2012 American League East Preview: New York Yankees Will Top Division Once More

The American League East Division has historically been dominated by the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. There is very good reason for that. Both teams are the two richest teams in baseball. They have the resources needed to build their teams up.

However, in 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays have shown that money does not always win ball games. It takes heart, skill, desire and strategy to make a playoff run.

This year, Major League Baseball has added another wild-card team. One of the wild cards, if not both, will most likely come from this division. At the start of the season, it is still anyone's division. All teams have the same record.

With that being said, let's take a look at the 2012 American League East Division, team-by-team.

5th: Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles have not been seriously competitive since the 1990's; don't look for any surprises this year. The pitching staff is just too young and inexperienced. The O's were last in the MLB in ERA and WHIP last season.

Jeremy Guthrie is the team's only experienced starter. The veteran workhorse led the team in games started (34), strikeouts (130) and innings pitched (208). However, if Guthrie starts out strong, and the team tanks early, look for the O's to trade him mid-season to make room for younger pitching.

Catcher Matt Wieters is hoping to reproduce the rebound season he had in 2011—a season in which he belted 22 home runs.

The team is still looking for a full-time third baseman after Mark Reynolds' horrendous defensive effort forced manager Buck Showalter to move him to first base. Reynolds, and his third base replacement Chris Davis, combined for 36 errors during the 2011 season. Defensive consistency at the corner positions is a must if Baltimore hopes to contend early.

And Baltimore must contend early if they hope to finish anywhere better fifth place. In a division that features the Yankees and Red Sox, the O's must win games early in the season, or they will be left in the dust. Although the team is still a work in progress, it is likely that the O's will win 70 games for the first time in five years.

Prediction: 5th, 71-91

4th: Toronto Blue Jays

It has been almost 20 years since Toronto has tasted playoff glory. The biggest reason for this is that they share a division with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, although the recent success of the Tampa Bay Rays has proven that the Yankees and the Red Sox are not invincible.

With the institution of a second wild-card team this year, the Jays hope to end their long playoff drought.

Rookie third-baseman Brett Lawrie will seek to recapture the magic he made in only 43 games last year, batting .293 with 9 home runs and 25 RBI.

If things go well early for Toronto, they will be a strong player in the mid-season trade market, as they have extra room in their salary cap to take on a veteran player or two. The team can hit the long ball, but their starting pitching is lacking. They need to add a No. 3 starter to pitch behind Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero.

General Manager Alex Anthopoulos added to his depleted bullpen by signing closer Sergio Santos. Veteran closer Francisco Cordero was also added as a setup man for Santos. But without strong starting pitching, this team has no hope of playing with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.

Prediction: 4th, 79-83

3rd: Tampa Bay Rays

Once again, it is a death race to first place in the American League East.

Even though the Yankees and Red Sox have the highest payrolls in baseball, the Rays have proven that they can play with the big boys. They have won the division two out of the last four years, with a World Series appearance in 2008. The Rays are another team that hope to benefit from the added wild-card spot in case they cannot win the division.

The team looks forward to the rookie season of Matt Moore, the future ace of the Rays. The Rays' brass were so impressed with Moore, that they gave him an eight-year contact extension over the offseason. He is my preseason prediction to win American League Rookie of the Year.

If Evan Longoria can stay healthy, he will once again compete for American League Most Valuable Player. A healthy and strong Longoria means that he could possibly hit 40 home runs.

Speed and defense is how the Rays win games. Although they are 23rd in batting average, the Rays are second in stolen bases and fielding percentage. Their weakness is the bullpen. Even though Kyle Farnsworth led the bullpen with a 2.18 ERA and 25 saves, the Rays were unable to acquire any help for their veteran closer.

The Rays will stay in contention late, but barring a collapse reminiscent of 2011, the Rays do not have the pieces needed to clinch the division. A wild-card berth is more likely.

Prediction: 3rd, 88-74

2nd: Boston Red Sox

Leadership, or lack thereof, was to blame for Boston's disappointing end-of-season collapse in 2011. Therefore, the Red Sox begin the 2012 season with a new manager and general manager.

Although new manager Bobby Valentine has not managed a team in ten years, he does have over 1,100 wins and a National League pennant under his belt. He knows what it takes to get his team to the World Series and he looks to do the same with Boston.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia and centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury have emerged as the faces of the franchise. After a season-ending injury in 2010, Pedroia was the comeback kid in 2011, batting .307, with 21 home runs and 91 RBI. Ellsbury led the majors in extra base hits last season (83); he also posted career highs in almost every statistical category and was second in AL MVP voting.

Offense will not be a problem for this team. The Sox were first in total bases, slugging pct., OBP, runs scored and RBI last season. Their defense and pitching will also be strong if healthy.

What doomed this team in 2011 was lack of leadership. With Valentine's guidance, the Sox should win the AL Wild Card this season.

Prediction: 2nd (Wild Card winner), 92-70

1st: New York Yankees

The Yankees again will dominate the American League East. The only thing that could potentially stop them is age. The Yankees are the oldest team in baseball, but age has never been a problem for them in the past, and I don't think it will be an issue this year either.

The team was able to trade for the young RHP Michael Pineda to back up C.C. Sabathia as the No. 2 pitcher. Although the price was high (they traded top prospect Jesus Montero), Pineda will make a quick impact on this team. He will be the Yankees' pitcher of the future.

The Yankees have something that the Red Sox desperately needed last season: leadership, particularly in the form of Derek Jeter. The Yankee captain has cemented himself as one of the all-time Yankee greats. He will lead this team to the playoffs once again, despite his declining numbers.

Alex Rodriguez had a down year in 2011, but he is 36 years old. He may never hit 30 home runs again, but the Yankees still rely on his bat to win games. However, if A-Rod shows that he can't play third base at a high level anymore, manager Joe Girardi will most likely move him to designated hitter, replacing Rodriguez at third with either Eric Chavez or Eduardo Nunez.

The Yankees have no problem producing runs. They were in the top five in almost every offensive statistical category last season, including first in home runs (222). They are also very patient at the plate. They led the majors in walks.

The only possible downfall for New York is their age, but if the team can stay healthy, the Yanks will undoubtedly win the AL East again.

Prediction: 1st, 96-66