2008 MLB Preview: The AL East

The Rays not only shed themselves of the “Devil” moniker in the offseason, but they were also able to shed the insufferable Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young-which is about as exciting as the prospects of a topless Brittany Spears in 2002.

The Rays are a young team, but have a solid roster that could cause trouble throughout the league. Put them in any other division, and the Rays could be contending in two or three years, but because they’re in the AL East, the Yankees will inevitably buy Carl Crawford from them for pennies on the dollar (and then spend the change they saved in the trade to sign him to a ludicrous deal).

Pitching-wise, the Rays only got stronger this year. The Rays have Scott Kazmir holding down the title of staff ace followed by their latest sensation-12 game winner James Shields, with Edwin Jackson and Matt Garza backing them up on a staff that led the AL in strikeouts last year. Add in Troy Percival to the bullpen, and Tampa seems ready to move out of their parents’ basement for the first time since 2004.

Jason Bartlett and Mike Difelice come in and are expected to add to an offense that came in 4th in the AL in slugging percentage (.433) and third in the AL in home runs (187). The Rays leader in home runs last year (Carlos Pena with 46) is locked up for another three years, and if Akinori Iwamura can stay healthy for an entire year, the Rays should have a very potent infield with

Cliff Floyd and John Rodriguez join the likes of CC, Rocco Baldelli, and BJ Upton-one of the best fielding trios, with three of the strongest arms amongst AL outfields (so long as the stay healthy *cough* Rocco).

Despite coming in second in the AL in errors committed last season, the Rays are looking at a great opportunity this season. With a weaker Yankees team, and a near-inept Orioles team, the Rays may be in line for their highest win total ever.

2008 Record: 75-87, Fourth in AL East

Baltimore Orioles (69-93 in 2007, Fourth in AL East):

What can be said about the Baltimore Orioles that hasn’t already been said?

Miguel Tejada and his 18 homers and 81 RBI are landing in Houston now. Brian Roberts may soon be swiping bags for the Chicago Cubs, and Erik Bedard will be keeping opposing batters hit-less in Seattle soon enough.

Throw in to the losses of Paul Bako, J.R. House, and Eli Whiteside (all catchers), the absence of Corey Patterson, and the departures of Kris Benson and Jaret Wright (both lost causes, however if they somehow make an impact somewhere else, Baltimore will be kicking themselves), and the Baltimore Orioles have holes all over their roster.

Replacing those players with names such as Guillermo Quiroz, Ben Davis, and Luke Scott certainly won’t improve this team, and in every conceivable way, they’re the weak link in what could prove to be a fairly strong AL East.

Last year the Orioles produced the following stats:

1. 13th in the AL in team ERA (5.17)
2. 13th in the AL in saves (30)
3. 2nd in total runs allowed (827)
4. 1st in walks allowed (696)

As much as I’d like to see a competitive team come out of Baltimore, I get the feeling it won’t happen for a few years. The infield (despite my strange man-love of Kevin Millar) is probably one of the worst in the league (assuming Brian Roberts is traded) and the outfield is probably a list of some of the better fourth outfielders in the league. Nick Markakis is the only player in this outfield that could garner any interest, and with the current scheme of things in Baltimore, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade one of their prime building blocks away.

As for the pitching staff, once Bedard leaves who becomes the ace? In all honesty, I run down this list and only recognize the names of Adam Loewen and Daniel Cabrera. These are the aces. Aside from that, Chris Ray may be the only bright spot in the bullpen this year-that is if he ever comes back from surgery.

Don’t expect those 2007 pitching stats to improve O’s fans.

Before I pass my final verdict though, I have to ask: How the hell do you trade two of your biggest stars, and not recognize you need at least one experienced starter in return? I mean yes they’re rebuilding, but at least the veterans know a thing or two about how to win, and they can pass on some tricks. Aren’t veteran pitchers great teachers also? I mean, pick up a David Wells-type for crying out loud just to bring in a little bit of stability. You know what else veterans give you? Insurance if your young kids get injured.

I’m not entirely sure if Baltimore even knows how to rebuild properly. This could be messy for a little longer than expected, kind of like Brittany's "meltdown".

2008 Record: 51-111, Fifth in AL East

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