Season Predictions: AL East

With the season just a few days away, I thought there was no better time to make my predictions for each division. 

We'll go from each division to the divisional playoffs, then to the World Series and eventually crown the new World Champions.

So, without further ado, let's start with the AL East.

Let's eliminate two teams right off the bat because this is going to be a three team race to the finish. No offense to the Orioles and Blue Jays, but they just aren't up to the level of the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox.

I never actually thought I'd ever catch myself saying the Rays were in the same conversation with the Yankees and Sox, yet here we are talking about the Rays as the defending AL East Champions.

The Yankees made their mark this past offseason doing something they're famous for, which is signing high-priced players and spending more than $400 million on just three players. 

Their first signing was former Indian and Brewer left-hander C.C. Sabathia.  Sabathia signed a 7-year $161 million contract, the richest contract ever given to a major league pitcher. 

Next up was former Blue Jay right-hander A.J. Burnett, who signed a 5-year $82.5 million deal. 

Last, but certainly not least by any stretch, was first baseman Mark Teixeira who signed the biggest contract of the three. The Yankees signed the former Angel and Brave to an 8-year $180 million contract, bringing the grand total of all three players to 20-years and...drum roll please...$423 million. Well done New York.

As for the Red Sox, they also had their work cut out for them, but they took the low road. Boston would sign former Dodger right-hander, Brad Penny to a 1-year $5 million contract as well as Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa to a 3-year $3 million contract. 

Turns out both were good moves as Curt Schilling would call it a career just a few weeks ago, an announcement he made through his website.

The biggest signing in my opinion, but possibly the biggest question mark, is going to be long time Atlanta Brave John Smoltz, who was signed by the Red Sox for 1-year and $5 million, but the deal includes bonuses that could make it worth almost $10 million.

As far as the defending AL East Champions, the biggest splash they made this offseason was signing former Phillies' outfielder Pat Burrell to a 2-year $16 million deal.

Prediction: Ok, now that all that has been said, it's time to get down to what we're all here for. My apologies to the Yankees and Red Sox, but I just don't think either has the talent of the Rays. The Yankees can spend all the money in the world, but it won't be enough for the ninth straight year. 

The Red Sox are getting there, but I don't know that their pitching is going to hold up.

The Rays have the young talent and the pitching that should keep them in front for most of, if not the entire, year.

Tampa Bay Rays 2009 AL East Champions