The days when the AL East was too easy to predict were long gone.
Between 1998 and 2003, five teams in the AL East finished in the same order each season. At that time, the New York Yankees had the leadership, the Boston Red Sox tried to knock them down and the rest always as chasers, the state prevailed for a long time.
This is the new age.
In the past nine seasons, each team has placed first in the division at least once. Boston has done this three times, but the Red Sox have also sunk to the bottom four times, except in 2022. The day when the ranking is easy to predict is long.
The last season ended with the regular season team on top – the Yankees rounded out a 99-63 record – but the bids were under way. Toronto and Tampa Bay fought for wild-card tickets, but had to contend with a Baltimore team that accumulated 31 games over the previous season.
When asked about expectations in the division this year, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde laughed at the simplicity — and clarity — of his answer.
“I think our division is very good. It will be the same next year,” Hyde said. we did that we could compete. We are not going to be surprised this year. They already know that we are a talented team and we are excited by the challenge of finding ourselves in the most difficult division.
How do they look?
1. Yankees Aaron Judge remains in New York after hitting an AL record 62 home runs last season, signing a nine-year, $360 million contract. He also takes on the new role of coach of the Bronx Bombers – the franchise’s first since Derek Jeter.
Continue reading the story
The Yankees added star lefty Carlos Rodon to bolster a rotation led by Gerrit Cole. The rest of the team, which was fielded by the Astros in the ALCS, remains largely intact. New York hasn’t reached the World Series since 2009, its longest streak since it first won in 1921.
2. Rays. Tampa Bay has been a carrier for four years. They did it in 2022, despite injuries to shortstop Wander Franco (he barely played in 83 games) and second baseman Brandon Lowe (65 games). Right-hander Tyler Glasnow missed the entire season, and Shane McClanahan finished sixth in Cy Young voting despite a sore shoulder. Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino are gone, but the Rays join a team that has the benefit of the doubt to take such losses and remain in the lead.
3. Tiles. The Blue Jays began to stumble to the point that they changed managers. A score of 46-28 with John Schneider was enough to call the playoffs with a wild card. Toronto has a lineup with the power to fight anyone, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette. But Teoscar Hernandez divided Seattle in dealing with outsiders. The Blue Jays pitching was excellent last year. Alek Manoah finished third in the Cy Young voting and Kevin Gausman also had his best season, but Hyun Jin Ryu has only six starts with forearm problems and José Berríos has stepped back.
4. Red Sox. Boston lost shortstop Xander Bogaerts and slugger JD Martinez to free agency, and infielder Trevor Story underwent elbow surgery. Boston could sign closer Kenley Jansen, infielder Justin Turner and infielder Masataka Yoshida. Perhaps more important was the fact that they were able to retain Rafael Devers by offering the Dominican third baseman a hefty contract. It also calmed a crowd that hasn’t let up on the departures of Mookie Betts and Bogaerts in recent years. Boston could use the injury free season from Chris Sale, who has only put up 11 games in the last three years.
5. Orioles. Baltimore could fight for a postseason berth and finish last. It remains to be seen if his winter is a good plan in this division. Rookie receiver Adley Rutschman has led the rise in 2022, and other prospects are knocking on the door. Infielder Gunnar Henderson played late last season and Grayson Rodriguez could bolster the rotation. We’ll have to see how the bullpen responds, which is surprisingly solid rebounding out of nowhere. If they go back, it will be more difficult to repeat than they promise.
NEW ACCOUNTING
With a more balanced schedule this year, the teams from the AL East will meet each other 13 times this year, up from 19. If they play a fuller role outside the division, there will be plenty of wild card tickets to split between them. .
Each Eastern Conference team posted a positive record against non-division opponents last year. Even Boston, which is 26-50 against division rivals, but 52-34 against the rest.
Not including the 2020 expansion season, the AL East has produced 10 wild cards in seven seasons since 2015. No other division exceeds more than six.
MORE PROSPECTS
While the Orioles have been in the spotlight recently for their crop of prospects — they have four of the top 50 players, according to the MLB rankings — other teams in the East are promising chips.
Anthony Volpe is the No. 1 shortstop. 5 in zero and worked on the roster from day one. Right-hander Taj Bradley (20th) went 7-4 with a 2.57 ERA in the minor leagues with Tampa Bay in 2022. And the Red Sox dedicated infielder Triston Casas (23rd) in September.
