2014 AL East Preview – Brad Beneke

The Yankees spent half a billion dollars to improve this team. They reinvented the lineup and re-infused the rotation with quality arms. Gone is the distraction that is A-Rod. Gone is their best offensive player from 2013 in Cano, and gone is maybe the greatest Yankee to ever play the game in Mariano Rivera. This should be a death knell, but I don’t see it as such. Adding Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury to the outfield gives them more depth and more flexibility while having some guy named Ichiro to back them up means everyone stays fresh. It’s a big if, but if their second baseman bucks the trend and is healthy he’s an outstanding pickup. Brian McCann behind the plate is a very good catcher and an offensive threat.

The Orioles have the United Nations rotation and one of the best young talents in the game not named Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. The team has rotation arms to spare, and three excellent young arms in the minors in case they need to make a move. I haven’t even gotten to the best center fielder in the American League or this guy who hit 50-plus homers last year. I am not sold on the closer, nor am I sold on the fact that ownership will allow them to do everything they need to in order to win now.

Tampa has pitching, pitching, pitching and pitching. When they get in a bind they can put David Price on the block and ransom him for a franchise. They have Wil Myers, who is one of the best young hitters in the game and Evan Longoria who is still the best third baseman in the game. Talented defense, talented offense, and outstanding pitching along with the best manager in baseball mean that if they had no budget constraints the Rays would be hell to beat, but the owner is dirt cheap.

The Red Sox won the World Series last year, and did nothing to hurt the team except maybe lose Ellsbury. But this division is just that damn good. They have four of the 10 best teams in the game so there is no shame in not winning this division. The rotation should be healthier, the offense still gets to play in Fenway, and the team has more money than god to spend.

Toronto made great trades last year and great promises this year. Last year they failed to deliver and I see much the same thing happening in 2014. It wouldn’t be too surprising if they contend, but I just don’t see it.

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