Division Breakdown: AL East

Monday, November 5, 2007

The American League East has always been a competitive division, so I expect them to try and improve in any way possible. The Yankees and Red Sox are obviously on top, but that will not stop the Devil Rays, Orioles, or Blue Jays from making a run. Let's see where they stand:

1. Red Sox
The Red Sox are sitting mighty high on top of the baseball world after winning their second World Series in four years. More importantly, they have won two more World Series' since 2000 than the Yankees have. I do not see too big of improvements here, mainly just improving the bullpen and maybe bringing in another starter. They will probably sign Lowell, but if they don't, I do not expect them to trade for a big name. They think very highly of Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester and do not plan to trade either. They will probably trade Coco Crisp, and probably bring in another Japanese pitcher to team up with Hideki Okajima in the bullpen.

2. Yankees
The Yankees lost their manager, coaching staff, and best player in baseball in a single month. Although they brought in Joe Girardi, they still need to make upgrades. I expect them to go big for Miguel Cabrera, and try and sign a pair of young pitchers. They could always trade for Johan Santana, but their is no reason to unload their whole minor league system. They are transforming into a young team again, and should look to bring in younger, developing players to lead this team in the next year or so. For first base, Eric Duncan seems like a good choice to offer the spot to in Spring Training, or else platoon with someone else. Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part, but a lot of teams are successful with sticking with their young players, and I think the Yankees might finally try it out.

3. Blue Jays
The Blue Jays struck out last year in landing proven pitching. Their outfield is weak and they could use a solid reliever to help out the bullpen. Don't rule out an Eric Gagne signing for the Blue Jays. The Canadian would probably take a two year deal to return home. Also, they could trade for outfielder Jason Bay, who happens to be Canadian as well, to play left field. That is setting up a solid outfield with Bay, Wells, and Rios. From there, the pitching market is weak but taking a chance on someone out there is not a bad move. They will not take the division in 2008, but could begin to change the face of the team if they pull off my moves.

4. Orioles
The Orioles need to clean house. They need to trade away just about everything and get a boatload of prospects in return. I mean trade: Bedard, Tejada, Mora, Roberts, Millar, and Hernandez. Build around Nick Markakis, because he is the only one that will get better. It will only be a couple years then that you will be fighting for the Wild Card while the aging Yankees fight to hang on.

5. Devil Rays
It all starts with the outfield. What they need to do is trade Carl Crawford for a star pitcher, and rebuild from there. I mean, move B.J. Upton to third base, move Iwamura to second base, and Brendan Harris to shortstop. Then you have Baldelli in left, Dukes in center, and Young in right field. Then once Johan Santana is dealt, put Kazmir on the market to the teams who missed out on Santana and receive a boatload of prospects in return. From there, lock up Carlos Pena and make a move on one of the free agent catchers. I say either Michael Barrett or Yorvit Torrealba. Gomes deserves another chance at DH, but maybe it would be smart to give a role like that to a veteran, maybe Barry Bonds?

5 comments:

Anonymous 6:11 PM CST  

eli can you just respond to some of your comments for once please? you have such stupid ideas. the yankees already have a crowded rotation with 3 young pitchers in the mix...why would they go out and sign two young pitchers? and eric duncan at first? are you on drugs man? look at how poorly this guy has played and how much his stock has dropped. please for once back up what you are saying and respond to a comment.

Eli 6:31 PM CST  

I did not say put him at first and start him everyday. Give him a shot to take the job and put no pressure on him. Look how Carl Crawford developed in that situation. He is young, he has the potential to take the spot. For pitching. they have wang , pettitte, hughes, chamberlain, mussina. Mussina should be out of the rotation because he is no longer effective, but that is just me. I do not doubt hughes, but a young starter to back the rotation would not be bad if injury plagues the team. you can never have to much piching.

Anonymous 8:55 PM CST  

According to a Marlins beat reporter on Mike and the Mad Dog last week, Girardi and Miguel Cabrera did not really have a positive relationship. The reporter stated something along the lines that Girardi, as Yanks coach, would more than likely NOT attempt to bring Cabrera to the NYY given their past relationship.

Anonymous 11:32 PM CST  

Call me crazy but why would the DRays trade CC only to move Upton to 3rd. They believe he is a quality (but developing) center fielder. If they were to trade Crawford I think the best bet is to just move Baldelli to left. Dukes has a terrible rookie season and has plenty of off the field issues. Also Evan Longoria should be called up soon so why put Upton there when the future is in the minors?

Anonymous 4:26 PM CST  

The Jays are not looking for an outfielder because they already have too many. They have Rios, Wells and Johnson and recently signed Stairs to a two year deal. Besides, they have Adam Lind developing in the minors.
The Jays will have a very solid bullpen next year, with Jeremy Accardo as the set-up man and BJ Ryan as the closer.
What they need to do is get rid of J.P. Ricciardi :)