Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 9, 2020 10:25:07 GMT -5
The AL East has been a two-team chase at the top the past few seasons, but 2022 saw the division become a three-team division. Toronto, long an incubator of top young talent, saw their prospects develop and lead the team to the World Series. Tampa Bay remained an AL East force, while New York was also ferocious, though injuries sapped their competitiveness. Boston and Baltimore brought up the rear and should continue to do so, but it'll be a fun competition at the top of the division again.
1) Tampa Bay Rays
2022: 96-66, AL East Champion. Defeated Oakland 4-2 in ALDS. Lost to Toronto 4-1 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Tampa Bay had the second best run-prevention in the American League despite the fourth worst zone rating in the AL. Their pitching staff was simply terrific, with four strong starters, a top-flight closer, and excellent relief work all around. The team was second in batting average, but wasn't very powerful, finishing seventh in home runs and sixth in runs. The team's offense went dry in the postseason in a five-game loss to Toronto in the ALCS.
Offseason Review: The team was active in the offseason, moving on from Christian Yelich, Eugenio Suarez, Josh Bell, and Patrick Leonard. They replaced them with Lewin Diaz, Nick Allen, Andrew Toles and Yoan Moncada. J.T. Realmuto was added at Catcher to replace Buster Poser. The replacements aren't power hitters the way the outgoing players were, meaning Tampa Bay is committing even more to its batting average over power approach. It's been a pretty radical makeover, a year after another major makeover, and it hasn't really made Tampa Bay younger or cheaper. If the hitting approach puts more runs on the board, it will have been worth it, though the team lost some good talent. The Rays budget has continued to grow, but it may be maxed at what the small Tampa market can bear.
On the Farm: Tampa Bay's top prospects are teenagers who won't be playing in the majors for a long time. Chris Muchmore is the best mid-tier prospect, a 23-year old Center Fielder in Double-A who could be in the majors as a speed-and-defense Center Fielder in a couple of years. Justin Bellinger can help in a pinch as a low-ceiling power bat. For the most part though, there won't be many internal reinforcements coming Tampa Bay's way.
Best Case Scenario: They're not favorites, but there are certainly timelines where Tampa Bay wins it all.
Worst Case Scenario: Is that, is that the Rangers music I hear?
Key Questions: You don't have as much power as some of the other top AL teams. Do you feel like that's an issue you'll have to solve for?
How do you feel about your depth with this roster?
2) Toronto Blue Jays
2022: 90-72, 2nd Place AL East. Defeated Kansas City in Wild Card Game. Defeated Chicago White Sox 4-2 in ALDS. Defeated Tampa Bay 4-1 in ALCS. Lost to Arizona 4-2 in World Series.
Who They Were: A talented young team, Toronto's young talent developed last season into a team that won the American League. They took a huge leap when they called up Thomas Szapucki and they watched the young ace carry the team through the postseason. The Blue Jays won with the fourth best run prevention in baseball, and excellent plate control, finishing second in walks and second in fewest strikeouts. Their main weakness, was a strange disregard for doubles, as the club finished last in the league by a wide margin.
Offseason Review: Toronto mainly tried to shore up its pitching depth, signing Drew Pomeranz to round out the rotation, and Seth Maness, J.T. Chargois, and Shota Nakazaki to round out a pretty good bullpen. The team lost Carson Smith, necessitating a replacement, and also postseason hero and longtime slugger Rowdy Tellez. After a lost year, the club is hoping Jake Burger can step in and replace Tellez' power.
On the Farm: Despite the first wave of players blossoming, there are still plenty of talented prospects within Toronto's system. Eric Drouet, named Rattlesnake for his lightning quick wrists, may break with the major league team. Estevan Floriel may also find room on the big club for his speed and defense. Raul Beracierta doesn't have the defensive acumen of Floriel, but he plays a good corner, runs well, and is more rounded at the plate. There's also big fish in the lower minors. Federico Pando looks like a classic slugger; Chris Littleton combines a great glove with great legs, and home run power; while Matt Aceto looks like a slugging Third Baseman in an environment of few talented Third Base prospects.
Best Case Scenario: The young hitters continue to develop and the team wins the AL East.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense takes a step back and Toronto wins 85 games.
Key Questions: Will Eric Drouet make the opening day roster?
Adam Eaton had a 128 OPS+ for you last year in 90 games. What will his role be this season?
3) New York Yankees
2022: 85-77, 3rd Place AL East.
Who They Were: Like all Yankees teams, last year's version was a patient powerful bunch that led the league in home runs and was second in runs scored. However, a combination of payroll and injuries left the team's starting staff depleted, and the bullpen was uncharacteristically terrible in the first half. The team went 56-35 in its final 91 games, but a 29-42 start doomed them.
Offseason Review: The team traded Clint Frazier away for depth relievers and grabbed Jesse Biddle to add a depth starter. However, the team is still suffering from major pitching injuries and is under a mandate to shed salary. There's still a ton of offensive talent on the club, but pitching will be a concern.
On the Farm: Hyo-jun Park has good wheels, a good glove, and may be the team's Second Baseman this year. Kevin Maitan and Austin Riley are close to being finished products, earning at bats on the left side of the infielder. The team has infrastructure in place if it needs to deal an infielder to save money. Jim Sattler is about a year away from being the next big Yankees homegrown prospect to make the majors, while Sergio Rodriguez is immensely talented and nowhere close to being ready, making him a prime trade chip in a mega trade.
Best Case Scenario: The team trades a bat, the kids play well, the bullpen is outstanding, and the Yankees win 90 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is one of the worst in the league and the Yankees fall to 83 wins,
Key Questions: Who starts for you guys in Center Field this year?
Who is a better prospect in your eyes, Maitan or Riley?
4) Boston Red Sox
2022: 72-90, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: For the fourth consecutive year, Boston won between 70-72 games, continuing to be a non-factor in the AL East. The team was a mediocre offensive club, a bad defensive team, and an awful pitching unit. The team gave 147 starts to A.J. Pollock for him to provide 0.1 WAR, and 122 games to Eloy Jimenez to follow that up with 0.1 WAR. 23 players threw pitches for Boston, 14 of whom recorded negative WAR.
Offseason Review: Bradley Zimmer and Derek Fisher had decent seasons for Boston last year, and each was allowed to leave in Free Agency. Boston did make some nice moves to add talent though. Joe Musgrove and A.J. Cole should add competence to the rotation, while Raul Mondesi will give the team an offensive boost and some speed. Despite that, it's still a roster designed to win 70-72 games.
On the Farm: The team has accumulated draft picks the past few years, but the team's best prospects are all relief pitchers. Boston needs an infusion of talent among more important positions and has little. Joel McCabe could be a star Shortstop, but is 19 and a world away. Griff Newble could be a good pitcher in time, but again needs to develop. Everyone else is a reliever.
Best Case Scenario: Boston really has its players playing as a unit and wins 72 games.
Worst Case Scenario: Things can't just fire off and Boston wins 70 games.
Key Questions: Chris Berson and J.J. Matiivejic are slated to begin the season in the minors. Why?
Do you feel that Harrison Bader is a good enough defender to start in Center Field for you?
5) Baltimore Orioles
2022: 65-97, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: A 10-2 final kick kept Baltimore from losing 100 games, but they played the entire season after kicking off an extreme rebuild. Virtually everybody on the roster was extremely young and either underdeveloped or under-talented. The team discovered Cole Brannon and Ben Ramirez could hack it after solid rookie seasons as Brannon even won a Gold Glove. Mike Floyd and Jomar Reyes showed promise on the right side of Baltimore's infield as well. The team's pitching was more respectable than the position players, as Nick Vespi and Darwnzon Hernandez soaked up innings, with Cody Anderson providing veteran leadership.
Offseason Review: Baltimore claimed some players on waivers, lost some players waivers, and rearranged some deck chairs—nothing that will speed up or hinder its rebuild. The team continues to look to be undertalented and underdeveloped again.
On the Farm: Baltimore's Major League team doubles as its farm right now, but there are some enticing pitching prospects in its system. Tommy Stanfield may be ready to try and pair with Sam Carlson atop the team's rotation as early as next year, with Jorge Ontiveros and Eric Dusing not far behind. With some exciting relievers in the pipeline as well, Baltimore could have a fun staff before too long. The position players are less exciting. Yasel Antuna could be up in a few years as a glove first Shortstop, and Justin Townes could be a superstar when he debuts in 2029, but there's little in the way of immediate impact bats in the system.
Best Case Scenario: Madman Mike Floyd develops into an MVP candidate to lead Baltimore to 67 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: I mean, nobody is scoring fewer runs than these guys. There's 105 loss potential in this division.
