Baltimore Orioles
2006 ? 70-92 (4th place American League East)
Key additions
RP Danys Baez (5-6, 4.53 ERA) Atlanta Braves
RP Chad Bradford (4-2, 2.90 ERA) New York Mets
RP Jamie Walker (0-1, 2.81 ERA) Detroit Tigers
SP Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97 ERA) Mets
SP Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA) New York Yankees
1B Aubrey Huff (.267 21 HR 66 RBI) Houston Astros
OF Jay Payton (.296 10 HR 59 RBI) Oakland Athletics
Key losses
SP Rodrigo Lopez (9-18, 5.90 ERA) to Colorado Rockies
RP LaTroy Hawkins (3-2, 4.48 ERA) to Rockies
SP Kris Benson (11-12, 4.82 ERA) season ending injury
Lineup
The O?s added plenty of depth and experience with the offseason acquisitions of Jay Payton and Aubrey Huff to compliment an already fine crop of rising stars. Brian Roberts is coming off back-to-back stellar seasons, Jay Gibbons has 30 HR potential and rookie outfielder Nick Markakis hit .311 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in the second half of last season. Toss in veterans Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez and perennial all-star Miguel Tejada, and this squad has the makings on an extremely gifted group. Grade: B
Pitching staff
Baltimore?s 5.27 bullpen ERA was the second worst in the American League last year causing the front office to do some major revamping. Proven relievers Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker and Danys Baez were brought in to help bridge the gap between a young starting staff and closer Chris Ray (33 saves).
In the rotation, out are Rodrigo Lopez and Bruce Chen (combined 9-25 with a 6.27 ERA), in are Jaret Wright and Steve Trachsel (26-15, 4.75). The season-ending loss of Kris Benson will hurt, but young hurlers Adam Loewen and Hayden Penn will get a chance to strut their stuff. Staff ace Erik Bedard (15-11. 3.76) is a future all-star. Grade C+
Prediction: 86-76 4th place American League East
Boston Red Sox
2006 record: 86-76 (3rd place American League East)
Key additions
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka (17-5, 2.13 ERA) Seibu, Japan
RP Joel Pineiro (8-13, 6.36 ERA) Seattle Mariners
RP Brendan Donnelly (6-0, 3.94 ERA) Los Angeles Angels
RP J.C. Romero (1-2, 6.70 ERA) Angels
SS Julio Lugo (.278 12 HR 24 SB) Los Angeles Dodgers
OF J.D. Drew (.283 20 HR 100RBI .393 OBP) Dodgers
Key losses
RP Keith Foulke (3-1, 4.35 ERA) to Cleveland Indians (retired)
SS Alex Gonzalez (.255 9 HR 50 RBI .985 FLD%) to Cincinnati Reds
2B Mark Loretta (.285 5 HR 59 RBI) to Houston Astros
OF Trot Nixon (.268 8 HR 52 RBI) to Indians
Lineup
For the first time in nine years the Red Sox didn?t finish second to the New York Yankees in the American League East. A third-place finish may have been the reason the Boston brass decided to overhaul the team for the second straight season. With Johnny Damon defecting to the Bronx last year, the BoSox had little success finding a capable leadoff hitter. New addition Julio Lugo should be the much-needed catalyst at the top of an impressive lineup that still has super-sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz anchoring the heart of the order.
