Projecting 2012 MLB All-Stars by Division: Team AL East

Craig AmosFeb 13, 2012

It is often said that the American League East is the toughest division in all of baseball. Here, we will examine the class of the powerhouse that is composed of the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.

The choice of representatives for Team AL East are based on projections, not analysis of who had the best 2011 campaign. Player history will not be written off, but the intention is to anticipate who will be the division's best at each position during the upcoming season.

In an exercise such as this it is difficult to make a "wrong" choice, but if you disagree with any selections feel free to sound off in the comments section below.

Now, let's get to it!

All statistics are attributed to Baseball-Reference.com.

Catcher: Matt Wieters (Orioles)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .262/.328/.450, 22/68/1

In 2011 Wieters began displaying the power that scouts had been raving about for years. Catchers who can hit 20 dingers are rare, and ones who can do it while hitting for average are like leprechauns. I expect Wieters to find his pot o' gold in 2012.

Though he could exhibit better plate discipline, Wieters posted a solid OBP last season.

His defense is very good and should continue to improve with experience. 2012 will be his true breakout season.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .280/.353/.505, 28/87/2

First Base: Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .338/.410/.548, 27/117/1

"Gonzo" will be the best first baseman in the AL East this coming season. The Red Sox's prized acquisition in 2011, Gonzalez exceeded expectations last year and may be even better in 2012.

Gonzalez has always possessed terrific power, but showed last year that he is a complete hitter. Because the former San Diego Padre is capable of spreading the ball all over the field, he benefits from the short left field fence at Fenway, racking up extra-base hits.

Gonzalez will once again anchor the Red Sox lineup in 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .324/.415/.544, 31/120/2

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .307/.387/.474, 21/91/26

Robinson Cano probably had a better offensive 2011 season, but the Red Sox's second baseman put up some pretty gaudy numbers of his own.

Pedroia has a very well-rounded game and he seems to be putting all his tools to use at the same time more and more regularly. The 28-year-old California native is poised for another big year, which will see him collect his 1,000th career base hit.

Pedroia is a two-time Gold Glove winner and should compete for a third trophy in 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .315/.395/.484, 23/95/29

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Third Base: Evan Longoria (Rays)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .244/.355/.495, 31/99/3

Longoria consistently puts in strong seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, but struggled making consistent contact last season. Even so, the slugger still managed an OBP of .355, and topped the 30-home run plateau for the second time in his four-year career.

Expect Longoria to bolster his average his season, and expect his power to stay. Also, expect him to compete for a third Gold Glove.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .279/.380/.520, 33/106/7

Shortstop: J.J. Hardy (Orioles)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .269/.310/.491, 30/80/0

I was tempted to go with Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar here, because of his superior OBP and defense. But I just can't ignore Hardy's power.

Hardy smacked 30 round-trippers for the first time in his seven-year career in 2011, but it was certainly not the first time he has shown himself to possess terrific pop.

The biggest concern with selecting Hardy to Team AL East is his dubious durability. Though effective when on the field, Hardy has only played more than 150 games in a season one time in seven years.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .264/.322/.451, 22/81/1

Left Field: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .321/.376/.552, 32/105/39

I am not buying into the Red Sox's center fielder as an annual 30-home run guy, but Ellsbury is still an all-around elite outfielder.

He has always had a good stroke at the plate, and is a threat to turn a walk into a double or a triple by stealing.

It will be difficult for the 28-year-old to put in an effort worthy of being dubbed an encore of last season, but Ellsbury should continue to develop as one of the most efficient all-around players in the division.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .318/.368/.430, 21/81/40

Center Field: B.J. Upton (Rays)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .243/.331/.429, 23/81/36

Call me crazy, but I believe Upton will put up career numbers this season. The obvious choice here would have been Curtis Granderson, but keep in mind this is projection, not performance record.

Upton is 27 years old heading into the 2012 season, and will be a free agent at the season's end. This means he may not be a part of the AL East at the conclusion of the 2012 season, but regardless of where he ends up playing, he is a strong candidate for breakout player of the year.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .273/.363/.449, 27/82/40

Right Field: Jose Bautista (Blue Jays)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .302/.447/.608, 43/103/9

In 2011 Jose Bautista proved that he was more than a one-year wonder. Though the slugger's home run total dropped from 2010, his 43 in 2011 was good enough to lead the majors for a second year in a row.

Bautista grew as a batter last season, drawing a major league-best 132 walks, and raised his batting average 42 points from 2010.

We'll have to wait and see what he comes up with for 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .294/.425/.600, 39/109/4

Designated Hitter: Robinson Cano (Yankees)

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB): .302/.349/.533, 28/118/8

At 29 years of age, Cano is coming off three consecutive impressive seasons. He gets the nod at DH over teammate Mark Teixeira, because of the latter's declining ability to make consistent contact.

Cano's .302 average in 2011 was actually sub-par by his standards, and an increase in that category is feasible in 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics: .315/.364/.525, 27/108/10

Rotation: Hellickson, Sabathia, Price, Buchholz, Romero

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2011 Statistics (W-L, ERA, IP)

Jeremy Hellickson (Rays): 13-10, 2.95, 189.0

Hellickson won the American League Rookie of the Year award for his performance in 2011. While a sophomore slump is a definite possibility, Hellickson is a rare talent and may be able to shake the curse.