Key Questions: You just signed Roydy Tellez to a contract. Do you expect him to displace Jomar Reyes at First Base?
You claimed Forrest Wall of waivers earlier in the offseason. What made you decide to take him on?
1) Tampa Bay Rays
2022: 96-66, AL East Champion. Defeated Oakland 4-2 in ALDS. Lost to Toronto 4-1 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Tampa Bay had the second best run-prevention in the American League despite the fourth worst zone rating in the AL. Their pitching staff was simply terrific, with four strong starters, a top-flight closer, and excellent relief work all around. The team was second in batting average, but wasn't very powerful, finishing seventh in home runs and sixth in runs. The team's offense went dry in the postseason in a five-game loss to Toronto in the ALCS.
Offseason Review: The team was active in the offseason, moving on from Christian Yelich, Eugenio Suarez, Josh Bell, and Patrick Leonard. They replaced them with Lewin Diaz, Nick Allen, Andrew Toles and Yoan Moncada. J.T. Realmuto was added at Catcher to replace Buster Poser. The replacements aren't power hitters the way the outgoing players were, meaning Tampa Bay is committing even more to its batting average over power approach. It's been a pretty radical makeover, a year after another major makeover, and it hasn't really made Tampa Bay younger or cheaper. If the hitting approach puts more runs on the board, it will have been worth it, though the team lost some good talent. The Rays budget has continued to grow, but it may be maxed at what the small Tampa market can bear.
On the Farm: Tampa Bay's top prospects are teenagers who won't be playing in the majors for a long time. Chris Muchmore is the best mid-tier prospect, a 23-year old Center Fielder in Double-A who could be in the majors as a speed-and-defense Center Fielder in a couple of years. Justin Bellinger can help in a pinch as a low-ceiling power bat. For the most part though, there won't be many internal reinforcements coming Tampa Bay's way.
Best Case Scenario: They're not favorites, but there are certainly timelines where Tampa Bay wins it all.
Worst Case Scenario: Is that, is that the Rangers music I hear?
Key Questions: You don't have as much power as some of the other top AL teams. Do you feel like that's an issue you'll have to solve for?
How do you feel about your depth with this roster?
2) Toronto Blue Jays
2022: 90-72, 2nd Place AL East. Defeated Kansas City in Wild Card Game. Defeated Chicago White Sox 4-2 in ALDS. Defeated Tampa Bay 4-1 in ALCS. Lost to Arizona 4-2 in World Series.
Who They Were: A talented young team, Toronto's young talent developed last season into a team that won the American League. They took a huge leap when they called up Thomas Szapucki and they watched the young ace carry the team through the postseason. The Blue Jays won with the fourth best run prevention in baseball, and excellent plate control, finishing second in walks and second in fewest strikeouts. Their main weakness, was a strange disregard for doubles, as the club finished last in the league by a wide margin.
Offseason Review: Toronto mainly tried to shore up its pitching depth, signing Drew Pomeranz to round out the rotation, and Seth Maness, J.T. Chargois, and Shota Nakazaki to round out a pretty good bullpen. The team lost Carson Smith, necessitating a replacement, and also postseason hero and longtime slugger Rowdy Tellez. After a lost year, the club is hoping Jake Burger can step in and replace Tellez' power.
On the Farm: Despite the first wave of players blossoming, there are still plenty of talented prospects within Toronto's system. Eric Drouet, named Rattlesnake for his lightning quick wrists, may break with the major league team. Estevan Floriel may also find room on the big club for his speed and defense. Raul Beracierta doesn't have the defensive acumen of Floriel, but he plays a good corner, runs well, and is more rounded at the plate. There's also big fish in the lower minors. Federico Pando looks like a classic slugger; Chris Littleton combines a great glove with great legs, and home run power; while Matt Aceto looks like a slugging Third Baseman in an environment of few talented Third Base prospects.
Best Case Scenario: The young hitters continue to develop and the team wins the AL East.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense takes a step back and Toronto wins 85 games.
Key Questions: Will Eric Drouet make the opening day roster?
Adam Eaton had a 128 OPS+ for you last year in 90 games. What will his role be this season?
3) New York Yankees
2022: 85-77, 3rd Place AL East.
Who They Were: Like all Yankees teams, last year's version was a patient powerful bunch that led the league in home runs and was second in runs scored. However, a combination of payroll and injuries left the team's starting staff depleted, and the bullpen was uncharacteristically terrible in the first half. The team went 56-35 in its final 91 games, but a 29-42 start doomed them.
