Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Jan 27, 2014 3:03:46 GMT -5
2014 American League East Division Preview
1. Boston Red Sox
2013 Record: 15-4
It's debatable that the Red Sox are the best team in the baseball this season. After a disappointing 8-11 2012 campaign, the Red Sox earned a first round bye in the 2013 post-season with a 15-4 record and the American League East Division Title. After defeating the Rays in the first round, however, the Sox were defeated by the red hot 18-1 Texas Rangers in the ALCS, thus ending their season. It's easy to call anything short of a championship a disappointment, but a seven-game improvement and going from last to first in the division is quite the one-year jump. This season, the Red Sox are the clear favorites for the division, and one of the top teams in the American League. Adrian Gonzalez (503 PTS) continues to man first base for Boston with Kendrys Morales (465 PTS) playing the utility role as a first baseman. The Ramirez "brothers", Aramis (272.5 PTS-INJ) and Alexei (458 PTS), also play key roles on offense. The Red Sox are loaded in the outfield with Matt Holliday (539 PTS), Carlos Beltran (501 PTS), Ben Zobrist (492.5 PTS), and Martin Prado (462.5 PTS) all available. In the rotation, Cliff Lee (560.9 PTS) remains the clear ace of this rotation and is locked up on a long-term deal through 2016. Boston also acquired Mike Minor (490.7 PTS) from San Diego to improve this incredibly deep rotation. Along with Lee and Minor, the Sox also brought in R.A. Dickey (488.3 PTS) from New York (Mets), and Lance Lynn (489.3 PTS) continues to improve after his emergence last season. In the pen, Jonathan Papelbon (312.6 PTS) is the primary closer. However, the team has two more extremely talented relievers in Glen Perkins (362.6 PTS) and LaTroy Hawkins (274.4 PTS) who could both see action closing games. The Red Sox will be really good. They should be in a battle with Los Angeles for the league's best team all season.
Grade: A+
2. Toronto Blue Jays
2013 Record: 14-5
Well, the Jays sure soared last season in the tough American League with a 14-5 record and a #5 seed in the playoffs. And although they were unable to be victorious over the Angels in the first round... there weren't many teams who could last season. Toronto is under new ownership this season and a conglomeration of moves have already been made to improve this roster that was already so good last season. This year, the Jays will look to climb even higher on the American League totem poll in quest of a championship. On offense, the young second Jose Altuve (430.5 PTS) figures to be a key part of the lineup this season. Veterans Jimmy Rollins (417.5 PTS) and Torii Hunter (495.5 PTS) should continue to produce although they're starting to get up there in years. Unlike Rollins and Hunter, young outfielders Starling Marte (446 PTS) and Norichika Aoki (439 PTS) can hopefully improve after two solid seasons. The strength of this team in 2014 will likely be the rotation. James Shields (538.8 PTS) leads this rotation again in the last year of his contract; it could be an even bigger year for Shields (9th in scoring among pitchers last season) who will likely bring in the big money next off-season, whether with Toronto or elsewhere. Alongside Shields, veteran Bartolo Colon (499.4 PTS) was the 17th best pitcher in baseball last season, giving the team a second starter who could be an ace for most teams. Youngsters Mike Leake (453.8 PTS) and Dillon Gee (437 PTS) both had terrific seasons on this great staff. A key to the rotation could be how well Jeremy Guthrie (451.7 PTS) pitches after a nice comeback last season. In the bullpen, Jonny Venters returns after being injured last season and could be a major contributor in getting holds. The team signed former elite talent Andrew Bailey (144.3 PTS) to be the closer, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he will reemerge. The division is going to be really good, but the Jays should at least be able to hold their spot as one of the wild card teams or potentially a division winner.
Grade: A-
1. Boston Red Sox
2013 Record: 15-4
It's debatable that the Red Sox are the best team in the baseball this season. After a disappointing 8-11 2012 campaign, the Red Sox earned a first round bye in the 2013 post-season with a 15-4 record and the American League East Division Title. After defeating the Rays in the first round, however, the Sox were defeated by the red hot 18-1 Texas Rangers in the ALCS, thus ending their season. It's easy to call anything short of a championship a disappointment, but a seven-game improvement and going from last to first in the division is quite the one-year jump. This season, the Red Sox are the clear favorites for the division, and one of the top teams in the American League. Adrian Gonzalez (503 PTS) continues to man first base for Boston with Kendrys Morales (465 PTS) playing the utility role as a first baseman. The Ramirez "brothers", Aramis (272.5 PTS-INJ) and Alexei (458 PTS), also play key roles on offense. The Red Sox are loaded in the outfield with Matt Holliday (539 PTS), Carlos Beltran (501 PTS), Ben Zobrist (492.5 PTS), and Martin Prado (462.5 PTS) all available. In the rotation, Cliff Lee (560.9 PTS) remains the clear ace of this rotation and is locked up on a long-term deal through 2016. Boston also acquired Mike Minor (490.7 PTS) from San Diego to improve this incredibly deep rotation. Along with Lee and Minor, the Sox also brought in R.A. Dickey (488.3 PTS) from New York (Mets), and Lance Lynn (489.3 PTS) continues to improve after his emergence last season. In the pen, Jonathan Papelbon (312.6 PTS) is the primary closer. However, the team has two more extremely talented relievers in Glen Perkins (362.6 PTS) and LaTroy Hawkins (274.4 PTS) who could both see action closing games. The Red Sox will be really good. They should be in a battle with Los Angeles for the league's best team all season.
Grade: A+
2. Toronto Blue Jays
2013 Record: 14-5
Well, the Jays sure soared last season in the tough American League with a 14-5 record and a #5 seed in the playoffs. And although they were unable to be victorious over the Angels in the first round... there weren't many teams who could last season. Toronto is under new ownership this season and a conglomeration of moves have already been made to improve this roster that was already so good last season. This year, the Jays will look to climb even higher on the American League totem poll in quest of a championship. On offense, the young second Jose Altuve (430.5 PTS) figures to be a key part of the lineup this season. Veterans Jimmy Rollins (417.5 PTS) and Torii Hunter (495.5 PTS) should continue to produce although they're starting to get up there in years. Unlike Rollins and Hunter, young outfielders Starling Marte (446 PTS) and Norichika Aoki (439 PTS) can hopefully improve after two solid seasons. The strength of this team in 2014 will likely be the rotation. James Shields (538.8 PTS) leads this rotation again in the last year of his contract; it could be an even bigger year for Shields (9th in scoring among pitchers last season) who will likely bring in the big money next off-season, whether with Toronto or elsewhere. Alongside Shields, veteran Bartolo Colon (499.4 PTS) was the 17th best pitcher in baseball last season, giving the team a second starter who could be an ace for most teams. Youngsters Mike Leake (453.8 PTS) and Dillon Gee (437 PTS) both had terrific seasons on this great staff. A key to the rotation could be how well Jeremy Guthrie (451.7 PTS) pitches after a nice comeback last season. In the bullpen, Jonny Venters returns after being injured last season and could be a major contributor in getting holds. The team signed former elite talent Andrew Bailey (144.3 PTS) to be the closer, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he will reemerge. The division is going to be really good, but the Jays should at least be able to hold their spot as one of the wild card teams or potentially a division winner.
Grade: A-