The teams in the American League East have looked for help to win from the talented Japanese players to win the division, as the Boston Red Sox signed Daisuke Mastuzaka to a $104 Million deal, in the hope that this will bring the Red Sox their second World Series Championship since 1918. The New York Yankees signed the next best pitcher available, as they signed lefty Kei Igawa to a deal. The Devil Rays acquired the versatile Okinori Iwamura.
If Daisuke Mastuzaka is even half as good as the hype, The Boston Red Sox appear to have found a very good and durable starter for the future. The Red Sox have replaced Trot Nixon with J.D. Drew, and Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are sure to slam a lot of homeruns out of Fenway Park. Can the Red Sox finally pass the "Evil Empire" for the first time in ten years? They ceratinly could do that this year.
The New York Yankees are getting older, but they are trying to get younger. The trade of Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson for Minor League pitchers is a sign that the Yankees are trying to get younger. The Yankees also have a future starter in the twenty year old phenom Phillip Hughes. A-Rod is probably going to hit 40+ homeruns, as will Jason Giambi, even though he is headed to full time Designated Hitter duties. The Yankees also signed the second best Japanese pitcher, left hander Kei Igawa, to try and fill the void left by Randy Johnson. Will Andy Pettite remember that he is no longer in the American League? Will Roger Clemens come back? Will A-Rod show up in the postseason? As you can see, there are more questions than answers in the Bronx. If they can answer all of these questions, they should be able to hold off the Red Sox and win the division again?
Baltimore will not be a factor this year. Steve Traschel is not going to be the same as Kris Benson. Daniel Cabrera could become the next great Oriole pitcher. Nick Markakis could become a better outfielder than Jay Payton or Aubrey Huff. Huff appears to be headed for DH duties.
Toronto will try to build the team around Vernon Wells. Tomo Ohka is a slightly worse version of Ted Lilly. Frank Cottalanato is now in Arlington. The Blue Jays now have a powerful dessignated hitter in Frank Thomas.
Tampa Bay will finish in the cellar again, although Delmon Young could make Devil Ray fans forget all about Aubrey Huff. These D-Rays are still going to depend on their young pitchers, particularly Scott Kazmir and ephus-throwing Casey Fossum. The D-Rays have the potential to not lose 100 games this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment