AL East Preview

Over the next 2 weeks I am going to do a division by division / team by team preview (in my eyes) I have never done an "in depth" preview before so this could be interesting. At any rate, today I will get this started with the AL East. So here goes.

Baltimore Orioles:

Oriole Park At Camden Yards

The Orioles, a franchise with a rich history has fallen on hard times over the last 15 years. They have not made the playoffs since 1997 and being in a division with the Yankees, Red Sox and even the Rays as of late makes it extremely hard for the O's to be competitive. Their attendance is not very good at all, they have not averaged more than 30K fans a game since 2005 and have not even averaged more than 22K fans a game the last two seasons. I gotta tell you, living within an hour drive from Baltimore, Camden Yards is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever been to. the stadium itself is a draw. It was a trend setter for the "new era" of stadiums. Besides the poor product on the field (the Orioles have not won 70 games in a single season since 2006 (70) and have not finished above .500 since that last playoff season in 1997) Camden Yards should be enough to draw fans to the stadium that this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary. When it comes to the 2012 Orioles they have a good squad that has been built for the last few seasons. Guys like Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy, Nick Markakis, and Adan Jones. In February the team Traded RHP Jeremy Guthrie to Colorado for RHP Jason Hammel and RHP Matt Lindstrom. In my opinion this was a very good trade for them. Hammel is a guy who can lead this staff and bring some hope to the fans. With the roster they have and a good manager in Buck Showalter I expect the Orioles to put up a fight in the division. However I dont see them avoiding the basement this season but stranger things have happened.
Prediction - 5th AL East


Boston Red Sox:

Fenway Park celebrates 100 years in 2012

The Boston Red Sox have alot to forget from 2011. After a full scale collapse at the end of last season that saw them lose on the last day of the season to the Orioles and missing out on the playoffs with that loss. Needless to say they need to forget last year and look forward to 2012. There will be alot to celebrate at Fenway Park this season. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the great Fenway Park, but to the fans if they do not vanquish the memories of 2011 and make the playoffs this year I can only imagine this season will be considered a major disappointment. The Red Sox made some changes this off season. They lost closer Jonathan Papelbon to Philadelphia in free agency, but they added RHP Andrew Bailey via a trade with the Oakland Athletics. The Red Sox also signed INF Nick Punto, C Kelly Shoppach and OF Cody Ross. But their biggest off season signing was their new Manager Bobby Valentine. What will Valentine bring to Boston? Thats a big question that will be answered during the 2012 season. I know I look forward to seeing what he can do with that team.
Prediction - 2nd AL East


New York Yankees:
Alot of people i know, either love or hate the Yankees. Most of them fall in the hate area of that argument. Myself though, I dont hate the Yankees, I respect them, Sure they spend a ton of money to try to win every year, pay the luxury tax every season but honestly when you bring in 46K+ and 3-4 Million fans every season, you can afford to do those things. I am also a fan of Derek Jeter. Again some people give me crap for this but Jeter is what defines a true baseball player. I have always used the analogy that Jeter is to the Yankees what Ripkin Jr. was to the Orioles. Ok moving on,the big news this week with the Yankees was the signing of pitcher Andy Pettitte out of retirement. What is roll will be and when he will be available is still to be decided. They did make a good signing in OF/DH Raul Ibanez who spent the last 3 seasons with the Phillies. The Yankees also traded Pitcher A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh this off season. With guys like Cano, Jeter, Teixeira, A-Rod, Swisher, Granderson, WOW this list just goes on and on. Their starting staff is also really good led by Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and last seasons surprise Ivan Nova, this Yankees team is prime for another run at an AL Pennant.
Prediction - 1st AL East


Tampa Bay Rays:
Since shocking the division and all of baseball in 2008 by not only winning the division but making it all the way to the World Series, The Rays have been a major threat to the every team in American League not just the NL East. Lead by manager John Maddon who had his contract extended thought the 2015 season. The Rays are in good hands. Besides having one of the worst stadiums in all of baseball which hurts their attendance therefore they can not afford to bring in the "high priced" players in free agency. The Rays have done a fantastic job getting the most out of everyone they have on their roster, and the players love to play for Maddon himself. The Rays did a great job of re-signing 1B Carlos Pena and picking up some depth in the infield with Jeff Keppinger, they also brought in C Jose Molina. As long as the Rays have Maddon in charge and he keeps getting everything out of all his players they will be competitive every season. 2012 will could be much like 2011, fighting for a wild card or even the division title. But I don't think it will be enough for the the team from Tampa.
Prediction - 3rd AL East

Jose Bautista Smacked 43 Home
Runs in 2011

Toronto Blue Jays:
The Toronto Blue Jays are a team that always has high expectations and a very large fan base that reaches all coasts of Canada. The 2011 Blue Jays were so fun to watch with Jose Bautista (who in my mind was the AL MVP)  and pitcher Ricky Romero. In the off season the Blue Jays tried to lure in closer Ryan Madson but was unsuccessful. However the Blue Jays strength is their power bat of Bautista. I dont know if he will be able to replicate his huge numbers from 2011 but it will be fun to watch him try. I look for the Blue Jays to be a pesky team in 2012, I expect them to be around a .500 team and if things go right they could surprise some folks this year
Prediction - 4th AL East


AL Central preview coming this weekend.

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