Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 3, 2021 12:27:07 GMT -5
The AL East is very deep, with four good teams, and the Yankees soon to exit the worst of their financial issues. The 2027 season will be a fascinating one, both for who emerges as a playoff team, and who sets themselves up best for long-term success.
1) Baltimore Orioles
2026: 95-67, AL East Champions: Defeated Kansas City 4-2 in ALDS. Defeated Houston 4-0 in ALCS. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 in World Series
Who They Were: While the tempered run environment made them less scary than a season prior, the 2026 Orioles were an offensive powerhouse, leading the league in home runs and finishing fourth in runs. Their batting average fell to seventh though, and they hit 62 fewer home runs than in 2025 despite still leading the league. Joe DeCarlo and Francisco DeJesus struggled to hit for average, and home runs totals that were previously in the 50s and 60s fell to the 40s. The pitching staff moved into the upper echelon to offset the second worst zone rating in the league.
Offseason Review: The Orioles didn’t make many moves this offseason. They lost Alex Reyes, replacing him with Andy Buzzell, which may be a decent move. They balanced their roster a little bit by letting Joe DeCarlo walk in free agency, but they still have a number of corner infield and designated hitter types. Mike Floyd returns to Second Base, Yunior Severino heads to Shortstop, and Jeremiah Jackson looks to provide some infield defense by slotting in at Shortstop.
On The Farm: It’s not a great system, but the talent that is there is close to being major league ready. Closer prospects Dan Farris and Devasarasa Lalitesh have done very well in the low minors and should move quickly, while Jeremy Archuleta looks like the next big power bat. Andy Hartley is another reliever on the doorstep, while Nigel McKee is another low minors arm that should move quickly.
Best Case Scenario: Baltimore ends the Dodgers mini-dynasty.
Worst Case Scenario: The declining run environment emphasizes defense even more, and the Orioles fall short there.
Key Questions: Andy Buzzell had a rough year last year. Why did you go out and acquire him?
You moved Yunior Severino to Third Base. Do you think he can hit enough to be a weapon there?
2) Boston Red Sox
2026: 86-76, 2nd Place AL East
Who They Were: Boston came out of nowhere to have the first winning season in their history. Boston was third in on-base percentage and doubles, with three players producing at least 3.5 WAR despite not hitting 20 home runs. The pitching staff wasn’t spectacular, but it was fourth in strikeouts with Holden Christian, Pete Daley, and Andy Deshaw proving a formidable trio.
Offseason Review: The Red Sox lost a chunk of their outfield from last year, with veterans Trent Clark, and Blake Rutherford left to becoming free agents. Youngsters Juan Inzunza, Joe Taylor, and Luis Villareal will step in to be the new outfield. Andres Gimenez will take over as the club’s Shortstop, replacing Yomar Valentin, with Keibert Ruiz the new Catcher over Logan Ice. The rotation got a big upgrade with Marcus Stroman coming on to be the anchor, replacing the departing Holden Christian.
On The Farm: Boston has eight players in the Top 100. Most are a long ways away, but Boston can hold on to them for the future, or deal them to make a play for the division. Joel McCabe is the player who will likely be a starting player next year. He’s a solid Second Baseman trying to get reps at Shortstop in the minors. He has a great bat and approach and should be a star. Alan Medina is the biggest prospect though, with huge power potential. He tore up Short-A last year, but is only 20 years old and needs some time. Boston’s best prospects are position players, but Jeff Pigg is a good looking pitcher. Armed with a plus sinker, slider, and changeup, he should make the majors once he harnesses his control.
Best Case Scenario: Mike Ball wins a World Series his second year with a team for the second time.
Worst Case Scenario: It’s not a great offense, and the team could stumble to an 84-win season in a tough division.
Key Questions: You went on a signing spree late in Spring Training. Why so many big moves so late?
Do you believe Gadget Inzuna is ready to be a starting Center Fielder?
3) Toronto Blue Jays
2026: 83-79, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: Toronto was a solid club, but a 23-32 record in one-run game, and a 33-48 road record doomed them to fourth in the division. Jahmai Jones and Jake Burger hit their fewest home runs since 2022. Vladimir Guerrero had his fewest home runs since 2021. Thomas Szapucki missed time with back injuries. With Toronto’s best guys underperforming or on the IL, they couldn’t keep pace with Baltimore and the upstarts.
