New York Yankees
Kansas City Royals
San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers
Wide Open AL East Race Leaves No Room for Flailing Red Sox
Apart from the Boston Red Sox, who have notably pared back their pitching resources to a precarious thinness, the competition in this division is incredibly tight. The New York Yankees, grappling with their most challenging season since 1992 as reported across MLB news outlets, are under pressure to demonstrate their capabilities after acquiring Juan Soto.
Despite Toronto’s failure to secure Shohei Ohtani, the team boasts a solid rotation and a dynamic leading lineup. Maintaining a five-year postseason streak, the Tampa Bay Rays feature one of baseball’s most underappreciated power hitters in Yandy Díaz.
Meanwhile, last year’s AL East victors, the Baltimore Orioles, face challenges with a spate of injuries to their pitchers but remain contenders thanks to a robust lineup of emerging young talent.
With Opening Day rapidly approaching, it’s time to dissect the MLB rumors, dynamics, and stats within the American League East as the new season begins.
1. New York Yankees
The Yankees’ pitching struggles due to injuries highlight a concerning shortfall in depth throughout the summer. However, the exceptional talent of players like Soto, Aaron Judge, and Gerrit Cole allows the team to navigate these challenges successfully. Cole is dealing with nerve irritation in his throwing elbow, and rumors are swirling that he will miss the entire season. Judge, meanwhile, is making his Spring Training debut on Friday after a nagging oblique injury kept him off the field.
Gerrit Cole’s elbow is still in tact (for now) pic.twitter.com/KCqh45pPtR
— Patches O’Houlihan (@sondraa) March 15, 2024
The supporting lineup, including Anthony Volpe, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Verdugo, Austin Wells, DJ LeMahieu, and Gleyber Torres, contributes reliably without great fanfare. Ultimately, the combination of a solid bullpen and the luminous talent at the top of the lineup propels the Yankees beyond the 90-win mark and secures their place in the postseason—if they can stay healthy. There is a world where Cole doesn’t play, Judge misses time, and Soto gets fed up with the NY Circus. That potential future would be a disaster, leaving the Yankees without ammo to beat the Vegas MLB betting odds and make a World Series run.
2. Baltimore Orioles
Last season, the Orioles emerged as one of baseball’s most unexpected success stories. After a prolonged period of strategic rebuilding and drafting, their youthful team began to excel at the major league level.
Securing Corbin Burnes, a top-tier pitcher, was a highlight of their offseason, significantly bolstering their rotation. Yet, the upbeat mood was tempered by the news that All-Star pitcher Kyle Bradish would be sidelined for an extended period due to a forearm issue. Although Tommy John surgery isn’t in immediate plans, losing a potential second-in-command was a harsh setback.
Corbin Burnes with a 1-2-3 3rd inning. 10 pitches. At 39/31 #orioles pic.twitter.com/3tvDQNfMME
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) March 16, 2024
In contrast to the Yankees, the Orioles experienced a charmed season where many elements worked in their favor. Their Pythagorean win-loss record stood at 94–68 for 2023, which was seven victories shy of their actual performance, hinting at a stroke of luck, particularly highlighted by their powerful bullpen duo, Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano, who secured numerous narrow victories. This success might typically suggest a potential fallback. Nonetheless, the anticipation grows as Jackson Holliday, the top prospect, is expected to join the team this summer, promising to inject fresh energy.
With MLB odds at +185, the O’s are the best bet to win the division in 2024.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays’ balanced roster maintains their competitive edge in the fierce American League East battles. Beyond the dynamic duo of Bichette and Guerrero, the lineup provides enough firepower to navigate another wild-card berth. The formidable starting rotation, comprised of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, and Yusei Kikuchi, shoulders the team through the intense summer schedule, anticipating an energy boost from the anticipated late-season promotion of leading pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann. Yet, despite these strengths, the current squad needs to gain the elite talent necessary to advance deep into the postseason. A potential addition like Ohtani could have been transformative, showcasing the team’s ambition.
Despite back-to-back postseason appearances, the Blue Jays have yet to register a win in the playoffs, a streak they’re desperate to end. Their off-season efforts to enhance offensive firepower haven’t quite hit the mark.
Key players such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, supported by a strong starting trio of Gausman, Bassitt, and Berrios, are expected to lead the team to playoff contention once more. Nonetheless, gaps need to be addressed, particularly in the lineup and rotation’s depth.
The departure of Matt Chapman, alongside the challenges faced by an often-injured George Springer and the unsuccessful acquisition of Daulton Varsho, have left visible cracks. Alek Manoah’s potential rebound following his demotion to AAA last season offers a glimmer of hope, yet the team faces several critical challenges unmistakably.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
This season, I admire baseball’s budget-conscious approach, and my admiration for the Rays, projected at 87 wins, lands with them. The Rays consistently outperform expectations with their superior talent development, intelligent trading, and strategic acquisitions while maintaining one of the lowest payrolls in the league.
Their lineup features power hitters like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz, and they have a knack for developing top-tier relievers with apparent ease. Yet, their starting rotation feels the absence of premier pitchers, exacerbated by Tyler Glasnow’s departure to the Dodgers.
Recent controversies involving Wander Franco have cast shadows over the franchise’s future prospects. Nevertheless, I anticipate the Rays achieving a win total in the high eighties and inching their way into the playoffs with a Wild Card spot.
Ohtani and wander franco in the MLB prison series pic.twitter.com/FQibIyloiD
— rofl (@NightmareAlt) March 21, 2024
The Rays’ roster, including Arozarena, Diaz, a couple of Lowes, and numerous lesser-known players, is expected to secure 92 victories, epitomizing the team’s low-key success. However, their recent playoff performances have been lackluster, with a meager two runs scored over the last four postseason games. Despite the small sample size, Tampa’s lower batting order remains a significant weakness, not notably strengthened during the offseason. While their defensive strategies are commendable, a standout season from someone like Bradley could elevate their game significantly. Yet, without a newcomer like Junior Caminero stepping up, Tampa’s lineup might lack the necessary firepower.
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5. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox, a team once synonymous with big-market splendor and historical significance, has strayed from their traditional free-agent pursuits. The franchise faced criticism for trading Mookie Betts instead of renewing his contract, allowing Xander Bogaerts and Nathan Eovaldi to depart, with minimal notable activity since acquiring Trevor Story in 2022.
This is the modern day low point for the Boston Red Sox. ⤵️https://t.co/3FTpqfH3Qn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 22, 2024
While the team boasts skilled hitters like Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, its pitching staff lacks depth and quality. Jordan Montgomery could have been a beneficial addition, yet the team appears reluctant to pursue further signings this offseason. Despite Team President Sam Kennedy’s offseason declarations of a return to impactful signings, Liam Hendriks’ short-term contract as a setup man stands out as the team’s sole significant move.
Beyond their on-field struggles, the Red Sox face a relevance and excitement crisis. The team’s reluctance to invest heavily has dire consequences, with the transition from Chaim Bloom to Breslow making little difference. With only a few standout players, public interest wanes, shifting toward preseason football as summer wanes.
A Netflix documentary intended to highlight the team instead portrays them as a symbol of disarray, underscoring the Red Sox’s forgettable and irrelevant season.
Questions Of The Day
Who is favored to win the World Series among AL East teams?
The New York Yankees, at +1000, are favorites among AL East teams to win the World Series. The Baltimore Orioles, at +1200, are a close second.
Are there any MVP candidates in the AL East?
Several MVP candidates are in the division, including Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Adley Rautchman, and Gunnar Henderson.
