MLB Preseason Predictions: American League East Preview

Carl Crawford                            Adrian Gonzalez

For the next several posts I will be breaking down the MLB, division by division and giving my preseason picks and predictions. After last year's unlikely World Series matchup and some huge offseason signings by the Red Sox and Phillies, the 2011 year has big storylines and should be a competitive year. I will start with the American League East which is, once again, going to be the power division in baseball. The Red Sox upgraded with offseason signings and the Yankees still have one of the meanest lineups in the game. The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles should be interesting to watch for different reasons. The Rays lost a few key players and we will see how they respond while the O's added a slugger in Vladimir Guerrero. Toronto has made a home with being mediocre and we shouldn't expect anything different this year. So, without further ado, let's get into these predictions and breakdowns.

1. Boston Red Sox
After an injury plagued 2010 the Red Sox are looking to get back on track and back in the postseason. The usual core is back of Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia but two offseason free agent signings have made the BoSox lineup even scarier. Carl Crawford, from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres both signed for big bucks and Boston should score runs in bunches. The pitching rotation is strong and the Sox added Bobby Jenks to the bullpen. If this year's club stays healthy they should be playing in the Fall Classic.

2. New York Yankees
As always, the Bronx Bombers are going to drive in runs with Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera in the middle of the lineup but what could set the Yankees back is their pitching. They failed to sign Cliff Lee but C.C. Sabathia is a clear-cut ace and we know what to expect from him. Phil Hughes was excellent last year and should pitch like that again but A.J. Burnett, the Yanks other huge free agent signing a few years back, had a rocky 2010 and needs to bounce back. Otherwise, New York could be in trouble. The American League is loaded this year and it won't be a cakewalk to the playoffs like it normally is. It's no secret that Derek Jeter's career is coming to a close in the next few years and it would be nice to see him get another ring, however, the Yanks will need the bottom of their rotation to step up.

3. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays lost Carlos Pena and Matt Garza to the Cubs but rookie pitcher, Jeremy Hellickson, is a player to watch. He dominated in little action last year and is expected to be in the rotation from Day 1 in '11. Carl Crawford also left but two former Red Sox, Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, have joined the Rays in hopes to keep them in the playoff hunt. Both are up in their years but can still hit the ball. David Price is always a Cy Young candidate and will anchor a rotation that has been strong the last few years.

4. Baltimore Orioles
This is a risk picking the O's anywhere but the basement of the division but they seem to have added enough bats to their lineup. Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero have both been great hitters in their respective careers and the O's hope that they can produce in a lineup of young players. Luke Scott provides pop and Felix Pie and Corey Patterson have shown flashes of brilliance. Pitching is suspect in Baltimore but perhaps they can score enough runs to put fans back in the seats of their beautiful ballpark.

5. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays dwell in mediocrity and this year shouldn't be much different. They have a superb lineup and it will be interesting to see if Jose Bautista's 2010 season was a fluke. Juan Rivera was added for some extra pop along with Adam Lind. Vernon Wells left for the Angels and that hurts. The Blue Jays can never seem to get over the hump and I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

Best Lineup: Boston
Best Pitching Staff: Tampa Bay

Best Player: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
Best Pitcher: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays