Previewing the AL East race
New York Yankees
Last year: 84-78 (2nd)
Gained: SS Didi Gregorius (Diamondbacks), 1B Garrett Jones (Marlins), RHP Nathan Eovaldi (Marlins), LHP Andrew Miller (Orioles), LHP Justin Wilson (Pirates)
Lost: SS Derek Jeter (retired), 3B Martin Prado (Marlins), RHP Shawn Kelley (Padres), C Francisco Cervelli (Pirates), RHP Shane Greene (Tigers)
Better, worse or same? Better
Why: A new era dawns for the Yankees, who are without Derek Jeter for the first time since 1995. It’s the returning veterans, however, who will need to return to form for the Yankees to make a push for the division crown. Alex Rodriguez returns from a one-year suspension, but at age 39, how much should be expected? Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran have struggled with injuries in recent years but could help the offense if they bear any resemblance to their former selves. The rotation is led by Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia, two aces who missed time with injuries in 2014. If they return healthy and others such as right-handers Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi turn in decent seasons, the Yankees should remain in the thick of the race.
Baltimore Orioles
Last year: 96-66 (1st)
Gained: C J.P. Arencibia (Rangers), OF Travis Snider (Pirates)
Lost: OF Nelson Cruz (Mariners), OF Nick Markakis (Braves), LHP Andrew Miller (Yankees)
Better, worse or same? Worse.
Why: Much of the Orioles’ success depends on which Chris Davis shows up in 2015. Will it be the 2013 first baseman who led the AL in home runs (53) and RBIs (138)? Or will it be the one who struggled with injuries in 2014 and was suspended the final 25 games of the season for using Adderall without an exemption from the league? (He’ll complete that suspension by missing Opening Day). Davis’ average fell to .196 with 173 strikeouts, but he still hit 26 homers with 72 RBIs. They’ll need more than Davis supplying offense to make up for the losses, however, including production from third baseman Manny Machado. The rotation is solid, if not sparkling, which should keep them in most games. Right-hander Chris Tillman (13-6, 3.34 ERA) leads a staff that boasts five possible starters that had ERAs under 4.00 in 2014, but Tillman was the only one who pitched more than 200 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays
Last year: 83-79 (3rd)
Gained: 3B Josh Donaldson (A’s), RHP Marco Estrada (Brewers), C Russell Martin (Pirates), OF Michael Saunders (Mariners), OF Justin Smoak (Mariners)
Lost: OF Melky Cabrera (White Sox), 3B Juan Francisco (Rays), OF Anthony Gose (Tigers), LHP J.A. Happ (Mariners), 3B Brett Lawrie (Athletics), 1B Adam Lind (Brewers), RHP Casey Janssen (Nationals), RHP Dustin McGowan (Dodgers), OF Colby Rasmus (Astros)
Better, worse or same? Worse
Why: Perhaps not much worse, but there are more questions surrounding the Blue Jays after off-season moves — chief among them is the pitching staff. R.A. Dickey, Marcus Stroman and Mark Buehrle had sub-4.00 ERAs in 2014 and the weight of the team’s success falls squarely on that trio compiling quality innings, despite the mileage on the arms of Dickey (40) and Buehrle (36). They’ll also need to find a closer with Casey Janssen’s departure. Lefties Brett Cecil and Aaron Loup return after good seasons and one of them could emerge as the closer. The addition of Donaldson, a budding star in center fielder Dalton Pompey and established sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion could provide formidable offense.
Boston Red Sox
Last year: 71-91 (5th)
Gained: C Ryan Hanigan (Reds), RHP Justin Masterson (Cardinals), LHP Wade Miley (Diamondbacks), RHP Rick Porcello (Tigers), 3B Pablo Sandoval (Giants), LF Hanley Ramirez (Dodgers), RHP Anthony Varvaro (Braves)
Lost: LF Yoenis Cespedes (Tigers), RHP Rubby De La Rosa (Diamondbacks), 3B Will Middlebrooks (Padres), C David Ross (Cubs), RHP Allen Webster (Diamondbacks)
Better, worse or same? Same
Why: The Red Sox hope the acquisitions of Sandoval and Ramirez at hitter-friendly Fenway Park will help improve an offense that was near the bottom of the league in homers (123) and average (.244). Part of their problem in 2014 was a down year for second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who had career lows in most offensive categories — including a .278 batting average — due in large part to a thumb injury. The loss of Jon Lester leaves Clay Buchholz as the de facto ace of the staff, which doesn’t bode well after he went 8-11 with a 5.34 ERA in 2014. Porcello is a solid addition, but the rotation provides more questions than answers.
Tampa Bay Rays
Last year: 77-85 (4th)
Gained: RHP Kevin Jepsen (Angels), 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (Nationals), C John Jaso (A’s), OF Steven Souza (Nationals)
Lost: 2B Ben Zobrist (A’s), OF Wil Myers (Padres), OF Matt Joyce (Angels), SS Yunel Escobar (Nationals), RHP Joel Peralta (Dodgers), C Jose Molina (free agent)
Better, worse or same? Worse
Why: First-year manager Kevin Cash inherits a talented young pitching staff led by right-handers Alex Cobb, Alex Colome and Chris Archer and lefty Drew Smyly. Whether third baseman Evan Longoria and left fielder Steven Souza, acquired in a trade with the Nationals, can produce the offense expected of them is the big question. If not, all that young pitching talent could compile a bunch of 1-0 and 2-1 losses.— Stefan Stevenson
This story was originally published April 4, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Previewing the AL East race."