AL East 2010

[AFBlue]

No doubt sporting the most talented compilation of rosters in baseball, the AL East is shaping up to have a very competitive year. Of course the conversation begins with the World Series champion Yankees and their limitless payroll...

Yankees lost Johnny Damon, but they were able to pick up an everyday CF with the same kind of pop from the left side in Curtis Granderson. They lost Matsui, but picked up Nick Johnson. They traded some outfield depth (Melky Cabrera), but improved themselves immensely in the pitching department with Javier Vasquez.

As of right now their lineup and projected rotation is:

C Posada
1B Texiera
2B Cano
3B Rodriguez
SS Jeter
LF Gardner (or Winn)
CF Granderson
RF Swisher
DH Johnson

SP Sabathia
SP Burnett
SP Vazquez
SP Pettite
SP Hughes (or Joba, or Mitre)

The main concern for the Yankees has to be the lack of depth. It is a very long and rigorous 6-month schedule and there are inevitably going to be some injuries and rest-days. If the Yankees sustain a major injury or even just a bunch of minor ones, will they have enough firepower to stay on top?

Next up...the Rays (already a thread about the BoSox lineup)

[symple19]

I hope the Yankees all die (including the entire front office and even the secretaries) in some sort of fiery explosion, preferably one thats filmed.

[DBryant88]

+1

[DBryant88]

Starters
RH Josh Beckett
LH Jon Lester
RH John Lackey
RH Clay Buchholz
RH Tim Wakefield
RH Daisuke Matsuzaka

Bullpen
RH Jonathan Papelbon
RH Daniel Bard
LH Hideki Okajima
RH Ramon Ramirez
RH Manny Delcarmen
RH Boof Bonser
LH Brian Shouse

Lineup
C Victor Martinez
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Dustin Pedroia
3B Adrian Beltre
SS Marco Scutaro
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
CF Mike Cameron
RF JD Drew
DH David Ortiz

Bench
C Jason Varitek
IF Bill Hall
IF Mike Lowell
OF Jeremy Hermida

Here is the BoSox lineup one more time

[AFBlue]

***Up-front Note: This is the team I follow, so their analysis will be much more in-depth than the others. I would also welcome fans of other AL East teams to post profiles on their respective teams.***

The Rays were a surprise story in 2008, besting the BoSox in the ALCS and losing out to the Phillies in the world series. Their success was keyed by a talented young pitching staff and the emergence of one of the game's brightest young stars...Evan Longoria.

In 2009, the Rays played for the first time with expectations equal to their talent level, and though they didn't fall on their face (some expected regression, but also some positives)...they were unable to keep pace in the East with the big-spenders.

Going into 2010, here's the outlook...

The Rays have an offensive squad that goes toe-to-toe with the other AL East powerhouses at every position except Catcher. Carlos Pena (1B) and Carl Crawford (LF) are in contract years, Evan Longoria (3B) remains one of the game's best players, Ben Zobrist (2B/RF) and Jason Bartlett (SS) had breakout years, BJ Upton (CF) is primed for one and they have unprecedented youth and talent waiting in the wings. Some of those players are:

Sean Rodriguez (2B/SS/RF) - 24yr old acquired in Kazmir trade, he's a decent fielder at multiple positions and shows nice pop from the right side.

Matt Joyce (RF) - 25yr old acquired in Edwin Jackson trade, he's a good defensive corner outfielder that shows nice pop from the left side.

*These two should form a three-headed platoon with Ben Zobrist (2B/RF) and provide favorable matchups for the Rays.

Reid Brignac (SS/2B) - 24yr old Rays prospect, he's an excellent defensive infielder that has shown some pop from the left side.

*He should provide insurance against severe regression or injury from Jason Bartlett (SS). He's also likely the long-term answer for if/when Bartlett leaves.

Desmond Jennings (CF/LF) - 23yr old Rays prospect, he's an excellent defensive outfielder (plus range and instincts) with an advanced approach at the plate (great patience w/ above average contact).

*He will likely spend most, if not all year in AAA, but it's only to get him more "seasoning" and because the Rays FO will ensure that once he's up it's for good. Because Carl Crawford will likely command $12M/yr if not more in free agency, DJ figures in prominently to the Rays future...and because of him, it doesn't look all that bad.

