AL East: Will The Yankees Win Again?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:59 am

Okay, we always talk about individual players on these boards, but for the next two weeks I want to talk about the divisional races and get your thoughts on which teams are going to win each division. Obviously, the success of the teams can lead to the success of individual players, so this is important. Each day for the next 6 days we'll talk about each division and the teams/players to watch. Then we'll pick the playoff winners and the World Series winners. Let's have some fun with this and get baseball talk REALLY rolling over the next few days.

Okay, the poll question is this: Which team will win the AL East title and why? Do the Yankees repeat again? Do the Red Sox have enough to finally win the AL East? Can the Blue Jays continue their improvement and surprise everyone with an AL East title? Can the young Devil Rays beat any of these heavyweights to finally jump out of the cellar?

And from this division, who will be the MVP of the AL East? Could it be one of the Yankee stars? Ortiz? Or will Matsuzaka have such a positive impact that he will be the most valuable player in this division. I know there's no award for that, but give me some players who will make the biggest impact in the AL East. Again, let's have some fun with this.

Tomorrow we'll discuss the AL Central.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:39 am

For the longest time I could not decide who the MVP of the AL East would be as I was hung up on either Meintkiewicz or Gibbons, but I am going to go off the board and say Alex Rodriguez will have a monster, impact year to the extent we will spend a lot of time on the boards next year trying to decide whether Pujols or Arod should be number one (again).

We all know he has the tools, but this year I think he has an ax to grind with all of the critism he has endured for his "off" year. He will post big numbers that will keep NY in the running despite a sub-par pitching staff only to lose out to the eventual AL East champs...Tampa Bay...I mean the BoSox.

[ February 19, 2007, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:15 am

The MVP of the AL East will be Abreu.

He was pretty much a stud the entire time of his Yankee days last season so the NY spotlight had no detrimental effect on his numbers. I think he prefers to be just another cog in the great Yankee machine as opposed to being the main man in Philly. And he is in his contract year (though he has a fairly large player option in 2008). So I see him putting up numbers this season worthy of a 1st round pick. MVP of the AL East and a sleeper based on his ADP.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:18 am

1)Which team will win the AL East title and why? Do the Yankees repeat again?

This one's easy, Yankees. Just too many weapons.

2) Can the Blue Jays continue their improvement and surprise everyone with an AL East title?

They're a longshot to overtake the Yankees. They're much improved, but their pitching isn't deep enough. They'd need the Yankees' pitching staff to get hit by injuries to even have a shot. They'd also need the Big Hurt to stay healthy on their turf for a full season, plus, have someone emerge as a solid #3(or pick up another arm via trade). If they could somehow sneak into the playoffs, they could be dangerous, with Halladay and AJ as their 1-2, but getting there will be very difficult to say the least.

3) Can the young Devil Rays beat any of these heavyweights to finally jump out of the cellar?

This is the toughest assignment on this list. They're too young and raw, and their pitching staff is very weak after Kazmir.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:09 am

MVP of the East - in terms of real baseball - Jeter, hands down.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:27 am

Originally posted by Liquidhippo:

MVP of the East - in terms of real baseball - Jeter, hands down. "Jeter's been blessed with great talent around him" and "he's never had to lead." Arod

BOSTON RED SOX 2007 AL EAST AND WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:55 am

Which team will win the AL East title and why? The Yankees, and I hate to say it, but they will be back as the best team in baseball this year. They'll be the highest scoring team in MLB, and will have a top 5 pitching staff within the AL. Do the Red Sox have enough to finally win the AL East? No, the biggest difference between them is that they can't match up with NY at the top of the lineup: Damon/Jeter versus Lugo/Youkilis. However, I do give them a slight 1-game edge in the wildcard race. Can the Blue Jays continue their improvement and surprise everyone with an AL East title? The Jays will stay in contention, but regress a little from last season and fall short of the playoffs. They're slightly behind NY and BOS in both hitting and pitching. Can the young Devil Rays beat any of these heavyweights to finally jump out of the cellar? Yes, they'll make it out of the cellar this season. The Orioles will slide to the bottom of the East. BAL lacks a top-tier bat, and obviously needs more pitching. And from this division, who will be the MVP of the AL East? A-Rod runs away with it; Jeter won't equal last year's numbers.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:50 am

Wow, no love for Toronto it looks like. I know it's a small sample poll right now, but the Yankees are the overriding favorites it looks like. Boston's pitching appears to be the drawback here. Keep the votes coming and we'll turn to another AL division tomorrow. Thanks everyone.

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:01 am

I voted for the Yankees.....but have no idea why they will try to win this year without a 1st baseman. For a team with this much money to proudly present 40 runs and 30 rbi with 5 HR from the 1st base position....is beyond odd

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:03 am

Yankees fans are all over fantasy baseball...that's why Jeter, and even their catcher get drafted well before they should

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:26 pm

this is an easy one. the YANKS overall starting pitching blows. the Red Sox will win this one by default, even with a no-name closer.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:25 pm

That must have been Patrick Welsh who voted for the Devil Rays!!

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:38 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

That must have been Patrick Welsh who voted for the Devil Rays!!

Yep right after he got high with Crawford and Upton..

He should know Dukes has to have the best

"stuff" in that clubhouse.

The Lollygaggers · Post by **The Lollygaggers** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:42 pm

When I ran the numbers a few days ago, I was surprised by how much better the Red Sox look (on paper) than the Yankees.

Offensively, I've got Boston as the best team in the majors for both OBP & SLG. While the Yankees are a close second in OBP, I've got them as only fifth in SLG. This could also be the year that New York's hitting starts to show its age: Cano is the only starter under 31, and seven of nine starters will be at least 33 this year.

Starting pitching is even more lopsided. Schilling/Matsuzaka/Beckett/Papelbon/Wakefield should have a much better combined ERA than Mussina/Wang/Pettitte/Igawa/Pavano. Even if Hughes works his way into the rotation at some point, I still show Boston with a commanding ERA lead among starters.

New York clearly has the superior bullpen at this point. But Boston can -- and will -- narrow that gap with a single acquisition if a closer doesn't emerge from their current roster.

I think both teams will make the playoffs. But I'd bet on Boston to win the division.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:32 pm

Originally posted by The Lollygaggers:

When I ran the numbers a few days ago, I was surprised by how much better the Red Sox look (on paper) than the Yankees.

Starting pitching is even more lopsided. Schilling/Matsuzaka/Beckett/Papelbon/Wakefield should have a much better combined ERA than Mussina/Wang/Pettitte/Igawa/Pavano. Even if Hughes works his way into the rotation at some point, I still show Boston with a commanding ERA lead among starters.

don't let sportswettingman read your comment. it agrees with what i posted earlier on this thread. he might consider you to be spam. :rolleyes:

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:20 am

Originally posted by The Lollygaggers:

New York clearly has the superior bullpen at this point. But Boston can -- and will -- narrow that gap with a single acquisition if a closer doesn't emerge from their current roster.

So, no faith that Pineiro will follow in the footsteps of other starters turned closers a la Eck, Smoltz, Gagne, etc.?

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:24 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

That must have been Patrick Welsh who voted for the Devil Rays!!

Yep right after he got high with Crawford and Upton..

He should know Dukes has to have the best

"stuff" in that clubhouse. [/QUOTE]I guess "lit them up" will take on a whole new meaning in Tampa.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:09 am

I guess the earlier thread and my response in it was deleted.

But for the record, I think Boston is the most likely to win that division (although the division could easily send two teams to the playoffs).

J.D. Drew - IF he can stay healthy will upgrade the outfield, as will a healthy Covelli Crisp.

Pedroia, while not a fantasy darling at 2B is a much better real life player and will help the defense and the clubhouse.

And if the projections are even close on DMats, the Yankees are way behind in the arms race.

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:21 am

The AL East will have a division winner going to the playoffs but that will be it. The Central is a cinch to have the wildcard.

TBill · Post by **TBill** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:45 am

This figues to be a close one, so I suspect Yankee tradition and (mostly) Big George's wallet to pervail. 1B or SP, sure, whatever you need. Papi and Arod to put up big nimbers but I hate chalk, so I'll go with Abreu.

Corkedbats · Post by **Corkedbats** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:48 am

DRAYS win the AL EAST? Slacker Dan was that your vote?

Only way the DRAYS will win 80 games is if they play in the PCL.

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:15 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

That must have been Patrick Welsh who voted for the Devil Rays!!

Somebody has to be delusional, right?

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:17 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

That must have been Patrick Welsh who voted for the Devil Rays!!

Yep right after he got high with Crawford and Upton..

[/QUOTE]Only if I brought my own. I try to stay away from the brothas schwag.