The outfield will consist of oft-injured J.D. Drew who replaces oft-injured Trot Nixon in right field and Coco Crisp who has nowhere else to go but up after a disappointing and injury filled 2006. Look for 25 year-old Wily Mo Pena (.301, 11 HR in 276 ABs) to steal at-bats in the outfield or jump in to replace Drew when he ultimately lands on the DL, a situation that will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Grade: A
Pitching staff
While the jury is out on weather or not Daisuke Matsuzaka will be the next Hideo Nomo or Hideki Irabu, Boston will field an impressive rotation regardless. Super-closer Jonathan Papelbon leaves the bullpen to join Matsuzaka in a stable that already has studs Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett. If sophomore Jon Lester (7-2, 4.76 ERA) can successfully recover from large cell lymphoma, Tim Wakefield could stabilize a bullpen that relied heavily on unproven youngsters for the majority of last season. Add experienced major league relievers Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly and J.C. Romero to the mix, and the back end fills out nicely. Pineiro could be the favorite for saves until prospect Craig Hansen eases into the role, with Donnelly and Romero playing the righty/lefty setup tandem. Grade: A-
Prediction: 100-62, second place AL East
New York Yankees
2006 ? 97-65 (first place American League East)
Key additions:
SP Kei Igawa (13-9, 3.11) Hanshin, Japan
SP Andy Pettitte (14-13, 4.20) Houston Astros
1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.283 4 HR 43 RBI .996 FLD percentage) Kansas City Royals
Key losses:
SP Randy Johnson (17-11, 5.00 ERA) to Arizona Diamonbacks
SP Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA) to Baltimore Orioles
OF Gary Sheffield (.298 6 HR 25 RBI) to Detroit Tigers
OF Bernie Williams (.281 12 HR 61 RBI) unsigned
Lineup
Last season the Yankees had to to rely on the aging Bernie Williams much more than expected. Early season injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui (234 games missed combined) forced Williams to play 89 games in outfield with youngsters Andy Phillips and Melky Cabrera also seeing a lot of action. With iron-handed Jason Giambi at first base and Alex Rodriguez?s uncharacteristic throwing woes, the Bombers struggled with a .983 fielding percentage, fourth worst in the American League.
Enter Doug Mientkiewicz. Although Mientkiewicz carries a feather for a bat (59 career homes in 10 seasons), the 2001 Gold Glove winner will vacuum up A-Rod?s errant throws and allow the Yanks to move Giambi back to DH where he belongs. With a full year from late-season addition Bobby Abreu and a healthy Matsui, New York will be able to field a consistent and formidable lineup that can easily carry Mietkiewicz?s lack of offense. Grade: A+
Pitching Staff
Last year, old arms and injuries plagued the rotation for most of the season. Randy Johnson won 17 games despite a lofty 5.00 ERA, castoff Sidney Ponson was a disaster as the fifth starter and Carl Pavano didn?t pitch at all. Luckily Mike Mussina was his usual self winning 15 games and second-year hurler Chien-Ming Wang had a Cy Young caliber season, going 19-6 with a tidy 3.63 ERA.
This year?s staff may look better on paper, but old-timers Pettite and Mussina will have to shoulder the load for the rotation. Kei Igawa has struggled in spring training and Pavano still is not 100 percent. The blessing in disguise here is that when the disabled list claims one of their geriatrics, phenom Phil Hughes (10-3, 2.09 ERA 138 Ks in Double-A) might make his must anticipated debut. Grade: B+
Prediction: 103-59 first place American League East
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
2006 ? 61-101 (fifth place American League East)
Key additions
3B Akinori Iwamura (.311 32 HR 77 RBI) Tokyo, Japan
Key losses
RP Tyler Walker (1-3, 4.95 ERA 10 SV) to San Francisco Giants
Lineup
This year?s squad won?t look much different from the one that lost 101 games last season. The Rays have an electrifying young outfield that will be expected to carry much of the offensive load. With Rocco Baldelli finally healthy (232 games missed since 2004) and can?t-miss prospect Delmon Young complimenting all-world left fielder Carl Crawford, there is a lot to be excited about at the top of the D-Rays lineup.
After that, there are a lot of question marks. Will B.J. Upton ever live up to expectations or learn to play defense? Can DH Jonny Gomes improve on his .241 lifetime average? Is Jorge Cantu the player who drove in 117 runs in 2005 or the one who hit .249 in 2006? Will Ty Wiggington repeat last year?s breakout performance (24 HR, 79 RBI)?
