Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 30, 2023 10:58:27 GMT -5
The AL East is one of the league's strongest divisions with four teams harboring legitimate playoff hopes. Boston is still the favorite, and also has a championship-caliber roster, but they'll have to survive The Curse Of The Ballbino to do playoff damage
1) Boston Red Sox
2029: 108-54, AL East Champions. Lost to Baltimore 4-1 in ALDS.
Who They Were: The Red Sox were a regular season colossus, winning over 100 games and an AL East title for the third straight year. They were a deep team with all nine position players who played 100 games producing an OPS+ over 100, and three starting pitchers with ERAs under 4. Of course, Mike Ball is cursed, so they lost in the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Gone is Juan Gestoso, who produced 3.4 WAR but somehow still disappointed. Freudis Nova also departed in free agency, along with some backups and relievers. Osiris German and Viashi Buzoku are on to provide more firepower to a deep bullpen. Rafael Devers reunites with Ball from their White Sox days, and Jim Dathe is the new backup Catcher. It’s still a very deep team.
On The Farm: Despite being so good recently, Boston still has an elite farm. Alan Medina may start off the bench or in a reduced role, but he’ll likely break camp with the team as a future corner infield mega slugger. John Lacy is an outfielder who may need another year, but may be able to provide outfield power quickly. Mackenzie Nicoll is a righty slugger who should debut this year and will be a starting First Baseman in short order. Fingers Winship is the team’s best prospect, a future number two starter, but he's aways away and could be used as a trade chit to bring in PBA talent.
Best Case Scenario: A curse is lifted in Boston.
Worst Case Scenario: They get swept in the ALDS by an 84-win second wild card.
Key Questions: Freudis Nova really was an asset with Joel McCabe struggling to defend at Shortstop. Are you worried with your infield defense with McCabe back at Shortstop?
You have aging Hall-of-Famer Rafael Devers, undercooked top prospect Alan Medina, and versatile super sub Joe Taylor listed as Third Basemen. Who is the starter?
2) Baltimore Orioles
2029: 96-66, 2nd Place AL East. Defeated Kansas City in AL Wild Card. Defeated Boston 4-1 in ALDS. Lost to Cleveland 4-0 in ALCS.
Who They Were: The Orioles were an offensive monster again, finishing second in runs, first in average, and second in OPS, though they did it in a different way than classic Orioles teams as they were only ninth in homers. Seven regulars hit at least .274 and all their main players hit at least .265. The constant stream of hits led to a constant stream of runs. Their staff was their best in the PBA era as well with all five rotation spots performing well, an elite stopper in Luis Ortiz in the pen, and the second best overall bullpen ERA in the league.
Offseason Review: Baltimore lost Tommy Stanfield from its staff, Dave Simon from its pen, and Luis Paez as their Third Baseman. Luis Ortega should be able to step in to a rotation spot, but it’s a question if he’ll perform better than Stanfield did. Nick Gordon took last year off and was brought in to play Third Base, but it’s a question as to how effective he’ll be.
On The Farm: The Orioles farm skews pitching-heavy with future mid-rotation arms Tim Longo and Fernando Arellano in the upper minors. Each will likely be ready to contribute to next year’s team. There isn’t a single first-division position player in the system, making it tough for Baltimore to reinforce from within.
Best Case Scenario: Baltimore makes it back to the ALCS.
Worst Case Scenario: The hitters are a little older, the pitching depth a little worse, and Toronto catches them for second.
Key Questions: You didn’t replace the loss of Stanfield. Why?
It’s a bit weird for a Baltimore team, but your offense doesn’t have a lot of power, especially since Wessel Russchen misses time periodically. Do you expect your offense will remain elite?
3) Toronto Blue Jays
2029: 85-77: 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The 2028 AL Champion, Toronto shed some money in 2028, shed some more in 2029, and had a slight step back last year. The team clubbed 231 homers, tops in the AL, but didn’t hit for average and didn’t get a lot from their staff. Three of the team’s players with double-digit homers were 24-years-old or younger, so there’s room for growth with young talent, but the team lacked depth behind some top-end talent.
Offseason Review: The Blue Jays will have to replace Hall-of-Fame Catcher Gary Sanchez, as well as his backup Cal Raleigh. Blake Hunt will get the first crack as a more defensive-minded option. Devin Ortiz is back to replace Dakota Hudson. Yoelkis Cespedes provides a right-handed bat off the bench.