Offseason Review: Toronto’s biggest move was losing one of its two best pitchers, T.J. Zeuch, to free agency. Zeuch had been a pillar for the Blue Jays and will look to be replaced by Franklyn Kilome, and Adonis Medina. That should be a step back. Gator Jacobsen and Anderson A. Tejada should provide depth, but Toronto is already deep. Toronto will hope its veterans return to form, and their young staff takes a step forward.
On The Farm: Toronto has one of the worst farms in the league, with very few good-looking players close to the majors. They have a few interesting arms in the lower minors as Alex Torres is a Top 100 prospect in High-A and Melvin Perez is an exciting arm in rookie ball. Torres is a bit older though and still has major control issues, and Perez is a 19-year-old who needs a lot more time. Toronto will need to look elsewhere for impactful players.
Best Case Scenario: Guerrero Jr. and Burger start smashing again.
Worst Case Scenario: Szapucki enters a decline phase and the staff is bad.
Key Questions: Between Dave Bounds, German Marquez, Franklyn Kilome, and Triston Casas, you have a bunch of starting arms that really struggled last year. Do you feel you can depend on your staff in 2027?
Eric Walker looked great last year. Do you have any inclination to give him more at bats?
4) Tampa Bay Rays
2026: 84-78, 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The Rays dominated at home, going 50-31 at Tropicana Field to win 84 games on the year. The pitching and defense were better than the offense, but a breakout year from Heliot Ramos, a rebound from Christian Aaroyo, and a continued second act resurgence for Lewin Diaz made things respectable. After winning 75 or 76 games for three years, the Rays were revitalized being back in a playoff race.
Offseason Review: The Rays will have mostly the same team as last year. Sean Newcomb comes on as a maybe starter/maybe reliever and should be a slight upgrade on Sixto Sanchez who was in a similar role last year. Logan Ice replaces Bruce Maxwell in the Catcher rotation.
On The Farm: Tampa Bay has never bottomed out, and sometimes needs to trade assets to attract talent, so the cupboard is bare. The team doesn’t have a single Top 100 prospect, and doesn’t have any players that look like future starters, or even a closer. The one saving grace is that the Rays do have depth pieces in the upper minors, with a number of arms that can serve as depth pieces as early as this year.
Best Case Scenario: The Rays win 86 games.
Worst Case Scenario: A fourth of five seasons with 75 or 76 wins.
Key Questions: Garrett Mitchell was in the minors all of last season. Will he be your starting Center Fielder this year?
Justin Williams was de-emphasized last year, only playing 81 games. What role will he have this year?
5) New York Yankees
2026: 72-90, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: With a number of veterans on expiring deals or simply expired, New York struggled to 90 losses. Injuries zapped their top prospects and their staff was horrendous. The team won in the 70s because some blowout wins allowed them to overperform their Pythagorean record by nine games for the second straight year. The team was sixth in extra base hits and third in steals, and they did have some hitters who could mash or run—namely Gleyber Torres who hit 37 doubles, 23 homers, and stole 13 bags.
Offseason Review: The Yankees are starting to get their finances better for their rebuild. They’ve picked up some buy low projects. Sonny Gray will be back after a season of injury, while Luis Contreras will come aboard and try to hack it as a starter after failing in that task with Chicago. Blake Rutherford will add talent to the lineup and Bobby Wahl will give the bullpen a weapon. The Yankees still have bad contracts, poor defense, and a poor staff but they should have their finances well in order for 2028.
On The Farm: The Yankees best prospects have reached the majors. They don’t have a deep farm, but have some explosive talents. First and foremost is Top 10 Prospect Angelo Santiago. The Center Fielder has a great bat, big power, and huge speed. He’s a few years away, but is a potential All-Star. Farther away is Bill Gomez, aleft-handed pitcher. Gomez throws hard and has a devastating splitter. If the changeup comes along, he’s an ace. Tso-I Zhao doesn’t have quite the upside of Santiago, but he’s another potential impact Center Fielder as a speedster with a great glove and huge power.
Best Case Scenario: Bob Allison holds up, the offense produces, and the team wins 81 high scoring games.
Worst Case Scenario: A bad staff spends all year on the IL
Key Questions: Bob Allison is slated to start in Center Field. Do you think he can hold up offensively?
