Now that we’ve completed our National League preview series (some moves have since been made that almost invalidate the entire NL West blog) it’s time to move on to the American League. We’ll start in the East:
New York Yankees
The Yankees are the most iconic franchise in sports. They’re coming off a down year in which just about every player underperformed, but they still finished above .500. In fact, it’s been over 30 years since the team’s last losing record.
In 2024, they’re looking to bounce back, and I wholeheartedly believe they will. They made two huge trades to improve the outfield, bringing in Alex Verdugo and the incredible youngster Juan Soto. Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge are all healthy (despite an oblique scare for Judge already), and shortstop Anthony Volpe is looking to take a stride forward in his sophomore season. One position they can improve upon is catcher, but they can afford to wait until the deadline if the lineup stays healthy.
In the rotation, they added Marcus Stroman (who, fun fact, grew up around the block from me) and have a healthy Carlos Rodon entering this season. Nester Cortes is hoping to get back to his 2022-self, and I believe the Yankees are still the favorites to sign Blake Snell. However, their ace, and arguably the best pitcher in baseball Gerrit Cole will miss one to two months with an elbow injury. Though, fans are breathing a sigh of relief learning he won’t need Tommy John surgery.
Especially if they sign Snell, I believe the Yankees will make the jump from fourth to first place in the AL East, and will make a run in the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox
Since we started with the Yankees, it makes sense to discuss their most hated rivals next (although this rivalry doesn’t mean what it used to; these two teams haven’t been good at the same time in a long time). The Red Sox are coming off two straight last-place finishes in the division and are staring straight down the barrel of a third.
Their offseason moves include trading Verdugo to the Yankees, trading for Tyler O’Neill who hasn’t been good the last two years, trading Chris Sale for one of the Braves’ most disappointing prospects in Vaughn Grissom, and signing Lucas Giolito who immediately needed elbow surgery and is out for the year.
It’s safe to say the Red Sox will be even worse in 2024, and will finish the season in last place once again.
Baltimore Orioles
Opposite of Boston, the Orioles finished in first place in the AL East in 2023 and are looking to improve upon that.
Their extremely young core could be growing by one if Jackson Holliday continues to shine at second base. Add his bat to a lineup featuring Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins and Gunnar Henderson and this team is as dangerous as last year. Pitching-wise, they signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel and traded for the Brewers’ ace Corbin Burnes.
While I believe they’ve gotten better, I’m still putting them in a Wild Card spot behind the Yankees. I’m not saying last season was a fluke, but I am saying I believe they overperformed while New York underperformed.
Toronto Blue Jays
I believe the Blue Jays’ window is closing. Outside of Bo Bichette, I believe the young Toronto core is a bit overrated. For example, Vlad Guerrero Jr., who is supposed to be the heartbeat of this team, only hit 26 home runs in 156 games in 2023. This offseason, they added Justin Turner to the lineup in the back end of his career, but lost Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield.
If anything is going to keep this team alive, it’s pitching. Chris Bassitt is coming off a great year, as are Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman. Alek Manoah is a lost cause, but if Nate Pearson can live up to his potential as a starting pitcher in this league, the Blue Jays’ rotation can be dangerous.
I’ll be honest, when it comes to the Blue Jays, I’m still bitter. Manager John Schneider’s decision to pull Berrios early in last year’s Wild Card round and basically hand the Minnesota Twins the series doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe I just have that bad taste in my mouth, but I don’t see Toronto back in the playoffs in 2024.
Tampa Bay Rays
Last but not least, the most consistent AL East team over the last few years: the Rays.
Every year I find myself saying “this is it for the Rays’ ‘dynasty'”. However, every year I’m wrong about that. They always seem to call someone up from the minors who will make an immediate impact.
That being said, I think they’re missing the playoffs in 2024. It’s going to be tough for Yandy Diaz to recreate the season he had last year, and Randy Arozarena can only do so much. The only move they made for the lineup this offseason was replacing Wander Franco (who should never touch a Major League field again) with Amed Rosario. I just don’t see the lineup recovering from that loss.
In the rotation, they lost Tyler Glasnow who, while he’s too injury prone, is one of the most dominant pitchers in the league when healthy. Shane McClanahan will also miss most of the 2024 season coming off Tommy John surgery. Those are two major losses with no replacements.
I see a third or fourth place finish for the Rays this year.
Predictions
- Yankees 100-62
- Orioles 94-68 (Wild Card)
- Blue Jays 82-80
- Rays 81-81
- Red Sox 72-90
Tough Money Sports 