Not even Ken Jennings would have the answers to all of those questions. Grade: C+
Pitching staff
If Tampa Bay?s front office was as good at drafting pitchers as they were outfielders, they might avoid cracking the 100-loss plateau for the fourth time in the team?s brief history. Scott Kazmir is a legitimate talent, but after him, it gets ugly. Guys like Casey Fossum, Jae Seo, James Shields, Tim Corcoran and Jae-Kuk Ryu (combined 5.14 ERA) will round out the rotation, giving the pitching coach more headaches than hope. In the American League East that simply won?t cut it. Grade: D
Prediction: 62-100 fifth place American League East
Toronto Blue Jays
2006 ? 87-75 (second place American League East)
Key additions
SS Royce Clayton (.258 14SB .996 FLD percentage) Cincinnati Reds
DH Frank Thomas (39 HR 114 RBI) Oakland Athletics
SP Tomo Ohka (4-5, 4.82 ERA) Milwaukee Brewers
SP John Thomson (2-7, 4.82 ERA) Atlanta Braves
SP Victor Zambrano (1-2, 6.75 ERA) New York Mets
Key losses
SP Ted Lilly (15-13, 4.31 ERA) to Chicago Cubs
RP Justin Speier (2-0, 2.98 ERA) to Los Angeles Angels
C Bengie Molina (.284 19 HR 57 RBI) to San Francisco Giants
OF Frank Catalanotto (.300 7 HR 56 RBI) to Texas Rangers
Lineup
A rotating middle infield last year forced the Jays to sign veteran journeyman Royce Clayton to lock up the shortstop position. Clayton will help solidify things up the middle, but will be lucky to out hit utility man John McDonald (career .236 BA). Designated hitter Frank Thomas heads north of the border after a resurgence in Oakland last season. The 38-year-old is penciled in as the cleanup hitter between All-Stars Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus, giving Toronto a fearsome yet fragile batting order. The departure of Frank Catalanotto opens up the left field and leadoff positions for scrappy Reed Johnson (.319, 12 HR 49 RBI) who will have to prove he can provide last year?s stats over the course of a full season. Grade: A-
Pitching staff
The loss of 15-game winner Ted Lilly and the failure to sign free-agent Gil Meche left the Jays with gaping holes at the end of the rotation. Apparently that forced Jays? GM J.P. Ricciardi to spend the rest of the offseason hanging out at rehab clinics because he signed three starting pitchers who combined to make only 38 starts last season. If any combination of Victor Zambrano, John Thomson or Tomo Ohka can stay healthy enough to fill the four and five spots, they could end up being a bargain, but don't count on it. Ace Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and Gustavo Chacin have the first three spots locked up, but all three missed time last year with injuries, so unless the stars align don?t be surprised to find the Blue Birds raiding the minors to fill the rotation - just like last season. Grade: C+
Prediction: 91-71 third place American League East
More MLB Headlines
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Sabathia says he's OK to start on opening day
Huff, Orioles form a perfect match
Arizona Diamondbacks team preview
Pavano named Yankees' opening-day starter
2006 ? 70-92 (4th place American League East)
Key additions
RP Danys Baez (5-6, 4.53 ERA) Atlanta Braves
RP Chad Bradford (4-2, 2.90 ERA) New York Mets
RP Jamie Walker (0-1, 2.81 ERA) Detroit Tigers
SP Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97 ERA) Mets
SP Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA) New York Yankees
1B Aubrey Huff (.267 21 HR 66 RBI) Houston Astros
OF Jay Payton (.296 10 HR 59 RBI) Oakland Athletics
Key losses
SP Rodrigo Lopez (9-18, 5.90 ERA) to Colorado Rockies
RP LaTroy Hawkins (3-2, 4.48 ERA) to Rockies
SP Kris Benson (11-12, 4.82 ERA) season ending injury
Lineup
The O?s added plenty of depth and experience with the offseason acquisitions of Jay Payton and Aubrey Huff to compliment an already fine crop of rising stars. Brian Roberts is coming off back-to-back stellar seasons, Jay Gibbons has 30 HR potential and rookie outfielder Nick Markakis hit .311 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in the second half of last season. Toss in veterans Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez and perennial all-star Miguel Tejada, and this squad has the makings on an extremely gifted group. Grade: B
Pitching staff
Baltimore?s 5.27 bullpen ERA was the second worst in the American League last year causing the front office to do some major revamping. Proven relievers Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker and Danys Baez were brought in to help bridge the gap between a young starting staff and closer Chris Ray (33 saves).