You gave a big contract to Bobby Wahl. Why did you target him in free agency?
1) Baltimore Orioles
2026: 95-67, AL East Champions: Defeated Kansas City 4-2 in ALDS. Defeated Houston 4-0 in ALCS. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 in World Series
Who They Were: While the tempered run environment made them less scary than a season prior, the 2026 Orioles were an offensive powerhouse, leading the league in home runs and finishing fourth in runs. Their batting average fell to seventh though, and they hit 62 fewer home runs than in 2025 despite still leading the league. Joe DeCarlo and Francisco DeJesus struggled to hit for average, and home runs totals that were previously in the 50s and 60s fell to the 40s. The pitching staff moved into the upper echelon to offset the second worst zone rating in the league.
Offseason Review: The Orioles didn’t make many moves this offseason. They lost Alex Reyes, replacing him with Andy Buzzell, which may be a decent move. They balanced their roster a little bit by letting Joe DeCarlo walk in free agency, but they still have a number of corner infield and designated hitter types. Mike Floyd returns to Second Base, Yunior Severino heads to Shortstop, and Jeremiah Jackson looks to provide some infield defense by slotting in at Shortstop.
On The Farm: It’s not a great system, but the talent that is there is close to being major league ready. Closer prospects Dan Farris and Devasarasa Lalitesh have done very well in the low minors and should move quickly, while Jeremy Archuleta looks like the next big power bat. Andy Hartley is another reliever on the doorstep, while Nigel McKee is another low minors arm that should move quickly.
Best Case Scenario: Baltimore ends the Dodgers mini-dynasty.
Worst Case Scenario: The declining run environment emphasizes defense even more, and the Orioles fall short there.
Key Questions: Andy Buzzell had a rough year last year. Why did you go out and acquire him?
You moved Yunior Severino to Third Base. Do you think he can hit enough to be a weapon there?
2) Boston Red Sox
2026: 86-76, 2nd Place AL East
Who They Were: Boston came out of nowhere to have the first winning season in their history. Boston was third in on-base percentage and doubles, with three players producing at least 3.5 WAR despite not hitting 20 home runs. The pitching staff wasn’t spectacular, but it was fourth in strikeouts with Holden Christian, Pete Daley, and Andy Deshaw proving a formidable trio.
Offseason Review: The Red Sox lost a chunk of their outfield from last year, with veterans Trent Clark, and Blake Rutherford left to becoming free agents. Youngsters Juan Inzunza, Joe Taylor, and Luis Villareal will step in to be the new outfield. Andres Gimenez will take over as the club’s Shortstop, replacing Yomar Valentin, with Keibert Ruiz the new Catcher over Logan Ice. The rotation got a big upgrade with Marcus Stroman coming on to be the anchor, replacing the departing Holden Christian.
On The Farm: Boston has eight players in the Top 100. Most are a long ways away, but Boston can hold on to them for the future, or deal them to make a play for the division. Joel McCabe is the player who will likely be a starting player next year. He’s a solid Second Baseman trying to get reps at Shortstop in the minors. He has a great bat and approach and should be a star. Alan Medina is the biggest prospect though, with huge power potential. He tore up Short-A last year, but is only 20 years old and needs some time. Boston’s best prospects are position players, but Jeff Pigg is a good looking pitcher. Armed with a plus sinker, slider, and changeup, he should make the majors once he harnesses his control.
Best Case Scenario: Mike Ball wins a World Series his second year with a team for the second time.
Worst Case Scenario: It’s not a great offense, and the team could stumble to an 84-win season in a tough division.
Key Questions: You went on a signing spree late in Spring Training. Why so many big moves so late?
Do you believe Gadget Inzuna is ready to be a starting Center Fielder?
3) Toronto Blue Jays
2026: 83-79, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: Toronto was a solid club, but a 23-32 record in one-run game, and a 33-48 road record doomed them to fourth in the division. Jahmai Jones and Jake Burger hit their fewest home runs since 2022. Vladimir Guerrero had his fewest home runs since 2021. Thomas Szapucki missed time with back injuries. With Toronto’s best guys underperforming or on the IL, they couldn’t keep pace with Baltimore and the upstarts.