CC Sabathia (Yankees): 19-8, 3.00, 237.1

Sabathia continues to put up stellar numbers in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. The big fella has a whopping new contract, but should maintain a similar level of effectiveness for a few years to come.

David Price (Rays): 12-13, 3.49, 224.1

Price struggled at times during his third big league season, seeing his ERA spike 0.77 points from 2010 to 2011. The upcoming season should see the lefty get back on track and post numbers similar to his 19-6, 2.72 ERA line that he managed in 2010.

Clay Buchholz (Red Sox): 6-3, 3.48, 82.2

Injuries limited the insanely talented Buchholz last season. Healthy and ready to go for 2012, the Texas native should regain his "ace" status.

Ricky Romero (Blue Jays): 15-11, 2.93, 225.0

Though he flies under the radar a bit, Romero posted the best ERA in 2011 of any pitcher selected (sorry, James Shields). Romero has improved every year of his career and should continue the trend in 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics

Jeremy Hellickson: 16-7, 2.88, 205.0

CC Sabathia: 20-5, 3.08, 228.2

David Price: 18-8, 2.94, 231.0

Clay Buchholz: 21-4, 2.90, 216.1

Ricky Romero: 17-7, 2.98, 224.0

Bullpen: Rivera, Bailey, Cordero, Oliver, Lester

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2011 Statistics (W-L, ERA, IP, SV/SVO)

Closer: Mariano Rivera (Yankees), 1-2, 1.91, 61.1, 44 SV/49 SVO

Every manager in baseball, minus Joe Girardi, has to be a little jealous that they don't have Rivera when the ninth inning rolls around and their team is clinging to a small lead. Though he will be 42 years old this season, Rivera will continue to dominate.

Setup Man: Andrew Bailey (Red Sox), 0-4, 3.24, 41.2, 24 SV/26 SVO

If Bailey can stay healthy he should be one of the top closers in the league. With a career ERA of 2.07, Bailey should prove a steal for Boston immediately.

Middle-Relief Right-Hander: Francisco Cordero (Blue Jays), 5-3, 2.45, 69.2, 37 SV/43 SVO

Cordero has long been a top closer in MLB. He was disappointed by his market during the offseason, but has plenty of motivation to pitch well as a setup man for Toronto, as he will be a free agent once again in 2013. Cordero just squeezes by Boston's Mark Melancon for this spot.

Middle-Relief Left-Hander: Darren Oliver (Blue Jays), 5-5, 2.29, 51.0, 2 SV/6 SVO

Though he entered what should have been the twilight of his career half a decade ago, Oliver has seen his ERA drop for four straight seasons. He should prove to be a good signing for the Jays if he is not overused.

Long Relief: Jon Lester (Red Sox), 15-9, 3.47, 191.2, 0 SV/0 SVO

Lester is a tremendous starter and would be quite a luxury for Team AL East. Lester's stats from last season don't compare favorably to his line from 2010, but I predict he will bounce back in 2012.

Projected 2012 Statistics

Mariano Rivera: 2-4, 2.15, 60.0, 37 SV/42 SVO

Andrew Bailey: 1-4, 2.22, 62.0, 40 SV/44 SVO

Francisco Cordero: 3-3, 2.55, 63.2, 6 SV/7 SVO

Darren Oliver: 5-3, 2.79, 61.1, 3 SV/5 SVO

Jon Lester: 17-8, 3.11, 205.0, 0 SV/0 SVO

Bench: Martin, Granderson, Zobrist, Lawrie

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2011 Statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG, HR/RBI/SB)

Ben Zobrist (Rays): .269/.353/.469, 20/91/19

Zobrist is a coach's dream. The guy does it all at the plate, posting a solid all-around line, and in the field, playing everywhere except pitcher and catcher. His versatility off the bench for Team AL East would be prized.

Curtis Granderson (Yankees): .262/.364/.552, 41/119/25

I am not of the school that believes Granderson will blast 41 homers ever again, but the center fielder does have considerable power, and showed much better plate discipline last year than ever before.

JP Arencibia (Blue Jays): .219/.282/.438, 23/78/1

Arencibia gets the nod because of his power, and the capacity to drastically up his average in the 2012 season. Though I do not anticipate the backstop will hit at an overly impressive clip, reaching the .230-.250 mark is likely in 2012.

Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays): .293/.373/.580, 9/25/7

Call for my head if you will, but I project Lawrie to have a better all-around 2012 than Mark Teixeira. In 43 games last year Lawrie set a pace that would have given him a superior season to "Tex," and the Canadian is confident he will deliver this summer. I am too.

Projected 2012 Statistics

Ben Zobrist: .271/.363/.480, 23/89/20

Curtis Granderson: .272/.362/.513, 33/102/18

JP Arencebia: .234/.315/.440, 26/81/3

Brett Lawrie: .277/.353/.484, 23/83/21