MLB Breakdown #5

Well people we're about 5 hours away from seeing Brett Myers throw the first pitch of the MLB season. And I'm two divisions away from finishing this breakdown. So onward we go, and it's over the AL East. This is one of the most interesting divisions, you have the big time, no limit spenders in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox but now you also have one of the little guys giving them a run for their money in Tampa Bay. Shocking the country by winning the division last year, can the Rays recapture last year's magic? Or will the ridiculous spendings made in the offseason pay off for the Yankees and Sox? One thing is for sure the AL Wild Card is coming out of the East, book it.

1. New York Yankees (98-64) - The Yankees spent almost half a billion dollars on C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. The Yankees have a lot of pressure on them what with all the money being spent on free agents to win and their new stadium opening up this year but that's why they're the Yankees that's why they play in New York. They will be without A-Rod for the first two months or so but he'll come back and be A-Rod as usual. However this team like many won't succeed if they can't stay healthy. Look for Sabathia and Big Tex to have a good season but I'm not so sure Burnett and his elbow will make it through the year, paving the way for Phil Hughes to return. The Yanks will be back in October this year.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (94-68) - The Rays won't be sneaking up on anyone this year but they are good. Reigning rookie of the year, Evan Longoria is primed for another big year with table setters BJ Upton and Carl Crawford ready to bust out for big seasons, especially since Crawford is in a contract year. With uber stud David Price going to triple-A to work on his changeup, look for Jeff Niemann or Jason Hammel to take over the number 5 gig for now but I have a feeling Price will get that job before the season is over. Troy Percival returns as the closer but he's basically the walking wounded, I expect to see either JP Howell or Grant Balfour take over the closer role.

3. Boston Red Sox (92-70) - Boston wasn't the same team without Manny Ramirez last year and they won't be this year either. Jason Bay is a great player, but he's no Manny Ramirez and it'll come back to cost them the Wild Card. Jon Lester is one of the best left handed starters in the game and could win 20 games this year. The backend of this rotation worries me; Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny and John Smoltz(once back from rehab) are not what they use to be. David Ortiz and Jason Varitek are getting old along with Mike Lowell. This team is likely to be using their minor league options quite a bit and it will eventually lead to them missing the playoffs.

4. Toronto Blue Jays (72-90) - Things won't be getting much better the for the Blue Jays anytime soon and JP Rincardi might be out of a job by year's end. Roy Halladay who is always a contender for Cy Young should be moved around the deadline for much needed prospects. Vernon Wells and Alex Rios could also be moved if the right deal comes along, same for now set-up man BJ Ryan who lost his job to Scott Downs. After Halladay, the rotation is young and inexperienced but they do have some offensive fire power. The Jays did a fine job of winning games that they led into the 7th and later last year, but I don't think the Jays starters will give them as many chances this year.

5. Baltimore Orioles (69-93) - The Orioles have a ton of young talent on this team, none better then Matt Wieters, rookie catcher from Georgia Tech. They also have Adam Jones who they received in the Bedard trade and hopeful of youngster Felix Pie. Then they have veterans Aubrey Huff and Brian Roberts who could be moved if the right deals come along. Baltimore needs pitching to help these talented youngsters out down the road. Jeremy Guthrie and George Sherrill are Baltimore's best pitchers, first a starter and latter a closer. This team is a long ways away from contention but keep an eye on Wieters and Jones in the fantasy world.