The start of the baseball season is right around the corner and baseball fans everywhere are beginning to get their first taste with spring training. We’ll begin our 2010 MLB Preview with a look at the American League East.
Can the New York Yankees make a successful defense of their World Series title?
Or will the the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, both of which spent the off-season correcting their deficiencies, be able to overtake the Evil Empire?
Will the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles struggle through a rebuilding season or can they actually make an impact on the race for the AL East title?
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox spent the off-season making changes to address their defensive concerns by replacing several key starters. Fans should expect newcomer Adrian Beltre to bounce back from an awful 2009 where he hit 8 home runs and produces a lowly 44 RBI’s. But will it be enough to fill the offensive hole they have?
The success of this team will be determined on how well John Lackey pitches and if Josh Beckett is able to remain relatively injury-free during the season. On paper, they have one of the best rotations in the game.
The new formula of pitching and defense will help yield a division title for the Red Sox in 2010.
New York Yankees
The World Series champion Yankees will have the target on their backs the moment the season starts. While some familiar faces are gone, like Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, the Yankees brought in talent to replace them.
The addition of Curtis Granderson, who will make use of the short right field, and starting pitcher Javier Vasquez will have to provide dividends if they want to repeat. The real force behind the Yankees success in 2010 will be Alex Rodriguez, who finally has the monkey off his bat. It will be interesting to see how well he does this season with less pressure on him.
The Yankees will lock up the Wildcard, only a game or two behind the Red Sox.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are ready to put the 2009 season behind them and set their focus on the upcoming season. They addressed one of their biggest concerns by bringing in former Braves closer Rafael Soriano, who notched 27 saves and recorded 102 strikeouts in 75.2 innings.
The Rays’ starting pitchers will find more success from the improved bullpen. This will also take some of the pressure off third baseman Evan Longoria. His numbers will continue to improve as he makes a run at the American League MVP award in 2010.
The Rays will give the Yankees and Red Sox a run for their money but will come up just short.
Toronto Blue Jays
In case you missed it, one of the biggest story lines of the last two seasons came to an end when Roy Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Now the rebuilding effort can being for the Blue Jays.
The majority of the questions surrounding their 2010 MLB season centers on with their wide open pitching rotation. Shaun Marcum and Ricky Romero need to continue to progress while the team finds capable arms on the back end. The Blue Jays will need to find a leadoff hitter this year if they are going to be able to produce runs to compete with the heavy hitters in the American League.
The Blue Jays will be in a close battle with the Orioles for the distant fourth spot in the division.
Baltimore Orioles
Last year the Orioles had one of the worst starting rotations in the game and ended the season with a team ERA of 5.47. To help turn things around, they brought in veteran Kevin Millwood, who should help the young arms develop.
The first four hitters in their lineup consisting of Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada should provide some offense. The big question remains if the back half can do enough to help keep the pressure on the opposition.
While they may make some strides, the Orioles will find themselves in last at the end of the season.
As a life-long Yankees fan I take great offense to this article. The Evil Empire will win the divsion running away and repeat as world series champions! (evil laugh)
I didn’t write it but I tend to agree that the Red Sox are going to be the team to beat. Besides, the Evil Empire isn’t so evil any more now that George has stepped aside. Joe G has done a great job with the Yanks. Can’t believe the Marlins let him get away.
If the Rays did not make any improvements in their bullpen, the Yankees would have an easier time of locking up the division. But they did. The three teams will be going at it until the last week of the season. I selected the Red Sox to win the division because I like their pitching staff on a whole better than the Yankees.