The American League East was once the most difficult division in baseball, but that may not be the case any longer. Last year was the first time since 2006 that just one AL East club made the playoffs, and the division lacks a powerhouse team.
There’s been plenty of change since the season ended, but each AL East team still has imperfections. With spring training approaching, here’s a look at the biggest weaknesses facing each of the five teams in 2015:
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Baltimore Orioles
Weak spot: While the Orioles don’t have a traditional leadoff hitter, Buck Showalter isn’t concerned. Baltimore’s lineup should score plenty of runs in 2015, which leaves the Orioles with question marks in the bullpen and on the infield. President of baseball operations Dan Duquette said over the weekend that he’s hoping to add a relief arm and a utility infielder.
Potential solution: The Orioles could take a chance on a reliever like Dustin McGowan, a hard-throwing right-hander with a track record of success in the AL East. Duquette has a history of turning unheralded players like McGowan into useful pieces.
Boston Red Sox
Weak spot: If anything, the Red Sox have more MLB-level players than they have roster spots, particularly when it comes to outfielders and relief arms. While that’s a good problem to have, GM Ben Cherington could deal from depth this spring.
Potential solution: The Red Sox have indicated a willingness to trade Edward Mujica, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The right-hander would presumably have some value after posting a 1.78 ERA in the second half of the season. If no appealing deals emerge, though, Boston could hold onto the depth to be fully prepared for injuries and poor performances.
New York Yankees
Weak spot: On paper the Yankees’ rotation looks good: CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Chris Capuano and Nathan Eovaldi, soon to be joined by Ivan Nova. But as New York found out last year, starting rotations can be depleted by injury in a hurry.
Potential solution: Assuming the Yankees aren’t bluffing about their ability to add a frontline arm like James Shields, they could look to more affordable options like Brandon Beachy. The rehabbing right-hander isn’t prepared to sign right away, but when he’s ready the Yankees could make him an enticing offer in the hopes that he can recapture the form he showed with the Atlanta Braves before undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.
Tampa Bay Rays
Weak spot: After trading Yunel Escobar and Ben Zobrist, the Rays could use another middle infielder. Though the addition of Alexi Casilla helps, a defensively adept shortstop would provide Tampa Bay with support for their pitching staff.
It’s also possible that president of baseball operations Matt Silverman could add catching depth, pursue relievers and consider trades for David DeJesus, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times recently detailed.
Potential solution: Free agent shortstop Everth Cabrera has some off-field issues, but he’s just 28 and the Rays have a history of taking risks on talented players with baggage.
Toronto Blue Jays
Weak spot: Second base looks like a weak spot for the Blue Jays, who have all kinds of options at the position but very little certainty. Plus, the Blue Jays haven’t made meaningful additions to a bullpen that posted a 4.09 ERA in 2014.
Potential solution: There’s presently very little out there in the way of second base upgrades, so the solution is likely to hope their in-house options get the job done and spend on their other major need, relief pitching.
There are plenty of intriguing relievers led by big names like Rafael Soriano and Francisco Rodriguez. Still, low-risk, bounce-back options like Mike Adams should also be of interest to the Blue Jays, and it wouldn’t hurt to put a claim in on Cesar Jimenez, a left-hander who has excelled at triple-A in recent years.
