American League East: Key Players for Each Team

It’s now time to dive into the American League and look at the key player for each team in the Junior Circuit. I will start in the East and go from there.

Here is the key player for each American League East team.

New York Yankees – Javier Vazquez

I was torn between Vazquez or Curtis Granderson on this one. But I figured even if Granderson can’t replace Johnny Damon, the Yankees’ offense is so good that they could mask anything Granderson doesn’t do.

If Vazquez pitches this year for the Yankees like he did last year for the Atlanta Braves, the Yankees will have a dominant pitching staff to go along with their dominant offense. If he pitches like he did in the second half of his first stint with the Yankees, New York will have another question mark in their rotation.

Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz

These are no longer the “Make the opposing pitching tap-out by the fourth inning” Red Sox. The Red Sox are now built on pitching and defense and will perhaps field their weakest offensive lineup since 2001.

We all know Ortiz is on his last legs. But Boston needs at least a repeat of the second half of 2009 from Ortiz (.866 OPS) to make their lineup longer and somewhat dangerous.

If Ortiz produces like his first half (.733 OPS) of 2009 for the entire season, the Red Sox will struggle to score runs in 2010.

Tampa Bay Rays – Pat Burrell

The Rays gave Burrell a two-year, $16 million contract before the 2009 season to be a right-handed power hitter in the middle of the lineup. Well, that really didn’t happen.

Burrell hit a career-low .221 and smacked a career-low 14 home runs. If the Rays want to surpass the Yankees and Red Sox, Burrell needs to have a bounce-back year and be a force in the middle of the Rays’ lineup.

Baltimore Orioles – Brian Matusz

My pick for the AL Rookie of the Year is also the key for the Orioles in 2010. The Orioles are in rebuilding mode, and if they are going to complete the turnaround, it will be because of players like Matusz.

Matusz’s development is essential for the Orioles. He has the stuff to be a future No. 1 starter. This season will be a big step in Matusz’s future development.

Toronto Blue Jays – Travis Snider

Like the Orioles, the Blue Jays are in rebuilding mode. Similarly, the Blue Jays will only go as far as their young talent will take them.

Snider is one of those young talents that the Blue Jays need to build around. Snider was a bit of a disappointment last year, hitting only .241 with a .733 OPS in 77 games.

Remember, Snider is still only 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to develop. However, the Blue Jays would like Snider to develop sooner rather than later.

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