2012 American League East Breakdown

This offseason had a bit of everything — monster contracts, stars on the move, an incredible new stadium and Scott Boras again winning out in the end. Some teams overpaid, some underachieved, but most will have to wait and see. With Spring Training just underway, the buzz of a new season is growing daily as players, coaches and fans all eagerly await opening day. With this being my first column for the upcoming 2012 season, I thought what better way to start than with a divisional breakdown of the league. I’ll touch on key acquisitions, losses and an “x-factor” for each team in 2012. Starting with one division at a time, we’ll begin with the infamous American League East. (No bias at all).

Until late January, everyone was wondering about the state of the New York Yankees and their relative inactivity during the offseason. GM Brian Cashman followed through answering that speculation resoundingly. With the acquisition of highly touted (and potential future ace) Michael Pineda and the signing of Hiroki Kuroda, any questions regarding the stability of their starting rotation were out the window. This past week, Cashman finalized the trade many Yankee fans have been waiting for by sending A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates for two minor leaguers and (lots of) cash. The Yankees blatant disposal of Burnett also allowed the team to pursue and sign free agent Raul Ibanez. This move will fill the void at DH left by the departure of Jesus Montero (to Seattle). The Yankees are officially locked and loaded for the upcoming season and are the clear favorites to take the East.

Key Additions –> Michael Pineda (SP), Hiroki Kuroda (SP), Raul Ibanez (DH)

Key Losses –> Jesus Montero (C), Bartolo Colon (SP)

2012 “X-Factor” If Michael Pineda can improve on or at least match what he did last season in Seattle; he will be a dangerous addition to the Yankees pitching staff.

The Rays can obviously pitch. They boast arguably the best starting pitching in baseball, with David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and the top pitching prospect in baseball, Matt Moore. They also upgraded on offense, signing Carlos Pena after his one year stint with the Cubs, and traded for Luke Scott. Two things will be key for the Rays this season. One is Desmond Jennings, their young left fielder who will be entering his second season in the majors. After a semi-successful rookie year, the Rays need Jennings to evolve into the speedy leadoff hitter that they sorely lack. The other key is James Shields. After a breakout season where he made the all-star team and finished with career highs in WHIP, wins, strikeouts, and ERA, Shields needs to maintain this pace and not regress. The Rays still have their ever so consistent all-star third baseman, Evan Longoria, to build around on the offensive side of things as well. Led by baseball guru/manager Joe Maddon, Tampa can easily contend this season. I see them finishing second (as a wild card).

Key Additions —> Luke Scott (OF), Carlos Pena (1B), Fernando Rodney (RP)

Key Losses —> Johnny Damon (DH), Casey Kotchman (1B)

2012 “X-Factor” —> Desmond Jennings has the capability to take the Rays offense to a new level this season. If he manages to play up to his ability, he could easily steal 40 bases and score 100 runs for the Rays. That alone would catapult their offesnse and allow them to compete with the likes of New York and Boston.

The majority of offseason action in Bean Town took place in the front office. Theo Epstein darted to Chicago to take on a new challenge and an entirely different kind of monster (the Cubs). Former manager Terry Francona is heading to the broadcast booth, ironically enough, to take the place of the man who succeeds him in Boston, Bobby Valentine. The newly arranged front office addressed the loss of Jonathan Papelbon with a trade that brought closer Andrew Bailey from Oakland. Bailey will soften the blow of what was most likely the team’s biggest loss during the offseason. All in all, I believe Bobby Valentine will have a challenge on his hands trying to smooth out a clubhouse culture that was very much in disarray last season.  I believe a third place finish is on the horizon for the Sox.

Key Additions –> Andrew Bailey (RP), Mark Melancon (RP), Cody Ross (OF)

Key Losses –> Jonathan Papelbon (RP), J.D. Drew (OF), Tim Wakefield (SP)

2012 “X-Factor” –> Carl Crawford has all eyes set on him after bombing in his initial season with the Sox. After signing a monster ($142 mil.) deal last season, he has no choice but to redeem himself and get back to the All-Star form Boston thought they were paying for.

The Jays are a strange team for me; they’re almost caught in limbo in this division. For the past few years, they haven’t been good enough to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees, but weren’t bad enough to get high draft picks and stockpile young prospects. Jose Bautista, by far the league’s best home run hitter, is great, and I really believe that Ricky Romero will progress into a superstar pitcher this year. The Blue Jays are also counting on the development of their top prospect third baseman, Brett Lawrie. But after that, they’re average at best. They could probably contend in the AL Central, but in this heavyweight division, Toronto is completely overmatched. The Jays have the potential to finish third in the East, but will more than likely end up fourth.

Key Additions –> Sergio Santos (RP), Francisco Cordero (RP)

Key Losses —> Jon Rauch (RP), Frank Francisco (RP)

2012 “X-Factor” —> With quite the buzz built up around him, Brett Lawrie is expected to produce this season. The up and coming third baseman has the capability to put up five-category numbers. Another big bat to support Jose Bautista in the middle of the Blue Jay lineup could only help their overall cause.

Last but not least, comes the Baltimore Orioles. They’re not winning, and they know it. They traded their best starting pitcher, the mediocre Jeremy Guthrie, to the Rockies this offseason. That leaves an already abysmal pitching staff even worse. The offense isn’t great, either. Mark Reynolds is a solid power hitter, Nick Markakis has some upside, and Adam Jones is electric. But as of now, they are perennial bottom dwellers in the East. This is the best division in the American League, if not all of baseball, and it’ll be a battle of heavyweights all the way to the end.

Key Additions —> Wei-Yin Chen (SP), Matt Lindstrom (RP)

Key Losses —> Jeremy Guthrie (SP), Vladimir Guerrero (DH), Luke Scott (OF)

2012 “X-Factor” —> Adam Jones set career-highs in 2011 by hitting 25 homers, 83 RBI and 12 stolen bases. The all-star center fielder was named the club’s most valuable player in 2011 and is considered a key cornerstone in Baltimore. For the team to even remotely compete, they need Jones to improve even more.