2009 AL East Preview

Here we go with our incredibly well though out.....all right, not THAT well thought out, predictions. Let's get right down to business and talk about the AL East, baseball's version of the "black and blue" division.

This is a three team race between the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto took a big blow with the losses of A.J. Burnett (free agency) and Dustin McGowan (injury) to their starting rotation. Baltimore will be in the basement when the season ends (as well as for most of the regular season).

Who wins the AL East? Each of the "Big 3" has quality pitching rotations and decent or better bullpens.

Ranking the rotations

Yankees - CC Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnette, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain

Boston - Josh Beckett, Datsuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny

Tampa Bay - James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnastine, Jeff Niemann

We're giving the Yankees a slight edge over the Red Sox, though you can't go wrong with either staff. The Rays are a solid, young staff that don't quite have the pedigree of the other two. The Rays do have a huge weapon in waiting in David Price, who should be back in the majors in May or June.

The Red Sox could add John Smoltz to their rotation or pen in mid-summer and the Yankees could turn to Phil Hughes, should injuries or ineffectiveness hit the Yankees rotation.

Ranking the bullpens

Boston - Jonathon Papelbon, Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima, Takashi Saito, Manny Delcarmen, Javier Lopez, Ramon Ramirez

Yankees - Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras, Phil Coke, Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez

Rays - Troy Percival, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Lance Cormier

This is a very close comparison. The Rays bullpen is underrated, with some very hard strikeout pitchers. Percival as closer brings the rating down as does Wheeler as next in line. The rating will be higher if Bafour or Howell, or possibly Jason Isringhausen, were to establish themselves as closer.

The Red Sox get the nod ahead of the Yankees because of the two season Hideki Okajima has put together as a set up to Jonathan Papelbon. While his 2008 season wasn't up as dominant as his rookie year, Okajima was still more consistent than Damaso Marte.

If Marte and either Brian Bruney or Jose Veras can provide a consistent bridge to Mariano Rivera, the Yankees could move ahead of the Red Sox in the bullpen ranking.

Offense

A healthy Alex Rodriguez makes the difference between a very good Yankees lineup and one that will strike fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. A-Rod will also be the difference between the Yankees lineup and that of the Red Sox and Rays.

Defense

The Yankees have a dynamite right side of the infield now that Mark Teixeira is manning first base. Robinson Cano is yet to receive some well deserved recognition for his defensive play, as most talking heads focus on his offense. Jorge Posada's health will make a difference not only offensively, but defensively as well. If Posada can't go, Jose Molina will step in as the best defensive catcher in the division.

Overall, the Yankees defense is pretty good, but along with the Ray, it's below that of the Red Sox, who have top notch defenders at most positions.


So who wins it the division?

The Yankees. This race will be close, but the Yankees are going to hold on, and because of their pitching and defense, the Red Sox will edge out the Rays for the AL wildcard.

We think it will take a minimum 94 wins to wrap up the AL East.