MLB Preview: AL East again set to be the American League's premier division

Photo credit: Game Face

Closer Jonathan Papelbon and the Boston Red Sox ... remember them? (Getty Images)

By Ravi Shankar

Special to amNewYork

In the American League, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The league’s premier division, the AL East, will only get stronger in 2009 with the Red Sox overcoming issues, the Yankees adding talent and the Rays gaining much-needed playoff experience. AL Central teams failed to make significant offseason moves, leaving the 2009 pennant up for grabs. In the West, the Angels remain divine in their division despite the loss of slugger Mark Teixeira.

AL East

The Boston Red Sox, despite suffering from injuries (DH David Ortiz, SP Josh Beckett), under-performance (SP Clay Buchholz, C Jason Varitek) and drama (OF Manny Ramirez), posted 95 wins en route to the wild card and ALCS. A clean slate and bill of health make Boston the division favorite.

The New York Yankees saw their historic stadium's run and their 13-year playoff streak come to an end in 2008. In addition to a new ballpark, the Yanks will be sporting a new 1B in Mark Teixeira and much-needed pitching help with SPs CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett.

Make no mistake about it, the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays are good enough to compete in baseball’s toughest division. However, wild-card contention is much more likely than another 97-win pennant for 3B Evan Longoria and the league’s deepest rotation.

The Toronto Blue Jays rode their solid pitching to an 86-win season, but the loss of Burnett and their sheer lack of bats will drop them below the .500 mark in 2009.

The Baltimore Orioles will remain in the AL East basement because of their abysmal pitching staff, but look for rookie C Matt Wieters to make an immediate impact at and behind the plate.AL Central

The Minnesota Twins are as good a bet as any to eke out a pennant in baseball’s most wide-open division. A young, talented rotation and defense-oriented lineup could be complemented with another bat.

The Detroit Tigers were baseball’s biggest disappointment in 2008, slighted by shoddy defense and pitching injuries. A retooled infield and healthier pitching staff will enable them to contend again in the AL Central, but expectations of 1,000 runs are long gone.

A slow start in 2008 prompted the Cleveland Indians to deal staff ace Sabathia for prospects. If the Tribe’s future stars can arrive by mid-season, Cleveland may find itself in the race.

The Chicago White Sox will have a tough time scrapping out another division title due to a weaker rotation and aging lineup.

The Kansas City Royals may well improve their record for a fourth consecutive season in 2009, but are still several pieces away from making a run. Closer Joakim Soria, the “Mexicutioner,” has emerged as one of the league’s best shut-down men.

AL West

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were weaker than their 100 wins indicated, and that showed in a first round playoff exit. The loss of Teixeira leaves a gaping hole at 1B, but the remainder of the lineup and dependable pitching should carry the Halos to a third straight division title.

GM Billy Beane’s Oakland Athletics finally opened the war chest this offseason to acquire OF Matt Holliday and 1B Jason Giambi. Though Holliday, the former Rockie, won’t post Coors Field numbers, he’ll make the A’s competitive.

Another year goes by and the Texas Rangers still boast a Texas-sized offense with no semblance of a pitching staff. Club president Nolan Ryan’s attempts to address this issue will not bear fruit in 2009.

The Seattle Mariners spent big last offseason but were spent by season’s end, totaling 101 losses. An overhaul of the offense is likely needed to remake the M’s as a competitor.

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