Starting Rotation Update: American League East

The American League East lost one major pitcher this offseason (Roy Halladay), but also gained two pretty good pitchers in John Lackey and Javier Vazquez. While the offenses in this division get most of the headlines, the pitching staffs are no slouches.

Here are the updated starting rotations for each American League East team.

New York Yankees

1. CC Sabathia, LHP

2. A.J. Burnett, RHP

3. Andy Pettitte, LHP

4. Javier Vazquez, RHP

5. Phil Hughes, RHP

Quick Take

The Yankees’ starting rotation got better in the offseason with the addition of Vazquez. He becomes a pretty impressive fourth starter. Phil Hughes won the No. 5 starter spot last week, so Joba Chamberlain moves to the bullpen.

Boston Red Sox

1. Josh Beckett, RHP

2. Jon Lester, LHP

3. John Lackey, RHP

4. Clay Buchholz, RHP

5. Tim Wakefield, RHP

Quick Take

Beckett might be the No. 1 starter, but this staff is really led by Lester. He will be a leading candidate for the Cy Young award in 2010. Lackey gives this staff incredible depth. With Daisuke Matsuzaka hurting, Wakefield moves into the starting rotation.

Tampa Bay Rays

1. James Shields, RHP

2. Matt Garza, RHP

3. Jeff Niemann, RHP

4. David Price, LHP

5. Wade Davis, RHP

Quick Take

This rotation won’t miss the highly overrated Scott Kazmir in 2010. Garza has really turned the corner and has developed into a very solid No. 2 pitcher. Starting rotation will only go as far as Price and Davis take them.

Baltimore Orioles

1. Kevin Millwood, RHP

2. Jeremy Guthrie, RHP

3. Brad Bergesen, RHP

4. Brian Matusz, LHP

5. David Hernandez, RHP

Quick Take

The Orioles acquired Millwood to mentor this young staff and to eat up innings. Matusz is a top prospect, who will have to earn his stripes pitching in the very tough AL East. The Orioles need Guthrie to really step up in 2010.

Toronto Blue Jays

1. Shaun Marcum, RHP

2. Ricky Romero, LHP

3. Marc Rzepczynski, LHP

4. Brandon Morrow, RHP

5. Brett Cecil, LHP

Quick Take 

Any time a staff loses a pitcher of Halladay’s caliber, they are going to experience a major drop off. It looks like Morrow is going to start in Toronto, so perhaps he can realize his potential. Romero (and I think he is good) becomes the Blue Jays’ No. 1 starter by default.

So that’s it for the AL East. Tomorrow, I will take a look at the American League Central, home of the reigning AL Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg