AL EAST PREVIEW

What can I say about the AL East that the rest of America hasn't already said? The Yankees are stacked despite the A-Rod injury and scandal, the Red Sox are always a trendy but solid pick, the Rays have captured the attention and heart of millions of casual and front running fans in the US, and the Blue Jays remain competitive up in our northern neighbors domain.

The Yankees abandoned their recent approach of promoting young prospects and went hog wild in free agency. Looking at this team you wouldn't know that we were in a recession. CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixiera all inked monster deals with the Bronx bombers. More experience for young guys like Chamberlain, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano (no way he's as bad as his numbers showed last year), along with returning all stars Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano Rivera and a healthy Hideki Matsui should spell a ton of runs with stellar pitching for this team. I don't like the Yankees but I just feel like they're due to return to their position on top of this division and the top of baseball in October. If they make the playoffs I don't know that anybody can mess with their rotation and power. My prediction: First and front runners for the whole thing in October.

The Rays are the sexiest pick in all of baseball. I'm not sold. I love their team and their potential, I just worry about how much they're relying on youngsters like Evan Longoria. Longoria is on his way to being a stud but young players seem to take a step backwards in their second year. Still, with the most underappreciated player of the last decade (Carl Crawford) and a nice rotation, the Rays will compete with the BoSox for first runner up behind the Yankees and probably a wild card position.

The Red Sox could be in trouble this year. David Ortiz struggled last year and will sorely miss Man Ram's protection in the lineup. Beckett seemed to have lost his dominance last year and Dice K will be easier to figure out in his second year in the US. I love Jacoby Ellsbury and his speed, Pedroia and how he reminds me of Craig Biggio with some more pop, and Jason Bay. It's more of a gut feeling and a desire to see "The Nation" bitch and moan about the Yankees "buying players" than anything, but I think this is the year that the Sox relinquish their spot in October.

The Blue Jays lost AJ Burnett which will hurt because the guy just eats innings and gives solid results when healthy. They have some solid players that will keep them competitive and it'll be interesting to see if Halladay gets dealt if they're out of contention in July. They could compete in the West but there's just way too much in NY, Boston, and TB for the Blue Birds to hang in there this year.

Well that's all I have for the Al East.
Wait...
I'm forgetting something...
Oh yeah!
The Orioles.
Yepp, that's all I have to say about them.

Look for the last update from Ryan before tomorrow night's season opener.