Tampa Bay Rays

2008 Record: 97-65 1^st in AL East

2009 Projection: 98-65 (tie breaker) 1^st in AL East

Key Additions:

            - OF Pat Burrell

            - OF Matt Joyce

            - OF Gabe Kapler

            - 3B Morgan Ensberg

            - RP Joe Nelson

Key Departures:

            - SP Edwin Jackson

            - RP Matt Joyce

            - OF Cliff Floyd

            - UT Eric Hinske

            - OF Rocco Baldelli

Key Rookie(s):

            - P David Price

Projected Rotation:

1)    LHP Scott Kazmir

2)    RHP James Shields

3)    RHP Matt Garza

4)    RHP Andy Sonnanstine

5)    LHP David Price

Who and What to Watch For:

            - Evan Longoria: After making the World Series as a rookie, all eyes were on Evan

Longoria. Expect scouts to be wise to Longoria’s tendencies, and his ability to adjust.

- David Price: Price is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Expect Price to win the job

for 5^th man in the rotation and how the youngster fares against an offensively heavy AL

East.

- John Jaso- Jaso is currently working to make the team as a backup catcher. Why is he

on my radar? Baseball America has him listed as the Rays prospect with the most plate

discipline and he’s been really good in the minors thus far. He has the ability to play

outfield and first base if asked to do so.

When the Yankees began their buyout of big name free agents, everyone was quick to proclaim the Yankees as the frontrunner in the American League East. People quickly forgot about the Rays, who got to the World Series by building their team internally. Expect the Ray’s rotation to come up big this year with Shields stealing the limelight. The questions lie in the Ray’s bullpen, where I do not have much confidence. While they put up extraordinary numbers, if the Rays are looking for October once again, they need some upgrades.

New York Yankees

2008 Record: 87-73, 3^rd place in AL East

2009 Projection: 97-66 (tie breaker) AL Wild Card

Key Additions:

            - SP CC Sabathia

            - SP AJ Burnett

            - 1B Mark Teixeira

            - OF Nick Swisher

Key Departures:

            - SP Mike Mussina

            - SP Jeff Marquez

            - SP Carl Pavano

            - SP Darrell Rasner

            - IF Wilson Betemit

            - 1B Jason Giambi

            - OF Bobby Abreu

            - C Ivan Rodriguez

Key Rookie(s):

            - P Andrew Brackman

            - CF Brett Gardner

Projected Rotation:

1)    LHP CC Sabathia

2)    RHP AJ Burnett

3)    RHP Chien-Ming Wang

4)    LHP Andy Pettitte

5)    RHP Joba Chamberlain

Who and What to Watch For:

- Yankees Bullpen: Mariano is not getting any younger. The bullpen is not as solid the Yankees would like. Look for names like Edwar Ramirez and Dan Giese to be called on as anchors for middle relief.

- Ian Kennedy: Ian will fight this spring to prove that he is worthy of that 5^th pitcher in the rotation.

I feel like the Yankees and Rays will fight back and forth all year in one of the most heated division battle in years. They have an amazing starting 5, but like I said, their bullpen lacks. As for the Boston/New York rivalry, it will still be there. But, do not expect Boston to play a third wheel in this division battle.

Boston Red Sox

2008 Record: 95-67, 2^nd place in AL East, AL WC

2009 Projection: 91-71, 3^rd place in AL East

Key Additions:

            - SP John Smoltz

            - SP Brad Penny

            - SP Junichi Tazawa

            - RP Takashi Saito

            - RP Wes Littleton

            - RP Ramon Ramirez

            - OF Rocco Baldelli

            - OF Brad Wilkerson

Key Departures:

            - SP Curt Schilling

            - RP Mike Timlin

            - OF Coco Crisp

            - IF Alex Cora

            - SP Bartolo Colon

            - RP David Aardsma

            - 1B Sean Casey

Key Rookies:

            - RP Junichi Tazawa

Projected Rotation:

1)    RHP Josh Beckett

2)    LHP Jon Lester

3)    RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

4)    RHP Brad Penny

5)    RHP Tim Wakefield

Who and What to Watch For:

- Batters vs. Dice-K: Dice-K’s amount of walks is alarming. But, because he lets up so few hits, they have not affected his ERA. If batters start to figure him out, Boston has to watch out because he has the ability to get lit up.

