American League East Preview

Currently, the American League East is without a doubt the best league in baseball. While some baseball fans will tell you that the National League won the All Stars game last year or that it was not an American League East team that won the World Series. It does not matter. Here is why:

The Yankees

The Famed Yankees who could easily make their way to the World Series every year are gone. Obviously with an aging line up and a less than quality set of pitchers the Yankees seem to be depleted. However, to say that the Yankees are a bad team is just not the reality. As long as the Yankees still have deep pockets, they will still be a good team. Critics point out their injured starters and broken team. For the Yankees to be good this year, struggling to stay healthy will be key. If Alex Rodriguez and company stays healthy, they can look to have a good season.

The Red Sox

Despite a terrible season last year, even the Red Sox look much better. Some great acquirements were made in the off season will help this time who has to rebuild their once great empire. Allen Webster was a young pitcher in the minors last year. Acquired from the Dodgers, Webster is one of the top five prospects in the country. Webster will be started in AAA Pawtucket, but will most likely be moved up during the season. Players such as David Ortiz and Ryan Dempster will return for the 2013 season and should bring back some much needed leadership on the team. This year the Red Socks cannot afford to give up. They will need to find a groove and NOT play like last year's team. They will need the spark that they did not have last year.

The Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have always been known as the team that doesn't really fit into the great baseball that is played in the American League East. However, they have made the best trades in baseball during this off season. One acquisition that should really help the Blue Jays is right handed pitcher R.A. Dickey. Dickey was know last season as bringing life to the New York Mets. Obviously he is a huge loss for the Mets especially after throwing a no hitter last season. Dickey also won the Cy Young award last year. Jose Bautista is another player who should breath life into this team. Being injured most of last season, Bautista was severely missed on the Blue Jays last season. Their ERA went down by more than one run without him. Now that he is healthy and has players like Center fielder Colby  Rasmus to back him up, the Blue Jays might have a good season. They will look to make the playoffs this season. If they are to make the playoffs, they will need to work on their defensive game. They cannot depend on their pitchers too heavily.

The Orioles

After having a breakout season last year, the Orioles are looking to bring that same intensity back. Many of the players from last year with the exception of Mark Reynolds will be returning. Some of these players include Nick Markakis and other players such as Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, and J.J. Hardy who all one the Golden Glove in their positions last year. The Orioles also have a good pitching staff returning. This includes pitchers such as Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Tsuyoshi Wada, Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman, and Steve Johnson all of whom are fighting for some sort of role in this years Lineup. In addition Wei-Yin Chen and Jason Hammel will return to claim their starting roles after both having great seasons last year. General Manager Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter both are highly experienced and know what they are doing. Showalter has changed the entire team and caused them to make the playoffs during the previous season. Entering only his third full season as manager Showalter is what the causes the improbable Orioles to be good. The Orioles are the underdogs again this season. One fluke season cannot change this. They are also competing hard to make the playoffs. They must be consistent in their extra inning play. Without their extra inning play last year they would not have made the playoffs.

The Rays

The Rays look the least poised to win out of any team in the American League East. After a sloppy season last year they will need to strengthen before they can hope to do anything this year. The Rays have averaged 92 wins over the past five seasons, and cannot be counted out for this one. The Rays missed the playoffs last season by only a few games. They also posted the best pitching in baseball. This is what kept the team alive last year. Yunel Escobar was picked up during the off season and should help the Rays in the shortstop position. In addition award winning outfielder Wil Myers was also picked up and may possibly be brought up to the majors during some time this season. The Rays will most likely be good this year. To win a World Series they will need to improve their offense.