Here is the projected lineup for 2010:

C Navarro (or Shoppach)
1B Pena
2B Zobrist (vRHP) / Rodriguez (vLHP)
3B Longoria
SS Bartlett
LF Crawford
CF Upton
RF Joyce (vRHP) / Zobrist (vLHP)
DH Burrell

Bench: C Shoppach, 1B/3B Aybar, OF Kapler

Now onto the pitchers...

[AFBlue]

Starting Pitching depth is a position of strength for the Rays.

They have all-around solid and underappreciated inning-eater James Sheilds as the staff "ace". I use the quotation marks because of the five starters he's probably fourth or fifth "stuff" wise. Still he uses a devastating change-up to keep hitters off-balance and has good command of all his pitches.

Next they follow with the three "stuff" guys...

Established starter Matt Garza (RHP) has electric 2 and 4-seam fastballs, with above-average slider and curve, young up-and-coming David Price (LHP) has an electric fastball and above-average slider, and rookie Wade Davis (RHP) has electric 2 and 4-seam fastballs with power curve. All three can struggle with command at times, but there's no denying they're immensely talented.

The last guy, Jeff Niemann, is a big RHP (6'9, 280lb) with a decent fastball (nice downhill action) and solid breaking ball that he should probably throw more. He was the lesser-known of the Rays rookie pitchers last year (Price was the other), but he actually performed the best.

So there's your starting rotation...

SP Shields
SP Garza
SP Niemann
SP Price
SP Davis

The Bullpen, a strength in '08, was actually one of the biggest reasons why they were unable to keep pace with the Yankees and BoSox last year. They had no "true" closer on the squad and were forced to play to the situation alot last year. Guys like JP Howell (LHP) and Grant Balfour (RHP) that had been huge for them in '08 tired out down the stretch.

The Rays' big addition this off-season was RHP Rafael Soriano, traded from the Atlanta Braves. He brings them their first legit closer in a very long time (Troy Percival does not count...I said "legit") and should help solidify the roles at the back-end of the rotation.

Right now the bullpen looks like this...

RP Soriano (closer)
RP Howell (set-up)
RP Balfour (set-up)
RP Wheeler (middle relief)
RP Benoit (middle relief)
RP Choate (lefty specialist)
RP Cormier (long relief)

The last comment I have about the Rays pitching staff is in regard to their depth. They have three main pitchers to keep an eye on if a pitcher severely struggles or gets injured.

Andy Sonnanstine (RHP) - 26yr old former Rays starter, he had a breakout year in '08 but struggled with command in '09. That plus his fringe-average "stuff" led to alot of ugly outings for Sonny. Still, he's established in the system and has had success at the MLB level. If the Rays need help in the short-term because of injury or could use more relief in the bullpen, he's likely to get the call.

Jake McGee (LHP) - 23yr old Rays prospect, he has an electric fastball (95+MPH with great movement) and developing off-speed stuff. He was a starting pitching prospect moving up the Rays farm system with Wade Davis but got sidetracked by TJ surgery. He now appears to be healthy and have most of his velo back. He'll do some more seasoning in AAA, but I would expect this electric lefty to make the roster as a reliever sometime this summer...and I expect him to stay there after.

Finally...Jeremy Hellickson (RHP) - 22yr old Rays prospect, he has three above average pitches (fastball, curveball, change-up). His greatest strength is his command of all three pitches. He also has an advanced feel for the game. He'll likely spend most, if not all year in AAA getting more seasoning, but like with Jennings...when the FO brings him up, it should be for good.

Okay, that's my Rays scouting report for 2010. And I'm spent.

[symple19]

Got nothing against you AF Blue, just the team you follow.

I would presume you have a legit reason to be a Yankee fan??

Sure hope you're not a bandwagoner

[AFBlue]

Got nothing against you AF Blue, just the team you follow.

I would presume you have a legit reason to be a Yankee fan??

Sure hope you're not a bandwagoner

You might have misread me...I'm a Rays fan, which is why I followed with two seperate in-depth posts on their offense and pitching.

I'm most definitely NOT a Yankees fan.

[symple19]

You might have misread me...I'm a Rays fan, which is why I followed with two seperate in-depth posts on their offense and pitching.

I'm most definitely NOT a Yankees fan.

right on man :toast

[Mel_13]

No doubt sporting the most talented compilation of rosters in baseball, the AL East is shaping up to have a very competitive year. Of course the conversation begins with the World Series champion Yankees and their limitless payroll...

Yankees lost Johnny Damon, but they were able to pick up an everyday CF with the same kind of pop from the left side in Curtis Granderson. They lost Matsui, but picked up Nick Johnson. They traded some outfield depth (Melky Cabrera), but improved themselves immensely in the pitching department with Javier Vasquez.

As of right now their lineup and projected rotation is:

C Posada
1B Texiera
2B Cano
3B Rodriguez
SS Jeter
LF Gardner (or Winn)
CF Granderson
RF Swisher
DH Johnson

SP Sabathia
SP Burnett
SP Vazquez
SP Pettite
SP Hughes (or Joba, or Mitre)

The main concern for the Yankees has to be the lack of depth. It is a very long and rigorous 6-month schedule and there are inevitably going to be some injuries and rest-days. If the Yankees sustain a major injury or even just a bunch of minor ones, will they have enough firepower to stay on top?

Next up...the Rays (already a thread about the BoSox lineup)

No athlete plays at a high level forever and the Yankees have several important players who are past the age when performance levels normally start to decline. Posada, Jeter, Rodriguez, Pettitte, and Rivera are all getting up there and Pettitte is the only one that could be adequately replaced from within the organization.

They did get younger at two spots by essentially replacing Damon with Granderson and Matsui with Johnson. Granderson is coming off a poor season, but Yankee Stadium should suit his swing. Johnson has a history of injuries which the Yankees hope to avoid by using him almost exclusively as the DH.

Not much outfield depth with Granderson and Swisher filling two outfield spots. Gardner has less than one season of ML experience and it remains to be seen if he can be a starting outfielder on a team that expects to win. Randy Winn is veteran insurance, but could wind up starting. The last spot looks like it will come down to a player on a minor league deal (Marcus Thames) and a Rule 5 pick out of the Dodger organization (Jamie Hoffman).

Plenty of depth among the starters and in the bullpen, although one wonders how much longer Mariano Rivera can keep doing what he does. The options for a closer behind him (Joba, Hughes, and Robertson) are all very young and inexperienced.

For those interested in the Yankees, I would recommend this blog:

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

[florige]

I know we were not expected to win the Al East or anything, but the Orioles flat out suck ass. We need a new hitting coach or something.

[AFBlue]

I know we were not expected to win the Al East or anything, but the Orioles flat out suck ass. We need a new hitting coach or something.

Two series against the Rays, who had a very strong spring, didn't help the O's get off to a strong start. They also didn't have Wieters last night, so that didn't help.

With Wieters, Jones and Markakis the O's actually have nice long-term cornerstones. If Roberts were healthy, they'd have a really nice group of veteran support, which includes guys like Tejada and Scott.

Pitching-wise though, I'm not sure they've got the depth of staff or bullpen (especially with Gonzales struggling early). But, I do like their young lefty (Matusz)...reminds me of Price.

[lefty]

What's with the Yankees hate ?

[Mel_13]

What's with the Yankees hate ?

What planet did you just arrive from?

[bostonguy]

Man how Tampa has fallen. A month ago, they were in command of the AL East. Now they have fallen to 3rd place. Nice to see Boston only 3 games back of the Yanks. This is going to be a dramatic 3 team race.

[lefty]

What planet did you just arrive from?
Mars


Seriously whats with the Yankees hate?

[Mel_13]

Mars


Seriously whats with the Yankees hate?

Similar to Lakers hate. They're rich and successful, that combo breeds haters.

[LnGrrrR]

Similar to Lakers hate. They're rich and successful, that combo breeds haters.

This.

[lefty]

Similar to Lakers hate. They're rich and successful, that combo breeds haters.
Ah ok :lol

We prefer losers

[lefty]

This.
But you hate them anyway, because of the Bosox-NYY rivalry