On The Farm: Tim Butler is a good-looking hitter with a good eye, a quick bat, and poor Catching skills that will likely facilitate a trip out from behind the plate. He’s a few years away, as is Sherriff Norbert Kuik, who is quick on the bases, in the outfield, and to a pitch in the vicinity of the zone. The Center Fielder looks like a future starter, but it only 20. Chris’ Frude and Widener are 21 and 19 respectively and both profile as starting pitchers. Each is tall and gets good downward plane, though will need a few years of development.
Best Case Scenario: Toronto faces Kansas City in a Wild Card game, setting up a matchup with Boston in the ALDS.
Worst Case Scenario: The team is relying on high-end veterans to continue producing, or prospects to continue progressing. If either of those aspects fail, the division will drag Toronto to 87 losses.
Key Questions: Your team relied a lot on Gary Sanchez the last few years. How will you replace his production?
Who will start at Second Base this year and why?
4) New York Yankees
2029: 75-87, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: Amazingly, the Yankees have either won in the 70s or had a run differential in the 70s for six years in a row now. The team was competitive last year, the fourth straight year of a better run differential than the season prior, but the staff continued to do the team in. Yushi Harada was strong in his first healthy season with the club, and midseason acquisition Darwinzon Hernandez really stabilized the staff. Key offensive veterans performed well, but there were still too many holes in the lineup. Importantly, youngsters Bob Allison and Angelo Santiago showed progress and continue to hint at bright futures.
Offseason Review: New York really focused on upgrading its staff. They lost Darwinzon Hernandez in free agency, but brought aboard another former Oriole to replace him in Tommy Stanfield. Jeff Henry was also acquired, giving the Yankees their deepest starting rotation in nearly a decade. Bonkers Carrizales and Ryan DiSibio were signed to give the Yankees a ferocious bullpen. Blake Rutherford and Adam Haseley were allowed to leave in free agency, opening up more time for Allison, Mark Ward, and Jason Simmons. There’s less proven talent on the club as a result, and the remaining veterans are a little bit old and rickety, where either production dropped off for them last year, or could happen at any time.
On The Farm: Despite not bottoming out, nor ever really selling veterans for prospects, the Yankees have maintained a good farm. Third Baseman Justin Campbell is a jewel. Patient and powerful, he looks like a future all-star though he still needs minor-league seasoning. Skyler Nash is a couple of years away, but looks like a future rotation stalwart. Verna Maya and “The Natural,” Kevin Carson, look like future rotation pieces many years from now as well. Mario Custudio doesn’t have the upside, but could be a back-end rotation piece as soon as this year. With options, the Yankees can deal from strength if they’re in a race this year.
Best Case Scenario: Another year of gradual improvements could see the Yankees on the fringes of a playoff race.
Worst Case Scenario: Yunior Severino, Shane Shifflett, and Livan Soto formed an S-club of hitters with an OPS that began with a 6 or lower last year. If they can’t become OPS-club 7, the offense may be doomed to another year with mid-70s wins.
5) Tampa Bay Rays
2029: 67-95, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: Tampa Bay fielded well and pitched pretty well, but an anemic offense left them starved for wins. They were fortunate not to lose 100 games for the second straight year. They didn’t have a single player with more than 19 homers, and only one pitcher had more than 2.0 WAR. That being said, a strong defense helped the staff punch far above its weight class, keeping the team very respectable.
Offseason Review: The combination of a rough budget, new management, and fungible talent led to a bit of a housecleaning. Four of the team’s nine position players with 0.9 WAR last year have been sent along, with younger cost-controlled players allowed to stay. The same process was used on the staff. Blayne Enlow was brought aboard with a chance to start, with the rest of the open spots on the team going to budget veterans competing with Quad-A types as the team looks to keep costs down.
On The Farm: For a team in Tampa Bay’s position, it’s a dire farm. The team doesn’t have a single Top 100 prospect, nor do they even have much depth pieces. The Rays do have seven picks in the first three rounds to try to rebuild their organization, but Jimmy Wood has his work cut out for him.
Best Case Scenario: 2029—remixed.
Worst Case Scenario: The Rays could lose 110 games if the defense falters.
Key Questions: There’s a lot of work needed to build up Tampa Bay’s talent base, not just in the majors, but in the minors as well. How do you plan on getting more talent into the system?
