Predicting The Records For The AL East In 2024
You would be hard-pressed to find a division with more well-rounded teams than the 2024 American League East. The Orioles had one of the lowest payrolls and one of the youngest teams in baseball and won over 100 games. The Rays won 99 and were contenders again, and the Blue Jays and Yankees were competitive despite battling injuries and significant down years from key players. The Red Sox exist. The AL East will be fabulous again, but how will it unfold? Let's look at it all and see what we can predict.
The AL East Is Likely the Best Division In Baseball
#5: The Boston Red Sox, 70-92
The Red Sox were solid last year, but I see them failing to improve. They lost Alex Verdugo to the Bronx and did not improve in free agency. The Sox also lost Adam Duvall, who had a massive bounce-back year in Boston and proved his worth to the team to free agency. Yoshida and Devers are bright sides, and there could be a few pleasant surprises like Vaughn Grissom, but outside of that, it will be ugly for Boston fans this year. I should have mentioned Justin Turner also opting to go to free agency. With lackluster pitching, I'd start looking at prospects for Boston fans.
#4: The Toronto Blue Jays, 88-74
This Jays team is weird. They lose out on Matt Chapman, Whit Merrifield, and Hyun Jin Ryu, all leaving during free agency, and bring Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner to fill those holes. Those leaving and those coming in are different, and Toronto loses out on a substantial group of guys. However, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette should have good enough years to essentially make up for those departures. This, mixed with hopefully solid pitching from Gausman, Bassitt, who burst onto the scene, and BerrÃos, should be enough for the Blue Jays to improve after a disappointing season last year. However, they still have Alek Manoah and signed Daniel Vogelbach, so I wouldn't be surprised if their record sunk a bit.
#3: The Tampa Bay Rays, 91-71
This team takes a tumble from where they were last year, but only by a little. The elephant in the room is Wander Franco and what the former number-one ranked prospect means in this equation. It seems likely that Franco is gone and likely done with his entire career. The Rays also did not really improve during free agency, not making any major signing or trades. They agreed to deals with Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, and Randy Arozarena to prevent them from hitting the market, but that will only do a little to improve you now. Especially after trading away Tyler Glasnow and lately having to put McClanahan on the 60-day IL, it does not look good for the Rays to improve in 2024. But they always somehow find a way, so I expect them to still win at least 90 games.
#2: The New York Yankees, 100-62
An 18-win improvement for the Yankees in 2024 is not a stretch in the slightest. In a year when you were bombarded with injuries non-stop, you still managed to finish above .500 and not last in your division. Then, in the off-season, you trade for one of major league baseball's best young players, Juan Soto, and pick up Alex Verdugo to give more consistency and depth in the outfield. While the bullpen has some questions to be answered regarding whether they can compete, the batting should more than makeup for it. With an improved Anthony Volpe, a returning Anthony Rizzo and Carlos Rodon, and a new and improved outfield, this Yankees team is scary.
#1: The Baltimore Orioles, 105-57
Sadly, for the Yankees, the Orioles are even scarier. After winning 101 games last year with a primarily young team, you grab yourself a true ace in Corbin Burnes to help lead this young team and be an anchor in the pitching unit. While they do lose Kyle Gibson and Adam Frazier, who were solid for them last year, the improvement from their young players should more than outweigh that. Baseball's best catcher, Adley Rutschman, will only improve and widen the gap between him and second best. Gunnar Henderson will improve on a stellar rookie season, and Grayson Rodriguez will continue honing the fireball-throwing arm that makes him such a threat. The Orioles also have Jackson Holiday waiting to be called up. This team is built for the future and will only improve as time goes on with a true ace now in the clubhouse.
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