Offseason Review: The team traded Clint Frazier away for depth relievers and grabbed Jesse Biddle to add a depth starter. However, the team is still suffering from major pitching injuries and is under a mandate to shed salary. There's still a ton of offensive talent on the club, but pitching will be a concern.
On the Farm: Hyo-jun Park has good wheels, a good glove, and may be the team's Second Baseman this year. Kevin Maitan and Austin Riley are close to being finished products, earning at bats on the left side of the infielder. The team has infrastructure in place if it needs to deal an infielder to save money. Jim Sattler is about a year away from being the next big Yankees homegrown prospect to make the majors, while Sergio Rodriguez is immensely talented and nowhere close to being ready, making him a prime trade chip in a mega trade.
Best Case Scenario: The team trades a bat, the kids play well, the bullpen is outstanding, and the Yankees win 90 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is one of the worst in the league and the Yankees fall to 83 wins,
Key Questions: Who starts for you guys in Center Field this year?
Who is a better prospect in your eyes, Maitan or Riley?
4) Boston Red Sox
2022: 72-90, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: For the fourth consecutive year, Boston won between 70-72 games, continuing to be a non-factor in the AL East. The team was a mediocre offensive club, a bad defensive team, and an awful pitching unit. The team gave 147 starts to A.J. Pollock for him to provide 0.1 WAR, and 122 games to Eloy Jimenez to follow that up with 0.1 WAR. 23 players threw pitches for Boston, 14 of whom recorded negative WAR.
Offseason Review: Bradley Zimmer and Derek Fisher had decent seasons for Boston last year, and each was allowed to leave in Free Agency. Boston did make some nice moves to add talent though. Joe Musgrove and A.J. Cole should add competence to the rotation, while Raul Mondesi will give the team an offensive boost and some speed. Despite that, it's still a roster designed to win 70-72 games.
On the Farm: The team has accumulated draft picks the past few years, but the team's best prospects are all relief pitchers. Boston needs an infusion of talent among more important positions and has little. Joel McCabe could be a star Shortstop, but is 19 and a world away. Griff Newble could be a good pitcher in time, but again needs to develop. Everyone else is a reliever.
Best Case Scenario: Boston really has its players playing as a unit and wins 72 games.
Worst Case Scenario: Things can't just fire off and Boston wins 70 games.
Key Questions: Chris Berson and J.J. Matiivejic are slated to begin the season in the minors. Why?
Do you feel that Harrison Bader is a good enough defender to start in Center Field for you?
5) Baltimore Orioles
2022: 65-97, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: A 10-2 final kick kept Baltimore from losing 100 games, but they played the entire season after kicking off an extreme rebuild. Virtually everybody on the roster was extremely young and either underdeveloped or under-talented. The team discovered Cole Brannon and Ben Ramirez could hack it after solid rookie seasons as Brannon even won a Gold Glove. Mike Floyd and Jomar Reyes showed promise on the right side of Baltimore's infield as well. The team's pitching was more respectable than the position players, as Nick Vespi and Darwnzon Hernandez soaked up innings, with Cody Anderson providing veteran leadership.
Offseason Review: Baltimore claimed some players on waivers, lost some players waivers, and rearranged some deck chairs—nothing that will speed up or hinder its rebuild. The team continues to look to be undertalented and underdeveloped again.
On the Farm: Baltimore's Major League team doubles as its farm right now, but there are some enticing pitching prospects in its system. Tommy Stanfield may be ready to try and pair with Sam Carlson atop the team's rotation as early as next year, with Jorge Ontiveros and Eric Dusing not far behind. With some exciting relievers in the pipeline as well, Baltimore could have a fun staff before too long. The position players are less exciting. Yasel Antuna could be up in a few years as a glove first Shortstop, and Justin Townes could be a superstar when he debuts in 2029, but there's little in the way of immediate impact bats in the system.
Best Case Scenario: Madman Mike Floyd develops into an MVP candidate to lead Baltimore to 67 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: I mean, nobody is scoring fewer runs than these guys. There's 105 loss potential in this division.
Key Questions: You just signed Roydy Tellez to a contract. Do you expect him to displace Jomar Reyes at First Base?
You claimed Forrest Wall of waivers earlier in the offseason. What made you decide to take him on?