Blayne Enlow has never started in the PBA. Why did you give him a 7-figure contract to start for you?
1) Boston Red Sox
2029: 108-54, AL East Champions. Lost to Baltimore 4-1 in ALDS.
Who They Were: The Red Sox were a regular season colossus, winning over 100 games and an AL East title for the third straight year. They were a deep team with all nine position players who played 100 games producing an OPS+ over 100, and three starting pitchers with ERAs under 4. Of course, Mike Ball is cursed, so they lost in the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Gone is Juan Gestoso, who produced 3.4 WAR but somehow still disappointed. Freudis Nova also departed in free agency, along with some backups and relievers. Osiris German and Viashi Buzoku are on to provide more firepower to a deep bullpen. Rafael Devers reunites with Ball from their White Sox days, and Jim Dathe is the new backup Catcher. It’s still a very deep team.
On The Farm: Despite being so good recently, Boston still has an elite farm. Alan Medina may start off the bench or in a reduced role, but he’ll likely break camp with the team as a future corner infield mega slugger. John Lacy is an outfielder who may need another year, but may be able to provide outfield power quickly. Mackenzie Nicoll is a righty slugger who should debut this year and will be a starting First Baseman in short order. Fingers Winship is the team’s best prospect, a future number two starter, but he's aways away and could be used as a trade chit to bring in PBA talent.
Best Case Scenario: A curse is lifted in Boston.
Worst Case Scenario: They get swept in the ALDS by an 84-win second wild card.
Key Questions: Freudis Nova really was an asset with Joel McCabe struggling to defend at Shortstop. Are you worried with your infield defense with McCabe back at Shortstop?
You have aging Hall-of-Famer Rafael Devers, undercooked top prospect Alan Medina, and versatile super sub Joe Taylor listed as Third Basemen. Who is the starter?
2) Baltimore Orioles
2029: 96-66, 2nd Place AL East. Defeated Kansas City in AL Wild Card. Defeated Boston 4-1 in ALDS. Lost to Cleveland 4-0 in ALCS.
Who They Were: The Orioles were an offensive monster again, finishing second in runs, first in average, and second in OPS, though they did it in a different way than classic Orioles teams as they were only ninth in homers. Seven regulars hit at least .274 and all their main players hit at least .265. The constant stream of hits led to a constant stream of runs. Their staff was their best in the PBA era as well with all five rotation spots performing well, an elite stopper in Luis Ortiz in the pen, and the second best overall bullpen ERA in the league.
Offseason Review: Baltimore lost Tommy Stanfield from its staff, Dave Simon from its pen, and Luis Paez as their Third Baseman. Luis Ortega should be able to step in to a rotation spot, but it’s a question if he’ll perform better than Stanfield did. Nick Gordon took last year off and was brought in to play Third Base, but it’s a question as to how effective he’ll be.
On The Farm: The Orioles farm skews pitching-heavy with future mid-rotation arms Tim Longo and Fernando Arellano in the upper minors. Each will likely be ready to contribute to next year’s team. There isn’t a single first-division position player in the system, making it tough for Baltimore to reinforce from within.
Best Case Scenario: Baltimore makes it back to the ALCS.
Worst Case Scenario: The hitters are a little older, the pitching depth a little worse, and Toronto catches them for second.
Key Questions: You didn’t replace the loss of Stanfield. Why?
It’s a bit weird for a Baltimore team, but your offense doesn’t have a lot of power, especially since Wessel Russchen misses time periodically. Do you expect your offense will remain elite?
3) Toronto Blue Jays
2029: 85-77: 3rd Place AL East
Who They Were: The 2028 AL Champion, Toronto shed some money in 2028, shed some more in 2029, and had a slight step back last year. The team clubbed 231 homers, tops in the AL, but didn’t hit for average and didn’t get a lot from their staff. Three of the team’s players with double-digit homers were 24-years-old or younger, so there’s room for growth with young talent, but the team lacked depth behind some top-end talent.
Offseason Review: The Blue Jays will have to replace Hall-of-Fame Catcher Gary Sanchez, as well as his backup Cal Raleigh. Blake Hunt will get the first crack as a more defensive-minded option. Devin Ortiz is back to replace Dakota Hudson. Yoelkis Cespedes provides a right-handed bat off the bench.
