American League East Preview

Just as pitchers and catchers are reporting to their respective camps its time to figure out the jumbled mess that is the American League East. Sure the Red Sox spent their money on John Lackey, and the Yankees traded for Curtis Granderson and Javier Vasquez. But how will the A.L East turn out. Well here it goes.

1. Yankees. The defending world champs look like a 100-win ball club easily. Yes, they lost Matsui and Damon but added an All-Star outfielder in Granderson who should help them become more of a base stealing club.

They basically stole Javier Vasquez from the Braves for Melky Cabrera. Vasquez will solidify a starting rotation among the best in baseball, and if the Yankees do make it back to October baseball they won't have to worry about a three starter rotation.

2. Red Sox. They added John Lackey from the team that eliminated them last October. He will give them depth in their rotation, but weren't we saying the same thing about their rotation last year and Daisuke already has a back problem.

Their offense took a bit of a hit losing Bay to the Mets. Everyone seems to be excited about his replacement Mike Cameron but he just turned 37 last month. Adrian Beltre is coming off an injury also and we're still not sure if Mike Lowell will be there. Their rotation alone can win them 90 games but their offense seems lacking and older.

3. Orioles. The Orioles had the busiest off season of any team in the American League East. They added Garrett Atkins , Kevin Millwood, and brought back Miguel Tejada.

Add them to the young core of Nick Markakis and Adam Jones and a full season of Matt Wieters behind the plate and they can surprise a lot of people.

The only thing that they are missing is a winning attitude. If the Red Sox or Yankees suffer a big injury the Orioles could step up into second place.

4. Rays. The Rays remain the same team that came so close to winning the World Series two years ago. The Yankees and Red Sox improved their ball clubs and the Rays if they want to keep that winning spirit must do the same.

The only real off season move they made was trading away Akinori Iwamura to the Pirates. If they want to compete they have to improve their ball club like the juggernauts in the division do. Who knows if the Rays are out of it by July 31st Carl Crawford could be playing for someone else.

5. Blue Jays. If the Blue Jays couldn't compete with Roy Halladay, how are they supposed to compete without him. They're a team in transition. Ownership has to decide if they want to rebuild or sign free agents and compete now.

But when your in the A.L East its hard to outbid the Yankees and Red Sox.

So there it is, the American League East. But who knows what could happen. Baseball's a funny game. A huge injury to the Sox and Yanks could help the Orioles or Rays make it to the post season. All we can do is try to pick em as they look now. Fresh and healthy.