MLB Preview: AL East

The 2008 season saw the rise of the Tampa Bay Rays, saw the Red Sox make the playoffs, and saw the Yankees say goodbye to "The House That Ruth Built" as well as miss the playoffs. The Yankees went on a Spending Spree in the offseason, luring CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixiera to the Bronx.

What is in store for 2009? Let's have a look.
NEW YORK YANKEES

the 2009 New York Yankees will open their new ballpark with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Texiera, but they will open the season without Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod had surgery and will miss perhaps a month. When he does return, it will be interesting to see how fans will react now that he has revealed that he took steroids when he was with the Texas Rangers.

This Yankees ballclub will score runs in bunches. A-Rod, Teixiera, Posada, and Brett Gardner will be expected to produce.

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has decided to flip-flop his batting order, batting Derek Jeter leadoff and Johnny Damon second. This is to avoid Jeter from hitting into double plays, and it answers the Trivia question, "Who was the first Yankee to bat in the New Yankee Stadium?"

This Yankees ballclub looks great on paper. Nothing short of a World Series victory will satisfy these fans.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The baltimore Orioles have Nick Markakis, and many other questionmarks. How will Koji Uegara fare in Major League Baseball? For many years he was Japan's second best pitcher, behind Daisuke Mastuzaka. Will Adam Eaton and Rich Hill fare in their new teams? Will Felix Pie finally become consistent?
Expect the Orioles to fight with Toronto for the cellar.
TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Tampa Bay Rays were the Cinderella Story of the 2008 season. They went from Cellar Dweller to American League Champions in just one season. Stars like Evan Longoria and Scott Kazmir shined this past season. David Price starts the Rays season in the bullpen. Expect him to head back to Tampa in May. What will the Rays do for an encore? Looking back on the history of the teams who have lost the World Series, the 2006 Tigers,and the 2007 Rockies have regressed. I am also expecting the Rays to endure a "World Series Hangover." I am not expecting them to finish better than third place this season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Toronto Blue Jays will be stuck in another mediocre season. They will not have much behind Roy Hallday. Vernon Wells and Scott Rolen will be most of the ble Jays offense in 2009.

BOSTON RED SOX

Dustin Pedroia was the smallest man in the Red Sox clubhouse, and he ended up taking home American League MVP Honors. The Red Sox and their rotation are stacked. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Mastuzaka,and Tim Wakefield. Let's not forget about the former Dodger Brad Penny and the longtime Atlanta Brave John Smoltz who is expected to head to Boston in July.

Offensively, Dustin Pedoria and David Ortiz will crush the ball. It will be interesting to see how Jason Bay will do in his first full season in Boston.

My Division Projections
1. NEW YORK YANKEES
With the money spent on this team, they will be expected to win the division. It will be a huge dissapointment if they don't.
2. Boston Red Sox
Their rotation is Scary Good.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Season's AL Champs will encounter a World Series hangover.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Roy Halladay is the team's best player, but he needs a lot of help.
5. Baltimore Orioles
They are still two years away from competing in the AL East.

In our next MLB Preview, we will preview the AL Central. Will The White Sox repeat as division Champions? What will the Twins do in their final season in the Metrodome? How will Kerry Wood and Maek DeRosa help the Indians? Find out in the next MLB Preview.