American League East preview
Boston Red Sox
2016: 93-69, first place, lost to Cleveland in ALDS.
Outlook: It will take a while to get used to life without David Ortiz, but Boston’s young core of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley and Xander Bogaerts certainly puts the Red Sox among the early favorites in the American League. How far they go will depend upon how well the new-look rotation performs, how Pablo Sandoval looks after sitting out nearly all of last season, and whether the lineup remains as potent without Big Papi’s game-changing left-handed bat.
Toronto Blue Jays
2016: 89-73, tied for second place, wild card, lost to Cleveland in ALCS.
Outlook: After losing in the ALCS each of the past two seasons, Toronto hopes to take the next step in 2017 and reach its first World Series since 1993, when Joe Carter’s home run gave the Blue Jays the second of back-to-back titles. To get to the Fall Classic, Toronto will have to overcome the loss of Edwin Encarnacion, the slugger who signed with A.L. champion Cleveland. The Blue Jays will hope for a bounce-back year from Jose Bautista, hobbled by foot and knee injuries last season, and a power boost from Kendrys Morales as he moves into hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. Toronto has reason to feel good about its rotation, arguably one of the strongest in the American League, but doesn’t have much depth should any of its projected starters go down with an injury. Despite struggling for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, the young Roberto Osuna is a dependable anchor at the back of the bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles
2016: 89-73, tied for second place, lost wild-card game to Toronto.
Outlook: The Orioles intend to once again pound the opposition into submission, hoping their power-laden lineup is enough to overcome a questionable starting rotation. That’s why Executive VP of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette brought back Mark Trumbo and paid heavily to retain Chris Davis one year earlier. Five starters hit at least 25 homers last season for a team that earned a playoff berth for the third time in five years. The theory is that the ascension of Hyun Soo Kim to the leadoff spot and the acquisition of Seth Smith will improve the team’s ability to put runners on base ahead of those long balls. If the starters can keep the Orioles in the game through six or seven innings, the formidable bullpen should be able to finish up nicely. Showalter puts a high priority on defense, which is why Smith was brought in to play right field instead of Trumbo, whose strong suit is definitely swinging the bat.
New York Yankees
2016: 84-78, fourth place.
Outlook: With starting shortstop Didi Gregorius (.276, 20, 70) expected to miss the first month of the season with a shoulder injury, Ronald Torreyes figures to fill in. A team in transition, the Yankees plan to start three young players in Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge and await the emergence of top prospects Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, James Kaprielian and Gleyber Torres. Matt Holliday should provide more offense than Alex Rodriguez did before his August release last year. After his hot start, Sanchez cooled in late September and must show he can adjust when pitchers pound his weak spot. Judge must cut down on his strikeouts and Bird needs to establish himself as an everyday player after missing all of 2016.
Tampa Bay Rays
2016: 68-94, fifth place.
Outlook: The Rays have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, but a budget-minded front office feels spending modestly in free agency to sign Wilson Ramos and Colby Rasmus, trading for Mallex Smith and pitching prospect Jose De Leon, and giving defensive whiz Kevin Kiermaier a six-year, $53.5 million contract will help the club escape the A.L. East cellar. A lingering question is whether Tampa Bay has done enough to improve the overall talent around team leader Evan Longoria, especially since Ramos, Matt Duffy and Brad Boxberger figure to begin the season on the disabled list.