Strengths and Weaknesses: AL East

Here is the post regarding each team's strengths and weaknesses in the AL East.

AL East:


Boston Red Sox:

Strengths: Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. The Red Sox organization has built up their starting pitching depth masterfully over the last few years. The Sox will go into 2009 with a rotation of Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Wakefield and Penny. John Smoltz is waiting in the wings, too. He will rehab until he is ready to contribute sometime in May or June. The Red Sox also have Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden in AAA, who are both good enough to pitch for ¾ of the major league teams right now. Secondly, but still very importantly, the Red Sox have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Even though the Red Sox pen was terrific last year, Theo and the front office went and acquired another arm: trading Coco Crisp for Ramon Ramirez. They also signed an immensely talented and successful Takashi Saito, who wasn’t receiving the offers he deserved after there were questions regarding his elbow. These two join a pen comprised of Manny Delcarmen, Javier Lopez, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson, and Jonathan “Cinco Ocho” Papelbon. Finally, do not forget the flame-thrower Daniel Bard who was consistently hitting triple digits during spring training. Although there is probably not a spot for him at the beginning of the year, if an injury strikes, he will be first in line to be called up.

Weaknesses: Most would argue that the Red Sox do not have a glaring weakness. The only problem that could strike them is the injury bug. With David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew coming back from injuries, the Red Sox lineup has some question marks. If those three contribute, though, the Red Sox have one of the deepest lineups in the game.

New York Yankees:

Strengths: As soon as Alex Rodriguez returns to the lineup, the Yankees have undoubtedly the best lineup in baseball with Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeira, Matsui, Posada, Cano, and whoever else they throw out there in the 8 and 9 spots. The Yankees also have one of the finest rotations in baseball after an offseason spending spree in which they signed C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Those two will join a rotation that includes Chien Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees have good starting pitching depth as well, with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy available should an injury strike.

Weaknesses: The Yankees do not have the bullpen depth that they had during the “Yankee Dynasty” years of the 1990’s. While Mariano Rivera remains as strong as ever, the rest of the bullpen does not have an established reliever other than Damaso Marte. While Yankee fans love to say that Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and Phil Coke are going to shine, I’m not sold until I see them perform for another full season.

Tampa Bay Rays:

Strengths: The Rays are coming off a season in which they won the AL Pennant. The frightening thing for the rest of the AL East is that the heart of their lineup has room for improvement. Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, and even Carlos Pena should all have improved numbers in 2009. The Rays starting pitching is also very good with James Shields, Scott Kazmir, and Matt Garza carrying the load. After the first two months of the season it is expected that the Rays will call up David Price, which should further improve their rotation. Andy Sonnastine is not a bad #5, either.

Weaknesses: The Rays biggest flaw is their bullpen. While Howell, Wheeler, and Balfour had strong seasons in 2008, they are going have to be just as strong in ’09 if they want to make the playoffs. Troy Percival also cannot be counted on for the long haul. If he goes down with an injury, I’m not sure the Rays have someone they can rely on to fill the closer’s role.

Toronto Blue Jays:

Strengths: The Blue Jays have quite a strong outfield core with Vernon Wells in center and Travis Snyder and Alexis Rios in left and right. Adam Lind is also a capable outfielder. The Jays have one of the league’s best starters in Roy Halladay, so they are not likely to go on any prolonged losing streaks.

Weaknesses: Unfortunately for the Jays, they have more weaknesses than strengths. Losing Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum to injury really leaves their rotation in shambles. Their bullpen is also pretty thin with only Scott Downs, Brandon League, and an aging B.J. Ryan to rely upon (Ryan’s velocity has been down considerably during spring training). Scott Rolen has shown over the last two seasons that he has very little left, and Vernon Wells has a lot to prove coming off an injury riddled 2008. With the Red Sox and Yankees paying the big bucks year in and year out, the fact that the Jays didn’t spend a dollar in free agency speaks volumes about where this team is headed.

Baltimore Orioles:

Strengths: The Orioles have a few really good, young, position players. The list includes Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters (who will begin the season in AAA). Brian Roberts is the consummate professional, and Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are coming off 100 RBI seasons. The Orioles also have the luxury of having two relievers, George Sherrill and Chris Ray, with experience as closer.

Weaknesses: Should I just say Peter Angelos and move on? The Orioles front office has been fighting the owner for years. From a team standpoint, the Orioles enter 2009 with a questionable starting rotation. Jeremy Guthrie looks like a sure thing, but after him, the O’s have some serious question marks. The fact that their #2 starter is Koji Uehara, a guy who hasn’t thrown a pitch in the big leagues, can’t bode well for them.