Post by aaron_commissioner on Oct 21, 2017 10:38:23 GMT -8
Last but not least, we have come to the Al East season preview. This is probably the most interesting division in the ABL, and has had a very active offseason.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Half-full:The Orioles finished just a few games out of the wild card last year, and still have some big time talent. They were near the top in the league last year in home runs, and will likely be in a similar position this year. If they get a lead, watch out. Zach Britton is as good as they come. With no clear frontrunner for the division, don't count them out of a playoff spot.
Half-empty: Baltimore lost perhaps the most talented player to change teams in the offseason in Manny Machado. Yes, they got a huge haul for him, But trading a superstar at age 26 within the division is a huge risk. Among the 5 teams in the AL East, the Orioles are the only one to have admitted to going for a "rebuild". Long term, the outlook seems optimistic, but for 2019, it could be a last place finish in a very competitive division.
Player to watch: The entire starting rotation. This group struggled last year, but there is a lot of interesting talent there. If any of them can bounceback, look for some trade value to be gained at a position that is very scarce (SP).
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Half-full: The Blue Jays say they are "all-in" for this year, and this might be a good time to go for it. The division is muddled top to bottom, and they certain have a chance at a playoff spot. With one of the best young catchers in the game, and solid arms, the Jays could be a team to watch out for in September.
Half-empty: I admire the Jays' aggressiveness, but I have to wonder if they have enough talent to push through to the postseason. The outfield in particular is markedly below average. Furthermore, their strengths (in pitching and the infield) don't necessarily play to their home park, where balls travel fast and fly out often.
Player to watch: Francisco Mejia. OSA currently ranks Mejia as the 2nd best catcher in the game, but I think this could be the year where he sets himself atop the league at his position.
3. Detroit Tigers
Half-full: The Tigers acquired one of the biggest names of the offseason, Manny Machado. Furthermore, they worked hard from their system and future draft to fill holes on their major league roster. They have a lot of youth and up-and-comers, and few glaring weaknesses along with a solid defense.
Half-empty: While the Tigers may have few glaring weaknesses, they also have few glaring strengths. Other than Machado, this team lacks star power and is looking to move from a last place finish to a playoff spot. That is a really tall order to accomplish in one offseason.
Player to watch: Barrett Astin. Detroit revamped their rotation and Astin will go into the season as the team's ace. His performance, as well as the entire rotation, may determine this team's outcome.
2. Boston Red Sox
Half-full: Perhaps no team was more active this offseason than the Boston Red Sox. Their starting lineup will look drastically different than the one that took the field in the 2018 World Series. In changing up their team, they also added a lot of room for payroll, upgraded their infield defense, and acquired some good, young talent. Don't ever count this team out. They will eternally be in "win-now" mode.
Half-empty: Some of the offseason moves were puzzling. After spending big bucks to acquire DJ LaMahieu and Josh Donaldson, the BoSox jettisoned Justin Verlander (understandable, considering his salary) and young stud Xander Bogaerts (less understandable). While they were able to find a suitable replacement at SS in Brandon Crawford, one has to wonder if the net outcome of these moves is of any benefit, especially this year.
Player to watch: DJ LaMahieu will play his first season outside of Colorado, but his new park may actually mitigate some of the losses from playing a mile above sea level. However, he will be closely watched to see how his offense and defense travel to a new league and division.
1. New York Yankees
Half-full: The Yankees were decimated by injuries last year, but surprise, surprise: they are healthy again and ready for a World Series run. Top to bottom, they probably have the best rotation in baseball and a ton of depth with their bats. With Aroldis Chapman in their bullpen, it is very difficult to find any weakness with this team.
Half-empty: New York was generally quiet this offseason, and typically that could spell doom for a team. But with all of their injuries in 2018, it may make sense in this case. If this team has any weakness, it is with their defense and the depth of their bullpen. The Yankees may have to ask their starters to stretch their limits and their bats to add a few extra runs. They will be leaving games in which fans will not want to leave early.