In the rotation, out are Rodrigo Lopez and Bruce Chen (combined 9-25 with a 6.27 ERA), in are Jaret Wright and Steve Trachsel (26-15, 4.75). The season-ending loss of Kris Benson will hurt, but young hurlers Adam Loewen and Hayden Penn will get a chance to strut their stuff. Staff ace Erik Bedard (15-11. 3.76) is a future all-star. Grade C+
Prediction: 86-76 4th place American League East
Boston Red Sox
2006 record: 86-76 (3rd place American League East)
Key additions
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka (17-5, 2.13 ERA) Seibu, Japan
RP Joel Pineiro (8-13, 6.36 ERA) Seattle Mariners
RP Brendan Donnelly (6-0, 3.94 ERA) Los Angeles Angels
RP J.C. Romero (1-2, 6.70 ERA) Angels
SS Julio Lugo (.278 12 HR 24 SB) Los Angeles Dodgers
OF J.D. Drew (.283 20 HR 100RBI .393 OBP) Dodgers
Key losses
RP Keith Foulke (3-1, 4.35 ERA) to Cleveland Indians (retired)
SS Alex Gonzalez (.255 9 HR 50 RBI .985 FLD%) to Cincinnati Reds
2B Mark Loretta (.285 5 HR 59 RBI) to Houston Astros
OF Trot Nixon (.268 8 HR 52 RBI) to Indians
Lineup
For the first time in nine years the Red Sox didn?t finish second to the New York Yankees in the American League East. A third-place finish may have been the reason the Boston brass decided to overhaul the team for the second straight season. With Johnny Damon defecting to the Bronx last year, the BoSox had little success finding a capable leadoff hitter. New addition Julio Lugo should be the much-needed catalyst at the top of an impressive lineup that still has super-sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz anchoring the heart of the order.
The outfield will consist of oft-injured J.D. Drew who replaces oft-injured Trot Nixon in right field and Coco Crisp who has nowhere else to go but up after a disappointing and injury filled 2006. Look for 25 year-old Wily Mo Pena (.301, 11 HR in 276 ABs) to steal at-bats in the outfield or jump in to replace Drew when he ultimately lands on the DL, a situation that will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Grade: A
Pitching staff
While the jury is out on weather or not Daisuke Matsuzaka will be the next Hideo Nomo or Hideki Irabu, Boston will field an impressive rotation regardless. Super-closer Jonathan Papelbon leaves the bullpen to join Matsuzaka in a stable that already has studs Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett. If sophomore Jon Lester (7-2, 4.76 ERA) can successfully recover from large cell lymphoma, Tim Wakefield could stabilize a bullpen that relied heavily on unproven youngsters for the majority of last season. Add experienced major league relievers Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly and J.C. Romero to the mix, and the back end fills out nicely. Pineiro could be the favorite for saves until prospect Craig Hansen eases into the role, with Donnelly and Romero playing the righty/lefty setup tandem. Grade: A-
Prediction: 100-62, second place AL East
New York Yankees
2006 ? 97-65 (first place American League East)
Key additions:
SP Kei Igawa (13-9, 3.11) Hanshin, Japan
SP Andy Pettitte (14-13, 4.20) Houston Astros
1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.283 4 HR 43 RBI .996 FLD percentage) Kansas City Royals
Key losses:
SP Randy Johnson (17-11, 5.00 ERA) to Arizona Diamonbacks
SP Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA) to Baltimore Orioles
OF Gary Sheffield (.298 6 HR 25 RBI) to Detroit Tigers
OF Bernie Williams (.281 12 HR 61 RBI) unsigned
Lineup
Last season the Yankees had to to rely on the aging Bernie Williams much more than expected. Early season injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui (234 games missed combined) forced Williams to play 89 games in outfield with youngsters Andy Phillips and Melky Cabrera also seeing a lot of action. With iron-handed Jason Giambi at first base and Alex Rodriguez?s uncharacteristic throwing woes, the Bombers struggled with a .983 fielding percentage, fourth worst in the American League.
Enter Doug Mientkiewicz. Although Mientkiewicz carries a feather for a bat (59 career homes in 10 seasons), the 2001 Gold Glove winner will vacuum up A-Rod?s errant throws and allow the Yanks to move Giambi back to DH where he belongs. With a full year from late-season addition Bobby Abreu and a healthy Matsui, New York will be able to field a consistent and formidable lineup that can easily carry Mietkiewicz?s lack of offense. Grade: A+
Pitching Staff
Last year, old arms and injuries plagued the rotation for most of the season. Randy Johnson won 17 games despite a lofty 5.00 ERA, castoff Sidney Ponson was a disaster as the fifth starter and Carl Pavano didn?t pitch at all. Luckily Mike Mussina was his usual self winning 15 games and second-year hurler Chien-Ming Wang had a Cy Young caliber season, going 19-6 with a tidy 3.63 ERA.
