2012 AL East Predictions

[Cathy]

Predict the order in which you think the AL East Teams will finish in 2012.


New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I am not going to make a prediction yet. ST games haven't even been played yet.

The only "prediction" that I make right now is that I think it will be a close race between the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Rays.
Regarding the old players on the Yankees' roster, it will all depend on how the injury bug will hit the Yankees.

[scooterbracy]

For the first time in several seasons, I can say I LOVE what the Yankees did this off-season. I'm worried about their old legs, but for the first time in several years, I don't hate their rotation. I feel bad for the Rays...they really have a god awful stadium and the production quality of their telecasts is crap. When I lived in Syracuse, I suffered through Mets and Yankees (don't care for either team) telecasts and drove down for a couple of their home games. When I lived in Virginia, I did the same for the Orioles and Nationals (although, I like the Nats now). I've lived about 40 minutes from the Rays for nearly three years now. I've been to one game and watched maybe a half dozen on TV, and I really like the Rays. Love what the Blue Jays are doing and hated what the Red Sox did, but I think Bobby V. will be good there. The O's are the O's and will continue to be so for quite some time. Top four (I think the Blue Jays break out a bit more this season) are pretty close, but the Orioles just plain stink.

Rays, Yankees, BLUE JAYS, Red Sox, "50 feet of crap", the Orioles.

[WilsonC]

My current projections:
Yankees (95-67)
Red Sox (94-68)
Rays (94-68)
Blue Jays (86-76)
Orioles (76-86)

The top three are really close. I give the Red Sox the edge in hitting, and the Rays have the most pitching depth, but the overall balance of the Yankees gives them a slight edge to me. These are three very good teams, and any of them could win close to 100 games with the right breaks.

The Jays will be a really interesting team to watch this year - they have a ton of upside, but also risk. The offense should hit - they were fifth in the AL last year, and they're replacing a gaggle of mediocrity with some interesting players (mostly acquired throughout the year) - and they have enough breakout candidates that they could be a serious offensive team. The real question is their pitching: in 2011, it was pretty weak, and there's as much risk going into 2012. There's also a lot of upside, though, and an improved bullpen. There's enough young, talented arms that it could be one of the deepest pitching teams in the league, but enough risk that it could be Romero and Morrow and three days of sorrow (and Morrow carries with him risk as well). I wouldn't be surprised if they win over 90, but also wouldn't be surprised if they struggle to make .500 again.

And the Orioles... The hitting has a chance to be above average, but I don't see a scenario where the pitching improves enough to make them relevant. They've got some interesting parts, but too many holes on the team for a short-term fix.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

If only the Rays could get a couple of good hitters (not necessarily power hitters), they would be hard to beat.

[Charlotte Red Sox]

a little early for predictions

but I will say

it's easier to see the Yanks or the Rays winning the division then the Red Sox IMO

[yankeebiscuitfan]

a little early for predictions

but I will say

it's easier to see the Yanks or the Rays winning the division then the Red Sox IMO
I count the Red Sox in as contender. (On paper) they have one of the best rotations in the AL.

[Cathy]

I count the Red Sox in as contender. (On paper) they have one of the best rotations in the AL.

Care to explain how?



Wake retired, Lackey is out for the season. Dice-K is out for most (if not all) of the season. The only ones that are left are Bard (if he is even able to handle a starting role), Beckett and Lester.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Darn. I forgot about Dice-K. I thought he would be back this season. I didn't count on Wakefield anyway. He mainly pitched out of the bullpen.
I still see Beckett as a good pitcher. Sure he had a down year but he can easily have a bounce back year. But even with him in good shape, I must admit that your rotation is thin.