Spring Training Countdown & AL East Predictions

Unpacking the Offseason's End and AL East Predictions

Over the next two weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training with the remaining players shortly after. The earliest teams to report will be the Dodgers on the 9th and the Padres on the 11th due to their upcoming two-game series in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20-21. Most other teams will first get to camp on the 14th or 15th. After the Super Bowl this coming Sunday, Spring Training will be here before we know it.

The offseason as a whole has been rather underwhelming, and there are still some key free agents out there like Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell, who thinks he’s getting $270M. I need some of what that guy smoking. Despite how high Snell might be getting, where these players land could have a seismic impact depending on the location, and of course, similar performances to last year.

Over the next two weeks, we will break down each division’s key additions, subtractions, and our standings predictions. Today we’ll start in the juggernaut that is the AL East.

1. Baltimore Orioles

Additions: Corbin Burnes, Craig Kimbrel
Subtractions: Kyle Gibson, DL Hall, Aaron Hicks
Why? The 19-game gap from the end of year standings is going to be hard to overcome for the Yankees and the recent addition of Corbin Burnes is going to make that even harder. The O’s have more than enough resources to capitalize at the trade deadline if needed as well.

2. New York Yankees

Additions: Juan Soto, Trent Grisham, Alex Verdugo, Marcus Stroman
Subtractions: Michael King, Wandy Peralta, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Luis Severino, Kyle Higashioka
Why: Adding Juan Soto to this under-performing, injury-ridden 82-win team will give the Yankees the boost they need to compete for the division title. The heat has been on this front office so they’ll need to make a push for the division title. Carlos Rodón and Giancarlo Stanton will need to have bounce back years for this team to beat the O’s.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

Additions: Justin Turner, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Yariel Rodriguez
Subtractions: Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt, Hyun Jin Ryu
Why: I still feel for these poor fans who got dragged through the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. This is a strong team and another strong bat would help put them over the edge, but they are unlucky enough to be in the juggernaut AL East and don’t have enough to get over the hump just yet.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

Additions: Ryan Pepiot, José Caballero
Subtractions: Tyler Glasnow, Manuel Margot
Why: The loss of Glasnow despite the injury history will be impactful, but knowing the Rays’ history of developing talented arms, I am nearly positive they’ll make me look like a fool, and a David Price, Blake Snell, etc. will arise.

5. Boston Red Sox

Additions: Lucas Giolito, Tyler O’Neill
Subtractions: Justin Turner, Corey Kluber, Chris Sale
Why: That “full throttle” offseason of the lowly Boston Red Sox didn’t exactly pan out as promised by Chairman Tom Werner. While adding Giolito is a plus, I’m not sure I see the vision for this team right now. A last-place finish is clear as day.

• Carlos Santana agrees to a 1yr, $5.25M deal with the Minnesota Twins

• New York Mets sign Shintaro Fujinami to 1yr, $3.35M

We are so close to the Baseball season that I can taste the taters. For my money, there is nothing better in sports in terms of a “regular play” than an in-person homer. Check out the top 20 projected players by WAR smash taters and make some all-around incredible plays.

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