This year?s staff may look better on paper, but old-timers Pettite and Mussina will have to shoulder the load for the rotation. Kei Igawa has struggled in spring training and Pavano still is not 100 percent. The blessing in disguise here is that when the disabled list claims one of their geriatrics, phenom Phil Hughes (10-3, 2.09 ERA 138 Ks in Double-A) might make his must anticipated debut. Grade: B+
Prediction: 103-59 first place American League East
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
2006 ? 61-101 (fifth place American League East)
Key additions
3B Akinori Iwamura (.311 32 HR 77 RBI) Tokyo, Japan
Key losses
RP Tyler Walker (1-3, 4.95 ERA 10 SV) to San Francisco Giants
Lineup
This year?s squad won?t look much different from the one that lost 101 games last season. The Rays have an electrifying young outfield that will be expected to carry much of the offensive load. With Rocco Baldelli finally healthy (232 games missed since 2004) and can?t-miss prospect Delmon Young complimenting all-world left fielder Carl Crawford, there is a lot to be excited about at the top of the D-Rays lineup.
After that, there are a lot of question marks. Will B.J. Upton ever live up to expectations or learn to play defense? Can DH Jonny Gomes improve on his .241 lifetime average? Is Jorge Cantu the player who drove in 117 runs in 2005 or the one who hit .249 in 2006? Will Ty Wiggington repeat last year?s breakout performance (24 HR, 79 RBI)?
Not even Ken Jennings would have the answers to all of those questions. Grade: C+
Pitching staff
If Tampa Bay?s front office was as good at drafting pitchers as they were outfielders, they might avoid cracking the 100-loss plateau for the fourth time in the team?s brief history. Scott Kazmir is a legitimate talent, but after him, it gets ugly. Guys like Casey Fossum, Jae Seo, James Shields, Tim Corcoran and Jae-Kuk Ryu (combined 5.14 ERA) will round out the rotation, giving the pitching coach more headaches than hope. In the American League East that simply won?t cut it. Grade: D
Prediction: 62-100 fifth place American League East
Toronto Blue Jays
2006 ? 87-75 (second place American League East)
Key additions
SS Royce Clayton (.258 14SB .996 FLD percentage) Cincinnati Reds
DH Frank Thomas (39 HR 114 RBI) Oakland Athletics
SP Tomo Ohka (4-5, 4.82 ERA) Milwaukee Brewers
SP John Thomson (2-7, 4.82 ERA) Atlanta Braves
SP Victor Zambrano (1-2, 6.75 ERA) New York Mets
Key losses
SP Ted Lilly (15-13, 4.31 ERA) to Chicago Cubs
RP Justin Speier (2-0, 2.98 ERA) to Los Angeles Angels
C Bengie Molina (.284 19 HR 57 RBI) to San Francisco Giants
OF Frank Catalanotto (.300 7 HR 56 RBI) to Texas Rangers
Lineup
A rotating middle infield last year forced the Jays to sign veteran journeyman Royce Clayton to lock up the shortstop position. Clayton will help solidify things up the middle, but will be lucky to out hit utility man John McDonald (career .236 BA). Designated hitter Frank Thomas heads north of the border after a resurgence in Oakland last season. The 38-year-old is penciled in as the cleanup hitter between All-Stars Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus, giving Toronto a fearsome yet fragile batting order. The departure of Frank Catalanotto opens up the left field and leadoff positions for scrappy Reed Johnson (.319, 12 HR 49 RBI) who will have to prove he can provide last year?s stats over the course of a full season. Grade: A-
Pitching staff
The loss of 15-game winner Ted Lilly and the failure to sign free-agent Gil Meche left the Jays with gaping holes at the end of the rotation. Apparently that forced Jays? GM J.P. Ricciardi to spend the rest of the offseason hanging out at rehab clinics because he signed three starting pitchers who combined to make only 38 starts last season. If any combination of Victor Zambrano, John Thomson or Tomo Ohka can stay healthy enough to fill the four and five spots, they could end up being a bargain, but don't count on it. Ace Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and Gustavo Chacin have the first three spots locked up, but all three missed time last year with injuries, so unless the stars align don?t be surprised to find the Blue Birds raiding the minors to fill the rotation - just like last season. Grade: C+
Prediction: 91-71 third place American League East
More MLB Headlines
Hawpe's ankle ready for opening day
Rogers has surgery to remove blood clot, out until July
Sabathia says he's OK to start on opening day
Huff, Orioles form a perfect match
Arizona Diamondbacks team preview
Pavano named Yankees' opening-day starter
