MLB 2006 Preview (AL East)

Pitchers and catchers have reported, and the weather is beginning to get a little warmer. It is almost baseball season, and what I believe is the best season of the year. Hot dogs, beer, and ball games. As Opening Day steadily approaches, it is a good time to see who did what in the off season, and also to examine who the favorites are for the season ahead.


American League
East:
1. New York Yankees: 2005 Record (95-67); AL East Champions; Lost 3 games to 2 in ALDS to Angels.

Key Additions: CF Johnny Damon, RP Kyle Farnsworth, RP Octavio Dotel, RP Mike Myers, RP Ron Villone
Key Losses: RP Tom Gordon, OF Matt Lawton, RP Alan Embree

Analysis: The Yankees battled their way through the 2005 season to another AL East crown, but they fell short of their ultimate goal of winning the World Series. The addition of Johnny Damon gives them the premier lead-off hitter in the game, and also improves their defense where centerfield was a huge weakness. Their bullpen is improved with the additions of Farnsworth, Dotel, and Myers. Farnsworth could take over the set-up role vacated by Tom Gordon if he improves his consistency. Myers is excellent at retiring left handed hitters, and he could be the weapon they need to challenge David Ortiz in late innings. Their starting rotation needs to improve on last season's performance, but they have considerable depth in the rotation which will give them some flexibility. Carl Pavano may start the season on the DL which is bad news for a guy the Yankees need to step up. Randy Johnson says that he is more comfortable this season which the Yankees hope equates to better numbers. The Yankees' offense is one of the best in the game, and if they want their 27th World Series championship, they will need to see better production from their pitching staff. In the end the Yankees are still the team to beat in the East.

2. Boston Red Sox: 2005 Record (95-67); AL Wild Card; lost in ALDS 3-0 to White Sox.

Key Additions: SP Josh Beckett, RP David Riske, RP Julian Tavarez, OF Coco Crisp, IF Mike Lowell, IF Alex Gonzalez, IF JT Snow, IF Mark Loretta.
Key Losses: OF Johnny Damon, IF Edgar Renteria, IF Bill Mueller, IF Kevin Millar.

Analysis: Boston was swept in the first round of the playoffs last year after their 2004 World Series crown. They lost their lead-off hitter and part of their identity when Johnny Damon signed with their archrival Yankees. Crisp will be counted on to replace Damon, but they will struggle to put up the same run production without Damon. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz will still anchor the line-up, but there are new faces almost everywhere else. Their pitching staff will rely heavily on the health of Curt Schilling and the production of Josh Beckett. Beckett has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but he has yet to reach his full potential. Their bullpen is still a question mark, but the addition of Tavarez should help their depth there. Keith Foulke needs to return to his 2004 form, or they could have continued problems with their closer. There are only 10 players remaining from their 2004 World Series team, and it will be interesting to see if this year's team can develop the chemistry needed to challenge the Yankees.

3. Toronto Blue Jays: 2005 Record (80-82); 3rd Place AL East.

Key Additions: SP AJ Burnett, RP BJ Ryan, IF Troy Glaus, IF Lyle Overbay, C Bengie Molina.
Key Losses: IF Orlando Hudson, IF Corey Koskie

Analysis: The Blue Jays made a big splash this off season by acquiring AJ Burnett and BJ Ryan. They may have overpaid for the two, but their hope if for them to help them reach the level of the Yankees and Red Sox. Their offense should be improved with the additions of Glaus and Overbay, and Molina gives them the presence behind the plate that they have not had in recent memory. With Roy Halladay and Burnett as a 1-2 punch, the Jays have a very good rotation that could compete in the East. The key for Toronto will be the health of Halladay and Burnett. If they remain healthy and productive, the Jays will be in the race until October. That being said, I cannot place them ahead of the Yankees or Sox until I see it with my own eyes.

4. Baltimore Orioles: 2005 Record (74-88); 4th Place AL East.

Key Additions: SP Kris Benson, OF Jeff Conine, IF Kevin Millar, OF Corey Patterson.
Key Losses: RP BJ Ryan, RP Steve Kline, OF Eric Byrnes.

Analysis: The Orioles did little in the off-season to elevate their status in the division, but they were able to lure former Braves' pitching coach Leo Mazzone to town. Mazzone has had a great track record in working with pitchers although some have complained that he is too tough on younger arms. This could be his biggest challenge yet then as the Orioles' staff if filled with young arms and new faces. The Orioles hope that Corey Patterson can finally reach his potential as their starting centerfielder, but that is clearly not a sure thing. Jeff Conine is around 500 years old and on his 10th trip back to Baltimore where they hope that he can show flashes of his past ability. All in all the Orioles have no shot at keeping pace with the top three in the East, and it could be another 2-3 years before they can even begin to think about competing.

5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 2005 Record (67-95); 5th Place AL East.

Key Additions: IF Sean Burroughs, RP Dan Miceli.
Key Losses: RP Dannys Baez, RP Joe Borowski, RP Lance Carter.

Analysis: The D-Rays continue to be one of the most embarassing organizations in all of sports. The only reason to watch a Tampa Bay game would be to see a great young player like Carl Crawford. Other than that there is no reason to even discuss this team because they will once again be cellar dwellers.