2012 MLB Preview: AL East

The emergence of a fourth team. Just what the AL East needs, right?

"Toronto is the next Tampa," Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman says, "They have a system that's ready to pop. When you have that kind of talent, it can come very quickly. And it will."

And the Rays G.M., Andrew Friedman, essentially echoed that statement. "They're absolutely legit. [The Jays] have the talent to be really good. It wouldn't surprise me if they were playing meaningful games in September."

Not that the Yankees or Rays should be worried about their Canadian foe just yet. With the new wild card instilled, both should be playing in October. Of course, the Red Sox are out with a vengeance after last season's collapse, and the second-place division finisher out west (either Angels or Rangers) will probably take one of the wild cards.


Of the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Jays, someone, or maybe two teams, is going to be left out. This year, the Blue Jays are probably one of them. Their emergence in the next few years, however, will make baseball's best division even better.

Projected Standings

1. New York Yankees      97-65
2. Boston Red Sox           94-68
3. Tampa Bay Rays          92-70
4. Toronto Blue Jays        86-76
5. Baltimore Orioles        61-101


1. New York Yankees

Projected Lineup

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Robinson Cano
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Nick Swisher
DH Raul Ibanez
C Russell Martin
LF Brett Gardner

Projected Rotation

LH CC Sabathia
RH Ivan Nova
RH Huroki Kuroda
RH Michael Pineda
RH Phil Hughes

Before the offseason began, the Yankees looked like they would heading into 2012 with two starters and three question marks. They addressed it in an nontraditional Yankee manner: without any major signings. Trading hot prospect hitting prospect Jesus Montero for young flamethrower Michael Pineda and inking consistent vet Huroki Kuroda to a single-year deal suddenly bolster the club's rotation to one of the more feared in the bigs.

Of course, Hughes still has question marks, and Pineda was only a rookie last year. Handling the Big Apple will be quite the change from half-filled Safeco Field in Seattle, and he faces the vaunted "sophomore slump." But Pineda is a talented pitcher with unlimited potential, and consistency from him could help propel the Yankees to the Series.

David Robertson's emergence makes the Rafael Soriano signing look even worse. He may bounce back to have a productive season, but 35 million is ridiculous for a 7th-inning guy. Robertson remains the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, if there ever is going to be one.

Save Raul Ibanez' acquisition to play DH in place of retired Jorge Posada, the lineup remains essentially the same. Which means dangerous.


2. Boston Red Sox

Projected Lineup

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Adrian Gonzalez
DH David Ortiz
3B Kevin Youkilis
LF Carl Crawford
SS Mike Aviles
RF Ryan Sweeney
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Projected Rotation

RH Josh Beckett
LH Jon Lester
RH Clay Buchholz
RH Daniel Bard
LH Felix Doubront

All the attention is on Bobby Valentine this season and how he will handle his players coming off of last year's perceived lack of discipline and of course, the September collapse. Practically all the talent remains that had everyone making them their World Series pick a year ago; the talent isn't the question though, but the sense of urgency is.

Acquiring Andrew Bailey was a far better option than paying Jonathan Papelbon 50 million like Philly did. Plus, his time in Boston was finished anyways. Mike Aviles is a solid low-cost option at shortstop while they await Jose Iglesias to be ready for the show.

Daniel Bard's addition will be key: he can add to rotation depth they desperately needed in last year's 7-19 fall down the stretch. In a complete season in the rotation, 12-10 with a 3.80 ERA seems the area he will be in.

Carl Crawford returning to form could be the weapon that pushes Boston past the Yankees and Rays and into the postseason as a brute force. The Fenway Faithful may be well on their way to watching what Boston left unfinished a season ago.


The remaining three teams will be finished later tonight.