Player to watch: Austin Meadows. With age to either side of him, Meadows may be the team's only positive defender in CF this year. He will need to stay healthy and produce with the bat against left-handers to fully utilize his talent in the field.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Half-full:The Orioles finished just a few games out of the wild card last year, and still have some big time talent. They were near the top in the league last year in home runs, and will likely be in a similar position this year. If they get a lead, watch out. Zach Britton is as good as they come. With no clear frontrunner for the division, don't count them out of a playoff spot.
Half-empty: Baltimore lost perhaps the most talented player to change teams in the offseason in Manny Machado. Yes, they got a huge haul for him, But trading a superstar at age 26 within the division is a huge risk. Among the 5 teams in the AL East, the Orioles are the only one to have admitted to going for a "rebuild". Long term, the outlook seems optimistic, but for 2019, it could be a last place finish in a very competitive division.
Player to watch: The entire starting rotation. This group struggled last year, but there is a lot of interesting talent there. If any of them can bounceback, look for some trade value to be gained at a position that is very scarce (SP).
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Half-full: The Blue Jays say they are "all-in" for this year, and this might be a good time to go for it. The division is muddled top to bottom, and they certain have a chance at a playoff spot. With one of the best young catchers in the game, and solid arms, the Jays could be a team to watch out for in September.
Half-empty: I admire the Jays' aggressiveness, but I have to wonder if they have enough talent to push through to the postseason. The outfield in particular is markedly below average. Furthermore, their strengths (in pitching and the infield) don't necessarily play to their home park, where balls travel fast and fly out often.
Player to watch: Francisco Mejia. OSA currently ranks Mejia as the 2nd best catcher in the game, but I think this could be the year where he sets himself atop the league at his position.
3. Detroit Tigers
Half-full: The Tigers acquired one of the biggest names of the offseason, Manny Machado. Furthermore, they worked hard from their system and future draft to fill holes on their major league roster. They have a lot of youth and up-and-comers, and few glaring weaknesses along with a solid defense.
Half-empty: While the Tigers may have few glaring weaknesses, they also have few glaring strengths. Other than Machado, this team lacks star power and is looking to move from a last place finish to a playoff spot. That is a really tall order to accomplish in one offseason.
Player to watch: Barrett Astin. Detroit revamped their rotation and Astin will go into the season as the team's ace. His performance, as well as the entire rotation, may determine this team's outcome.
2. Boston Red Sox
Half-full: Perhaps no team was more active this offseason than the Boston Red Sox. Their starting lineup will look drastically different than the one that took the field in the 2018 World Series. In changing up their team, they also added a lot of room for payroll, upgraded their infield defense, and acquired some good, young talent. Don't ever count this team out. They will eternally be in "win-now" mode.
Half-empty: Some of the offseason moves were puzzling. After spending big bucks to acquire DJ LaMahieu and Josh Donaldson, the BoSox jettisoned Justin Verlander (understandable, considering his salary) and young stud Xander Bogaerts (less understandable). While they were able to find a suitable replacement at SS in Brandon Crawford, one has to wonder if the net outcome of these moves is of any benefit, especially this year.
Player to watch: DJ LaMahieu will play his first season outside of Colorado, but his new park may actually mitigate some of the losses from playing a mile above sea level. However, he will be closely watched to see how his offense and defense travel to a new league and division.
1. New York Yankees
Half-full: The Yankees were decimated by injuries last year, but surprise, surprise: they are healthy again and ready for a World Series run. Top to bottom, they probably have the best rotation in baseball and a ton of depth with their bats. With Aroldis Chapman in their bullpen, it is very difficult to find any weakness with this team.
Half-empty: New York was generally quiet this offseason, and typically that could spell doom for a team. But with all of their injuries in 2018, it may make sense in this case. If this team has any weakness, it is with their defense and the depth of their bullpen. The Yankees may have to ask their starters to stretch their limits and their bats to add a few extra runs. They will be leaving games in which fans will not want to leave early.
Player to watch: Austin Meadows. With age to either side of him, Meadows may be the team's only positive defender in CF this year. He will need to stay healthy and produce with the bat against left-handers to fully utilize his talent in the field.