- Beckett’s recovery: Beckett did not have a usual year last year. Plagued by injuries, his numbers were subpar, Josh Beckett-wise. Look for him to recover this season.

- Jon Lester: Lester finally met his full potential last season. Not only is he an amazing story, but he is establishing himself as one of the best number 2’s in the AL. Watch for his continued success.

While writing this, I began to have second thoughts about the record and finish I gave the Red Sox. Analysts everywhere are taking the Red Sox to win the division with 96+ wins mostly because they refuse to believe that the Rays are capable of repeating what they did; And, they do not want to be “that guy” that picks the Yankees. Everyone keeps arguing that because Manny is gone, there will not be anymore clubhouse problems. Well, I agree. The Red Sox will not have any more clubhouse problems, but they also will not have Manny’s numbers. Sure, Jason Bay is a great player, and did well for the Sox during the second half of last season when needed. But, let us see how the Red Sox fare during an entire season without Manny. Not only will Manny’s numbers not be present, but it will affect the way David Ortiz and other hitters in the lineup are pitched to. Not only this, but the Red Sox do not exactly have a cake walk pitching-wise in the AL East. They now have to face CC Sabathia more often which won’t be fun. Expect their pitching to stand up this season the way it should, but their offense will lack.

Toronto Blue Jays

2008 Record: 86-76, 4^th Place in AL East

2009 Projection: 78-84, 4^th Place in AL East

Key Additions:

            - C Michael Barrett

            - SP Matt Clement

            - SP Mike Maroth

            - 1B Kevin Millar

            - SP Ken Takahashi

Key Departures:

            - SP AJ Burnett

            - OF Kevin Mench

            - OF Brad Wilkerson

            - C Greg Zaun

Key Rookies:

            - SP Brad Mills

            -  OF Travis Snider

Projected Rotation:

1)    RHP Roy Halladay

2)    RHP Jesse Litch

3)    LHP David Purcey

4)    RHP Casey Janssen

5)    LHP Ken Takahashi

Who and What to Watch For:

            - Dustin McGowan: Dustin will be out for a few months, but look for him to come back

and help the seriously slacking pitching rotation.

Every year analysts try to pick the Blue Jays, hoping one day that they will pull a Tampa Bay and come out of nowhere. This year is not that year. A quick look at their pitching rotation reveals a lot. Roy Halladay has the ability to be a Cy Young winner this year, but it drops off quite a bit after that. The good news is that the bullpen is still intact, after posting the best ERA last season.

Baltimore Orioles

2008 Record: 68-93

2009 Projection: 70-92, Last Place in AL East

Key Additions:

            - UT Ryan Freel

            - SP Mark Hendrickson

            - SP Rich Hill

            - SP Koji Uehara

            - SS Cesar Izturis

            - OF Felix Pie

            - 1B Ty Wigginton

            - C Greg Zaun

Key Departures:

            - C Ramon Hernandez

            - SP Daniel Cabrera

            - SP Garret Olsen

            - OF Jay Payton

Key Rookies:

            - C Matt Wieters

            - RF Nolan Reimfold

            - P Kam Mickolio

            - P Jim Miller

Projected Rotation:

1)    RHP Jeremy Guthrie

2)    RHP Koji Uehara

3)    LHP Rich Hill

4)    LHP Mark Hendrickson

5)    RHP Radhames Liz

Who and What to Watch For:

- Minor League System: The Orioles are in a rebuilding stage and everyone knows it. Look for the O’s to bring up their young players and watch what they can do! The O’s may not be anywhere near contention this year, but their youngsters and future MLB stars are sure to put on a show.

Like I said, the Orioles won’t do much damage this year in the AL East. However, the youngsters are sure to fill up seats in Oriole Park, even when the Yankees and Red Sox aren’t in town. This is a team that shows a lot of promise. Rich Hill has a lot of upside if he can find his stuff, and the departure of Ramon Hernandez opens up a spot for Greg Zaun who will prosper. Expect O’s to play spoiler to some playoff worthy teams.