On The Farm: Tim Butler is a good-looking hitter with a good eye, a quick bat, and poor Catching skills that will likely facilitate a trip out from behind the plate. He’s a few years away, as is Sherriff Norbert Kuik, who is quick on the bases, in the outfield, and to a pitch in the vicinity of the zone. The Center Fielder looks like a future starter, but it only 20. Chris’ Frude and Widener are 21 and 19 respectively and both profile as starting pitchers. Each is tall and gets good downward plane, though will need a few years of development.
Best Case Scenario: Toronto faces Kansas City in a Wild Card game, setting up a matchup with Boston in the ALDS.
Worst Case Scenario: The team is relying on high-end veterans to continue producing, or prospects to continue progressing. If either of those aspects fail, the division will drag Toronto to 87 losses.
Key Questions: Your team relied a lot on Gary Sanchez the last few years. How will you replace his production?
Who will start at Second Base this year and why?
4) New York Yankees
2029: 75-87, 4th Place AL East
Who They Were: Amazingly, the Yankees have either won in the 70s or had a run differential in the 70s for six years in a row now. The team was competitive last year, the fourth straight year of a better run differential than the season prior, but the staff continued to do the team in. Yushi Harada was strong in his first healthy season with the club, and midseason acquisition Darwinzon Hernandez really stabilized the staff. Key offensive veterans performed well, but there were still too many holes in the lineup. Importantly, youngsters Bob Allison and Angelo Santiago showed progress and continue to hint at bright futures.
Offseason Review: New York really focused on upgrading its staff. They lost Darwinzon Hernandez in free agency, but brought aboard another former Oriole to replace him in Tommy Stanfield. Jeff Henry was also acquired, giving the Yankees their deepest starting rotation in nearly a decade. Bonkers Carrizales and Ryan DiSibio were signed to give the Yankees a ferocious bullpen. Blake Rutherford and Adam Haseley were allowed to leave in free agency, opening up more time for Allison, Mark Ward, and Jason Simmons. There’s less proven talent on the club as a result, and the remaining veterans are a little bit old and rickety, where either production dropped off for them last year, or could happen at any time.
On The Farm: Despite not bottoming out, nor ever really selling veterans for prospects, the Yankees have maintained a good farm. Third Baseman Justin Campbell is a jewel. Patient and powerful, he looks like a future all-star though he still needs minor-league seasoning. Skyler Nash is a couple of years away, but looks like a future rotation stalwart. Verna Maya and “The Natural,” Kevin Carson, look like future rotation pieces many years from now as well. Mario Custudio doesn’t have the upside, but could be a back-end rotation piece as soon as this year. With options, the Yankees can deal from strength if they’re in a race this year.
Best Case Scenario: Another year of gradual improvements could see the Yankees on the fringes of a playoff race.
Worst Case Scenario: Yunior Severino, Shane Shifflett, and Livan Soto formed an S-club of hitters with an OPS that began with a 6 or lower last year. If they can’t become OPS-club 7, the offense may be doomed to another year with mid-70s wins.
5) Tampa Bay Rays
2029: 67-95, Last Place AL East
Who They Were: Tampa Bay fielded well and pitched pretty well, but an anemic offense left them starved for wins. They were fortunate not to lose 100 games for the second straight year. They didn’t have a single player with more than 19 homers, and only one pitcher had more than 2.0 WAR. That being said, a strong defense helped the staff punch far above its weight class, keeping the team very respectable.
Offseason Review: The combination of a rough budget, new management, and fungible talent led to a bit of a housecleaning. Four of the team’s nine position players with 0.9 WAR last year have been sent along, with younger cost-controlled players allowed to stay. The same process was used on the staff. Blayne Enlow was brought aboard with a chance to start, with the rest of the open spots on the team going to budget veterans competing with Quad-A types as the team looks to keep costs down.
On The Farm: For a team in Tampa Bay’s position, it’s a dire farm. The team doesn’t have a single Top 100 prospect, nor do they even have much depth pieces. The Rays do have seven picks in the first three rounds to try to rebuild their organization, but Jimmy Wood has his work cut out for him.
Best Case Scenario: 2029—remixed.
Worst Case Scenario: The Rays could lose 110 games if the defense falters.
Key Questions: There’s a lot of work needed to build up Tampa Bay’s talent base, not just in the majors, but in the minors as well. How do you plan on getting more talent into the system?
Blayne Enlow has never started in the PBA. Why did you give him a 7-figure contract to start for you?
