The greatest time of the year is near. The temperature is rising and the snow is melting as the days fly of the calander getting ever so closer to April 1st. Pitchers and catchers have reported and it is time for Spring Training to begin. So now that the time is here, it is time for my spring training predictions.
AL East: 1. Boston Red Sox
Yes they got ride of Victor Martinez this offseason but I feel it was moved that needed to be made for the BoSox, Martinez is known for his bat but may be even better known for his poor defense. I believe Jarred Saltalamacchia is a good addition and can grow as a catcher with veteran Jason Varitek behind him. They also added former White Sox Bobby Jenks to the bullpen. The rotation looks pretty solid with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, and Daiskue Matsuzaka. The position starters look solid as well with David Ortiz returning at DH Adrian Gonzalez at first, Dustin Pedroia at 2nd, Marco Scutaro at short, and Kevin Youkilis at thrid, the outfield has Carl Crawford in left, Jacoby Ellsbury in center, and JD Drew in right.
2. New York Yankees
They didn't make much noise this offseason and people will say that is a disappointment. But this is still a team that at one point had the best record in the majors last season and made the playoffs...the Yankees will be fine. They kept Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter that is really all they had to do this offseason. With Sabathia Hughes and if Burnett can find his stuff that he had in Toronto the rotation looks alright, not much to brag about in the 4 and 5 spot. But they still have Jorge in the DH now as Russell Martin takes over at the plate, Mark Texiara at first, Robinson Cano at second, Derek Jeter at short, A-Rod at 3rd, Gardner is in left and seems to be the weak point in the lineup, Granderson returns to center, and Swisher is in right.
3. Baltimore Orioles
These guys have made noise this offseason and could give the Yankees a run for second. They are my suprise team this year (last year my suprise team was Texas look where that got them). They have got some good hitters this offseason by getting Vlad Guerreo at DH, Derrek Lee at first, J.J. Hardy at short and Mark Reynolds at third. Brian Roberts is a solid at second and Matt Wieters is improving behind the plate. The outfield has one of the up and coming players in the league with Adam Jones in center. They also have Luke Scott in left and Nick Markakis in right. Jermey Gunthrie is the leadman in the rotation and veteran closer Kevin Gregg is in town. Look out for the Orioles.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
I really do not like what they have done this offseason (actually I love it). The Rays parted ways with first baseman Carlos Pena and no-hitter throwing Matt Garza both to my beloved Chicago Cubs. They then added two AL East stars (in 2004) with Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez but I don't think they have what it takes anymore to be everyday starters. They still have two very strong guys in the rotation with David Price and Scott Shields, but besides that they will miss Matt Garza. As far as the lineup goes they have young Johnny Jaso behind the plate and he should do well, Dan Johnson is replacing Pena and that will hurt when Johnson brings his .198 batting average from last season, young second basemen Sean Rodriguez could do some good things this season as well should his fellow young mid infielder Reid Brignac. Of course Evan Longria is back at third, BJ Upton is good in center and Zobrist is a good right fielder.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Oh every Toronto has seen better days. They have looked so good offseason after offseason, but this year it doesn't look good. Encarnacion is alright at DH, Jose Bautista was great last year at the plate and at third, Aaron Hill is back at second and Escobar is back at short, Adam Lind is at first and was shaky last season, J.P. Arencibia batted an awful .143 last year but it was only in 11 games. Juan Rivera is good in left and Raji Davis is coming off a .284 batting average last season, but I'm not sure about left fielder Travis Snider. I'm not a fan of the rotation that is lead by lefty Ricky Romero, and they don't have much of a bullpen to brag about.
Part 2 will feature the AL Central
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