Miselis's Edition: 2009 AL East Preview

With a week away from the actual first game of the 2009 MLB season; I figure it's time to get in my predictions on the divisions. First off, I will start off with the toughest division in baseball, the AL East.

1. Boston Red Sox- I am going to give the Sox a nod here as the winner of this years AL East. Overall it is hard to compare between the Red Sox and Yankees, both being pretty even.

However, the injury to A-Rod will help Boston get a decent lead early in the season, and in late September, they won't lose it.

Everyone is back from last year; starting a fresh season without Manny, no distractions. I do believe David Ortiz will have a bounce back year after dealing with his wrist injury, and help edge out the top spot in the division this year.

2. New York Yankees- This a shocker to anyone? People still having the Rays over the Yanks? Unfortunately, I do not. The Yankees went on a huge shopping spree this Christmas time, bringing in Sabathia, Teixeira, and Burnett, including Nick Swisher via trade.

The rotation gets a big boost, especially with Wang coming back. The hitting is only getting better, while the bullpen is the same. The injury to A-Rod will keep the Yanks from a division title, yet desperate times call for desperate measures; and the Yankees can't afford another slip up, which is why I see the Wild Card locked up by them.

3. Tampa Bay Rays-Coming off their magical season, the Rays didn't do that much this offseason. The one thing they did good though is bringing in Pat Burrell from the Phillies in hope of bringing more power to the lineup. Then why do I see the Rays not in the playoffs this year?

Besides the Yankees greatly improving, I'm still not sold completely on the entire lineup. Will Longoria and Upton improve from last season? Can Pena and Burrell bring enough power to carry the Rays?

The rotation I don't see any problems with; the bullpen I do. Troy Percival is only getting older; and after Percival it is shaky with Price moving to the rotation this year. They didn't go out and address the bullpen, which I felt was needed more then the bat they could have gotten via trade.

In the end, this isn't the Rays year, as they will just miss out of the Wild Card spot. Don't worry Tampa fans, you will be back to the playoffs next season!

4. Toronto Blue Jays- The Blue Jays, like previous years, will not have huge expectations going into this season. The organization faced the worst offseason, doing absolutely nothing other then losing key starter A.J Burnett.

On the positive side, you still have Roy Halladay, who will give the Jays 17-19 wins this season for a team that will struggle. Travis Snider will probably get full playing time this year, something to actually enjoy watching this season.

Alex Rios will have an improved year after the big disappointment in 08', while the rest of the aging lineup only goes for the worst.

The Jays won't be anything special, unless, just beating out the Orioles by a few games for fourth place is an accomplishment.

5. Baltimore Orioles-What can I say about the Orioles; other then finally getting good management run by Andy McPhail. The Orioles had a pretty good offseason, bringing in solid role-players such as Ty Wigginton.

Baltimore is anticipating the great await of top prospect Matthew Wieters. With the Catcher spot being warmed up for him the first month of the season, he will have a pretty good impact with the Orioles this season.

However, I am still not sold on their pitching. Being an O's fan though, I can guarantee it won't be much longer of competing for a division title. Yet, the O's will struggle in the toughest division in baseball.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com