (.331, 48-141), Ryan Doumit (.306, 28-109) and Ben Francisco (.305, 25-95). The rest of the lineup is also solid, with new addition Lyle Overbay ready to forget his time in Philadelphia and start new in Tampa. Luis Castillo provides speed at the top of the lineup, while Elijah Dukes is growing into a spot in the outfield.
Prognosis: The Rays made a great run last season, but they may have lost too much to go deep into the playoffs again this year. With Boston adding new players, and Joakim Soria and Scott Williamson trading in their uniforms, the Rays might be looking up at a team come October. They still should be competing for a playoff spot late in the season, however.
Prediction: 2nd Place, AL East
Toronto Blue Jays
2008 Record: 86-76, 3rd, AL East
Key Additions: Nick Swisher-CF, Jhonny Peralta-3B, Robinson Cano-2B
Key Losses: Chase Utley-2B, Juan Cruz-SP
"Close, but no cigar." That's what Blue Jay fans are getting tired of hearing about their team in recent seasons. After back to back playoff trips, everything seemed to be in place last season for a deep run, but Toronto was unable to take advantage, finishing a disappointing third. This year, the Blue Jays are recharged and ready to go, but the question is whether or not they can get past the two teams that finished ahead of them last year. Pitching-wise, Toronto can hang with almost any team in the league. Fausto Carmona and Cole Hamels provide an excellent 1-2 punch, while the ageless Curt Schilling provides a veteran voice deep in the rotation. The main question for Toronto is their bullpen, which struggled at key times last season. If Edgar Gonzalez, Scott Olsen and Dan Wheeler can put 2008 behind them, they should have good seasons in 2009.
While the Jays did lose Chase Utley this offseason, it doesn't appear as if they'll miss him that much at the plate. Newcomer Robinson Cano was signed to replace Utley, and his .314 average, along with 15 home runs and 62 RBI should make fans forget about Chase much quicker than originally expected. Other new additions Johnny Peralta and Nick Swisher put solid players at shortstop and center field, while remaining players from last year include Mark Teixeria (.324, 39 HR, 131 RBI), Justin Morneau (.316, 42-147) and Josh Willingham (.262, 26-121). Even Mike Napoli and Wilso Betemit are solid players, giving Toronto a great all around lineup.
Prognosis: It wouldn't surprise anyone if the Blue Jays managed to get into the playoffs this season, but with the questions they have in the bullpen, it's going to be difficult. With the offense they have, however, Carmona and Hamels each have a chance to win 20 games, and if both do that, it's going to be tough not to have the Blue Jays back in the postseason again. Either way, they should battle well into the final weeks of the season with Boston and Tampa Bay for a playoff spot.
Prediction: 3rd Place, AL East