* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

After a historic season from AL MVP Aaron Judge, he now wears the title of ‘captain’ and a massive extension to boot for a franchise that desperately wants another World Series title.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

The lineup got even better with the addition of Daulton Varsho, but there are still some serious question marks with their pitching depth.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

They are looked at as the little brother of this division, but they are almost always in contention and that will be the case again this year.

4. Baltimore Orioles

Being that ownership seems to still penny pinch with the best of them, this current group of ‘homegrown’ talent is coming together nicely and could push for a Wild Card spot down the stretch.

5. Boston Red Sox

It was an offseason of puzzling decisions, but extending Rafael Devers was the right move. Now what to make of them going forward in a stacked AL East?

Player to Watch: OF Aaron Judge – New York Yankees

Best Acquisition: P Carlos Rodon – New York Yankees

New Kid on the Block: P Grayson Rodriguez – Baltimore Orioles

Continue reading →

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Toronto Blue Jays

Their rotation is better and their lineup is deeper than it was last season. Their window to win is now.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

They made minor tweaks throughout the roster, but the core remains to contend in a tough division.

3. New York Yankees

The biggest splash they made was getting Josh Donaldson, but that might not be enough to make a long postseason push.

4. Boston Red Sox

There are too many questions in the rotation, but they will score lots of runs and stay competitive.

5. Baltimore Orioles

It’s going to be another rough year, but the prospect pool will be arriving this year.

Player to Watch: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays

Best Acquisition: P Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

What becomes of the rotation going towards October will determine if they are World Series contenders.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Their offseason moves suggest they are ready and willing to do what it takes to keep them atop the American League for many years to come.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

They are primed for having some bumps in the road this season, but don’t count out their pitching depth keeping them in contention.

4. Boston Red Sox

The penny pinching will continue this year with their ace Chris Sale still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

5. Baltimore Orioles

Get ready for the youth movement to arrive as Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman make their debuts.

Player to Watch: P Tyler Glasnow – Tampa Bay Rays

Best Acquisition: OF George Springer – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: P Luis Patino – Tampa Bay Rays Continue reading →

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

A stacked lineup with a legitimate ace in Gerrit Cole and a deep bullpen has them atop the contender list in the American League.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

Their pitching depth is almost unmatched in baseball. They’ll need to score plenty of runs though in a stacked league.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

The youth movement could surprise a lot of folks in a 60-game sprint to the finish.

4. Boston Red Sox

Fortunately for them they have the Baltimore Orioles to keep them out of the cellar this year.

5. Baltimore Orioles

A 60-game season could work to their advantage, but that won’t make them contenders with more playoff spots available.

Player to Watch: SS Gleyber Torres – New York Yankees

Best Acquisition: P Gerrit Cole – New York Yankees

New Kids on the Block: Toronto Trio; SS Bo Bichette, 2B Cavan Biggio, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Continue reading →