True to being a big market team in the league, the Red Sox made quite the splash during the off-season when they traded for pitcher Chris Sale. The five-time All-Star, who’s top five in total strikeouts in each of the past two seasons, was acquired in exchange for four top prospects, which includes rising young guns Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech.
Sale’s addition to a rotation that already has reigning AL Cy Young awardee Rick Porcello and David Price makes Boston own the most dangerous group of pitchers in all of baseball.
As for the batting, David Ortiz’s retirement is deemed to be a big loss since he’s taking 30-40 homers and 100-plus RBIs with him. However, considering the amount of talent that the club still has, the team shouldn’t have to sweat it that much. Mookie Betts had 31 homers, 113, RBIs, 122 runs, 26 SBs, and a .318 BA this past season, and he is poised to have an even stronger campaign. He, along with with the firepower of Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., among others, should be enough to keep the Sox a powerhouse in the division.
Second Tier: New York Yankees (+425), Toronto Blue Jays (+425)
Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, and Brian McCann’s departures meant a loss of 55-70 homers and over 150 RBIs for the Yankees. However, it will also mean more opportunities for the team’s young core, as led by 2016 AL Rookie of the Year award runner-up Gary Sanchez. The 23-year-old bursted into the scene and chipped in 20 HRs and 42 RBIs in just 53 games, along with a solid .299 BA. All directions point to him being even better more productive moving forward – not that we want to jinx him.
Sanchez will be joining returning veterans Chase Headley, Brett Gardner and Jacob Ellsbury, along with other youngsters Starlin Castro, and Didi Gregorius in powering the Yanks in the AL East – the five are all inside the club’s top five hitters and runners last year.
Finally, we should also look forward to the relief pitcher they added, or in this case, called back. Aroldis Chapman, as you may remember, was with the Yanks in the beginning of last season before being traded in July to the eventual champion Chicago Cubs, where he became a key member.
The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are having almost every one in their offense back, except for one of the most prolific – Edwin Encarnacion – who bolted for the Indians. The DH had 42 homers and 127 RBIs last season, and it is hard to see anyone in their current roster replacing those numbers.
Still, the Jays have Josh Donaldson and a good bunch of power hitters, so no one can really guarantee if they’ll decline. Additionally, list down Melvin Upton Jr. to be a possible x-factor for the team. The veteran can be expected to contribute around 20-plus homers, 60-plus RBIs, and 25-plus SBs.
Long shots: Baltimore Orioles (+750), Tampa Bay Rays (+1,500)
The Orioles had a pair of surprises for us baseball freaks last season. with Mark Trumbo suddenly hitting a league-leading 47 homers and RP Zach Britton registering a handful of impressive feats, including going a perfect 47-of-47 in save opportunities and a RP record of 0.54 ERA (minimum of 50 IP).
The two are returning to Baltimore and it will be very interesting how well they can follow-up their memorable 2016 campaign.
For the Rays, meanwhile, the franchise’s dark era may continue this season. They have finished dead-last in the division for three straight years, and it is bound to be four. Not much is expected from the club outside Chris Archer, who’s hype is also not that hot anymore after a dismal 2016 (9-19, 4.02 ERA), and Evan Longoria, who’s rumored to be traded soon.
The x-factor for Tampa can be Kevin Kiermier. The fifth-year outfielder has showcased versatility on the field last season, and as per fangraphs.com, he may have 15 homers, 58 RBIs, and a .259 BA this year.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Red Sox (-180) will continue their reign in the division, and will be followed by the Blue Jays (-180).
