Baseball 2021 (AL East)

We've reached the middle of March and the world is somewhat getting back to normal.  That means baseball season is getting awfully close!  It's less than two weeks until Opening Day, as a matter of fact.  So, now that baseball's back on it's normal schedule, it's time for my annual baseball preview!  As usual, it's divided into six parts.  And, as usual, the first part is the division I know best--the AL East.

Last season, the AL East put three teams in the playoffs, with the Rays winning the pennant.  It figures to be the strongest division in the American League again.  The Yankees were already one of the best teams in baseball and the Blue Jays got better.  Tampa Bay will be down compared to last year, but count the Rays out at your own peril, and the Red Sox won't be the mess they were last season.  Even the Orioles aren't a pushover, even if they're still a few years away from really contending.

So, at the very least, I'd expect the AL East to be in the mix for at least one of the wild cards (and maybe both) all season.  The Yankees are the clear favorite, but we all know they've had issues with players staying healthy.  They were streaky last season, which is what cost them the division.  But they've obviously got a lot more margin for error in a full six-month season.

If the Yankees stumble at all, look for the Blue Jays to pounce.  Toronto was one of the most active teams in free agency, and it'll either really pay off or be a huge waste.  My money's on the former.  And, if that proves to be the case, the Blue Jays are in really good shape to potentially be a wild card team.

1. New York Yankees: Eventually we're gonna see what the Yankees can do if their entire lineup is healthy at the same time for a large portion of the season.  And when that happens, look out!  Because, on paper, this is the best lineup in the American League.  They spent the entire offseason trying to make sure DJ LeMahieu stayed put.  Because he's that important.  With their leadoff hitter staying put, everything else fell into place.  The lineup is a little too right-handed for my liking.  But that's better than being too left-handed.

While the lineup remains essentially in tact, the pitching staff was almost completely overhauled.  Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and JA Happ all left as free agents, replaced by the high-risk, potentially high-reward Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon.  They've both looked great in Spring Training, and if they can pitch like they did before their injuries, those could be massive steals.  Domingo German has also looked great this spring, and should have a leg up on that No. 5 spot in the rotation.  Regardless, they have more than enough pitching behind Gerrit Cole to supplement that lineup, which makes them the obvious favorites not just to win the AL East, but to win the American League pennant.
Projected Lineup: DJ LeMahieu-2B, Aaron Judge-RF, Aaron Hicks-CF, Giancarlo Stanton-DH, Luke Voit-1B, Gleyber Torres-SS, Clint Frazier-LF, Gary Sanchez-C, Gio Urshela-3B
Projected Rotation: Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German
Closer: Aroldis Chapman
Projected Record: 97-65

2. Toronto Blue Jays: After snagging a postseason berth last season, the Blue Jays went all in for 2021.  They don't just want to get back to the playoffs.  They want to challenge the Yankees for the division title.  They've got the lineup to do it, but their pitching staff is a concern.  Can they challenge for a wild card, though?  Absolutely!

Among the newcomers are George Springer and Marcus Semien, who only make the Blue Jays' lineup that much more formidable.  They're gonna score a lot of runs.  They've also brought in former Padres closer Kirby Yates to shore up the back end of the bullpen.  It's their rotation that has the most question marks, though.  Can Hyn-Jin Ryu have another Cy Young-caliber season?  And what about veterans Robbie Ray, Steven Matz and Tanner Roark?  Can they hold up for a full season in the AL East?  And, let's not forget the fact that they have to start the season playing their home games in Florida.  How much of an impact will that have?
Projected Lineup: Cavan Biggio-3B, Marcus Seimen-2B, George Springer-CF, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.-DH, Randal Grichuk-RF, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.-LF, Rowdy Tellez-1B, Bo Bichette-SS, Danny Jansen-C
Projected Rotation: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Nate Pearson, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz, Tanner Roark
Closer: Kirby Yates
Projected Record: 87-75

3. Boston Red Sox: There's one thing about the 2021 Red Sox that really, really bothers me.  They re-hired Alex Cora as their manager as if nothing had happened.  It's just a bad look.  It makes it seem like they don't just condone his behavior masterminding the Houston garbage can scheme, but they only "fired" him last year because they had to since he was suspended anyway.  If it was up to them, they probably wouldn't have made him face any consequences at all, which just doesn't sit well with me.