Offseason Review: Toronto’s biggest move was losing one of its two best pitchers, T.J. Zeuch, to free agency. Zeuch had been a pillar for the Blue Jays and will look to be replaced by Franklyn Kilome, and Adonis Medina. That should be a step back. Gator Jacobsen and Anderson A. Tejada should provide depth, but Toronto is already deep. Toronto will hope its veterans return to form, and their young staff takes a step forward.
On The Farm: Toronto has one of the worst farms in the league, with very few good-looking players close to the majors. They have a few interesting arms in the lower minors as Alex Torres is a Top 100 prospect in High-A and Melvin Perez is an exciting arm in rookie ball. Torres is a bit older though and still has major control issues, and Perez is a 19-year-old who needs a lot more time. Toronto will need to look elsewhere for impactful players.
Best Case Scenario: Guerrero Jr. and Burger start smashing again.
Worst Case Scenario: Szapucki enters a decline phase and the staff is bad.
Key Questions: Between Dave Bounds, German Marquez, Franklyn Kilome, and Triston Casas, you have a bunch of starting arms that really struggled last year. Do you feel you can depend on your staff in 2027?
Eric Walker looked great last year. Do you have any inclination to give him more at bats?
4) Tampa Bay Rays
2026: 84-78, 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The Rays dominated at home, going 50-31 at Tropicana Field to win 84 games on the year. The pitching and defense were better than the offense, but a breakout year from Heliot Ramos, a rebound from Christian Aaroyo, and a continued second act resurgence for Lewin Diaz made things respectable. After winning 75 or 76 games for three years, the Rays were revitalized being back in a playoff race.
Offseason Review: The Rays will have mostly the same team as last year. Sean Newcomb comes on as a maybe starter/maybe reliever and should be a slight upgrade on Sixto Sanchez who was in a similar role last year. Logan Ice replaces Bruce Maxwell in the Catcher rotation.
On The Farm: Tampa Bay has never bottomed out, and sometimes needs to trade assets to attract talent, so the cupboard is bare. The team doesn’t have a single Top 100 prospect, and doesn’t have any players that look like future starters, or even a closer. The one saving grace is that the Rays do have depth pieces in the upper minors, with a number of arms that can serve as depth pieces as early as this year.
Best Case Scenario: The Rays win 86 games.
Worst Case Scenario: A fourth of five seasons with 75 or 76 wins.
Key Questions: Garrett Mitchell was in the minors all of last season. Will he be your starting Center Fielder this year?
Justin Williams was de-emphasized last year, only playing 81 games. What role will he have this year?
5) New York Yankees
2026: 72-90, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: With a number of veterans on expiring deals or simply expired, New York struggled to 90 losses. Injuries zapped their top prospects and their staff was horrendous. The team won in the 70s because some blowout wins allowed them to overperform their Pythagorean record by nine games for the second straight year. The team was sixth in extra base hits and third in steals, and they did have some hitters who could mash or run—namely Gleyber Torres who hit 37 doubles, 23 homers, and stole 13 bags.
Offseason Review: The Yankees are starting to get their finances better for their rebuild. They’ve picked up some buy low projects. Sonny Gray will be back after a season of injury, while Luis Contreras will come aboard and try to hack it as a starter after failing in that task with Chicago. Blake Rutherford will add talent to the lineup and Bobby Wahl will give the bullpen a weapon. The Yankees still have bad contracts, poor defense, and a poor staff but they should have their finances well in order for 2028.
On The Farm: The Yankees best prospects have reached the majors. They don’t have a deep farm, but have some explosive talents. First and foremost is Top 10 Prospect Angelo Santiago. The Center Fielder has a great bat, big power, and huge speed. He’s a few years away, but is a potential All-Star. Farther away is Bill Gomez, aleft-handed pitcher. Gomez throws hard and has a devastating splitter. If the changeup comes along, he’s an ace. Tso-I Zhao doesn’t have quite the upside of Santiago, but he’s another potential impact Center Fielder as a speedster with a great glove and huge power.
Best Case Scenario: Bob Allison holds up, the offense produces, and the team wins 81 high scoring games.
Worst Case Scenario: A bad staff spends all year on the IL
Key Questions: Bob Allison is slated to start in Center Field. Do you think he can hold up offensively?
You gave a big contract to Bobby Wahl. Why did you target him in free agency?
