The Red Sox have an uphill battle this season in the American League East, which may be the most competitive division in baseball this season.
The Yankees are among the favorites to win the pennant, the Blue Jays made key offseason acquisitions that should put them in the hunt for the playoffs, and the Rays, though they lost some big pieces, still return many of the players that helped them reach the World Series last season. The Orioles, a division doormat for years, aren’t a huge threat but they’re still improving.
It should be an exciting season within the division as the Rays defend their crown. Let’s see how the rest of the division stacks up:
New York Yankees
Manager: Aaron Boone, 4th season (236-148)
2020 finish: 33-27 record, 2nd in AL East; Lost in ALDS to Rays
Key additions: Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon
Notable losses: Adam Ottavino, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, James Paxton
The skinny: D.J. LeMahieu tested free agency, but the Yankees locked him up to a six-year deal to ensure that the second baseman will lead their talented lineup, the clear strength of the AL East favorites. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton anchor the middle of the order; the Yankees need them to stay healthy. Luke Voit surprised with 22 homers in 2020, and he’ll look to build on that while Aaron Hicks and Gleyber Torres help round out a balanced offense.
Pitching, however, has major question marks. Gerrit Cole, the clear-cut ace, impressed last year in his first season in pinstripes, but there are unknowns behind him. Tanaka is gone to Japan. Luis Severino, who missed all of last season after having Tommy John surgery, is expected back at some point this summer. The Yankees signed Kluber, but he’s not the same guy who won the Cy Young in 2014 and 2017 after suffering major injuries the last two years. Same with Taillon, who hasn’t pitched since 2019.
There are some issues in the bullpen, too. The Yankees traded Ottavino to the Red Sox, but their bullpen has already taken a hit this spring after Zack Britton injured his elbow, which required surgery and will keep him out until at least July.
Bottom line: The Yankees are division favorites, but nothing is guaranteed. They’ll at least be good enough to make the playoffs, but their health will decide how far they go.
Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: Charlie Montoyo, 3rd season (99-123)
2020 finish: 32-28, 3rd in AL East; Lost in AL Wild Card to Rays
Key additions: George Springer, Marcus Semien, Steven Matz, Kirby Yates
Notable losses: Travis Shaw, Ken Giles, Matt Shoemaker, Jonathan Villar
The skinny: After making the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Blue Jays made some big offseason additions, none bigger than the six-year, $150 million contract they gave Springer, the 30-year-old center fielder who some viewed as the best position player on the market. Springer will top one of the most exciting lineups in baseball that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette. Toescar Hernandez emerged as their best player last season, so it will be interesting what he can do in a full 162-game campaign. Semien was a quietly good signing that should provide quality defense.
Toronto’s rotation, though, is not exactly its strength. Hyun-Jin Ryu is the ace of the staff after a good first season with the Jays in which he finished third in Cy Young voting, but questions remain. Nate Pearson is probably their No. 2 starter, but he’s still inexperienced and mostly unproven. Toronto traded for Matz to provide some depth, but the back of the rotation doesn’t inspire confidence.
The Blue Jays are scrambling a bit in their bullpen as the season starts, too. They signed Yates to be their closer, but it was revealed last week that he’s expected to have season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Bottom line: The Blue Jays’ lineup will be good enough to put them in the mix for another playoff spot, but their subpar pitching will likely limit what this group can do.
Tampa Bay Rays
Manager: Kevin Cash, 7th season (454-416)
2020 finish: 40-20 record, 1st in AL East; Lost in World Series to Dodgers
Key additions: Chris Archer, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill
Notable losses: Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, Hunter Renfroe
The skinny: With their organization run as a small-market team, it wasn’t exactly surprising — but still interesting — that the Rays parted with two of their best pitchers from their World Series team, declining the option on Morton before trading Snell to San Diego. That leaves them with Tyler Glasnow and Ryan Yarbrough at the top of the rotation, and they added veterans Archer, Wacha and Hill to fill out the rest. They clearly took a step back in this department, which will hurt their chances of even returning to the postseason.
If the Rays can make the playoffs, it will have to be because of their offense. October hero Randy Arozarena will be counted on to carry the lineup, and they have a talented outfield that includes Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot. The Rays are hoping guys like Austin Meadows and Ji-Man Choi, who had underwhelming offensive seasons in 2020, can bounce back, while Brandon Lowe, who hit 14 homers in the shortened season, can continue his trajectory.
Bottom line: The Rays didn’t make many moves to bolster their squad this offseason — this is mostly the same squad that came a few games from winning the World Series. But if there’s anything we’ve learned about the Rays, it’s that they adjust and find a way. Don’t count them out.
Baltimore Orioles
Manager: Brandon Hyde, 3rd season (79-143)
2020 finish: 25-35, 4th in AL East
Key additions: Freddy Galvis
Notable losses: Alex Cobb, José Iglesias, Renato Núñez, Hanser Alberto
The skinny: The Orioles have suffered through four consecutive losing seasons, and though they somehow managed to not finish last in the division last year, 2021 looks to be the same as they continue their rebuild. The youth movement continued as they parted with some of their best veteran players, including trading Cobb and Iglesias to the Angels. Those deals netted the O’s more prospects and will clear the path for more chances for younger players this season; more moves could be coming.
The return of Trey Mancini is one of the best stories in baseball after he announced he’s cancer-free, and he should provide a nice boost for the O’s after he emerged two years ago with 35 homers. Ryan Mountcastle is still considered a rookie and after a strong 2020 debut, he could be a Rookie of the Year frontrunner this season. But there aren’t many other things to write home about with the 2021 Orioles. John Means is a lock to be their ace, but there’s plenty of unknowns behind him in the rotation, though the addition of veteran Félix Hernández could be a solid boost.
Bottom line: As it’s been lately, it continues to be about the future with the Orioles, who have and will continue to make moves this season that will set them up for the long haul. They’re almost certain to finish in the basement of the division again, a long way away from the other four teams.