Anyway, the team Cora takes back over is essentially last year's with a few changes.  Most notably, they've revamped their entire outfield, letting both Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. go.  This after trading Mookie Betts last year.  Now, the three B's in the outfield from their 2018 championship team are all playing elsewhere.  And I can't really say they've upgraded, either.  But they still have Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez, so they'll still score a bunch of runs.  Can their pitching staff avoid giving up just as many runs as they score?  That's the big question.  Especially since Chris Sale won't be back from his Tommy John surgery until the All-Star break at the earliest.
Projected Lineup: Kike Hernandez-2B, Rafael Devers-3B, Xander Bogaerts-SS, J.D. Martinez-DH, Hunter Renfroe-LF, Alex Verdugo-CF, Michael Chavis-1B, Franchy Cordero-RF, Christian Vazquez-C
Projected Rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Richards, Martin Perez, Nick Pivetta
Closer: Matt Barnes
Projected Record: 82-80

4. Tampa Bay Rays: One World Series appearance was apparently enough for the Rays, who decided to trade their best pitcher--Blake Snell--among others in an offseason full of activity.  Not that this came as a surprise.  The Rays turn their roster over every few years, yet still manage to remain competitive in the AL East.  And that should be the case again, even if they won't be nearly as strong this season.

Pitching has long been their thing, and it probably will be again.  But there are a lot more question marks about the rotation, which is now anchored by Tyler Glasnow and features the return of Chris Archer.  Rather, I think it's on the offensive end where the Rays will be formidable.  Especially with postseason hero Randy Arozarena plugged into the middle of the lineup for a full season.  However, with the Yankees and Blue Jays both getting better, a postseason return seems unlikely for Champa Bay.
Projected Lineup: Manuel Margot-RF, Yandy Diaz-3B, Randy Arozarena-LF, Brandon Lowe-2B, Austin Meadows-DH, Ji-Man Choi-1B, Willy Adames-SS, Kevin Kiermaier-CF, Mike Zunino-C
Projected Rotation: Tyler Glasnow, Ryan Yarbrough, Chris Archer, Michael Wacha, Collin McHugh
Closer: Diego Castillo
Projected Record: 81-81

5. Baltimore Orioles: It's gonna be another rough season in Baltimore, but things are at least getting better.  The Orioles have a pretty good young core, and it should only be enhanced when 2019 No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman makes his debut, which could be as early as this year.  They've already found some of the pieces to go alongside him, too.  Left fielder Ryan Mountcastle was impressive as a rookie last season, and center fielder Cedric Mullins also had a solid 2020.  And let's not forget Trey Mancini, who I'd argue is the Orioles' best player.

Then there's the pitching staff, which will really be the thing that determines how competitive the Orioles are.  John Means will start on Opening Day, as he should.  Behind him, though, are a couple reclamation projects, headlined by Felix Hernandez.  He's obviously not the same pitcher as he was in his prime anymore.  And I wonder if his 2020 opt-out after attending Spring Training 1.0 with Atlanta helped him or hurt him.  If he can turn back the clock to the King Felix of old, he gives the Orioles a solid 1-2.
Projected Lineup: Cedric Mullins-CF, Freddy Galvis-SS, Trey Mancini-1B, Anthony Santander-RF, Ryan Mountcastle-LF, DJ Stewart-DH, Pedro Severino-C, Maikel Franco-3B, Yolmer Sanchez-2B
Projected Rotation: John Means, Felix Hernandez, Wade LeBlanc, Dean Kremer, Keegan Akin
Closer: Shawn Armstrong
Projected Record: 64-98