Wild offseason spending affected this division’s pockets. But it was the Yankees throwing down the black American Express card. The Red Sox invested $103 million in Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, pictured, who is expected to be their ace by season’s end. The Orioles countered by doling out $42 million to revamp their bullpen. And the Yankees, who again will win the division? They traded Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson. What’s next – cats and dogs living together?
1. New York Yankees | 97-65, first
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Johnny Damon .285
SS Derek Jeter .343
RF Bobby Abreu .297
3B Alex Rodriguez .290
DH Jason Giambi .253
LF Hideki Matsui .302
C Jorge Posada .277
2B Robinson Cano .342
1B D.Mientkiewicz .283
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
LHP Andy Pettitte 4.20
RHP Mike Mussina 3.51
RHP Carl Pavano –
LHP Kei Igawa –
RHP Darrell Rasner 4.43
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Mariano Rivera 34
MANAGER
Joe Torre
IN FOCUS
With general manager Brian Cashman in charge, the team is keeping its best prospects and getting younger. The patience paid off with Chien-Ming Wang out until the end of April with a hamstring injury.
IN DARKROOM
Phillip Hughes is untouchable, likely to join the rotation in a few months if Carl Pavano continues his cringe-inducing performances.
PERFECT IMAGE
This could very well be Joe Torre’s last run in pinstripes, meaning anything less than a championship will be a disappointment. It comes down to starting pitching. The Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs a year ago with Jaret Wright on the mound. That won’t happen again if Hughes progresses.
2. Boston Red Sox | 86-76, third
LINEUP (’06 average)
SS Julio Lugo .278
1B Kevin Youkilis .279
DH David Ortiz .287
LF Manny Ramirez .321
RF J.D. Drew .283
3B Mike Lowell .284
C Jason Varitek .238
CF Coco Crisp .264
2B Dustin Pedroia .191
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Curt Schilling 3.97
RHP Josh Beckett 5.01
RHP D. Matsuzaka –
RHP Tim Wakefield 4.63
RHP Julian Tavarez 4.47
CLOSER (’06 saves)
RHP J. Papelbon 35
MANAGER
Terry Francona
IN FOCUS
The Red Sox averted a potential bullpen-by-committee disaster by returning Jonathan Papelbon to the closer role. That’s good news for the rotation’s top three, who all should win at least 15 games.
IN DARKROOM
For all the money the Red Sox spent – see Dice-K, Drew, Lugo – they are counting on a kid at second. Dustin Pedroia didn’t hit at all last season, but came to camp in good shape.
PERFECT IMAGE
The middle of this lineup is a meat grinder, a perfect blend of patience and power. If Jason Varitek and Coco Crisp return to form, this team will steamroll most opponents. The biggest question mark isn’t Daisuke Matsuzaka, but Josh Beckett: Is this the year he returns to 2003 form?
3. Toronto Blue Jays | 87-75, second
LINEUP (’06 average)
LF Reed Johnson .319
1B Lyle Overbay .312
CF Vernon Wells .303
DH Frank Thomas .270
3B Troy Glaus .252
RF Alex Rios .302
C Gregg Zaun .272
2B Aaron Hill .291
SS Royce Clayton .258
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Roy Halladay 3.19
RHP A.J. Burnett 3.98
RHP Gustavo Chacin 5.05
RHP Josh Towers 8.42
RHP Tomo Ohka 4.82
CLOSER (’06 saves)
B.J. Ryan 38
MANAGER
John Gibbons
IN FOCUS
When the Blue Jays failed to land Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, they considered unloading Vernon Wells for a bounty of pitchers. Instead, they gave him a $126 million contract, leaving them with one of the game’s best lineups now that Frank Thomas has crossed the border.
IN DARKROOM
Like a lot of organizations, Toronto lacks good young pitching. That’s why its season hinges on Gustavo Chacin and Josh Towers reclaiming their once-promising careers.
PERFECT IMAGE
Alex Rios emerges from the shadows into the MVP race, Thomas hits 35 home runs and A.J. Burnett proves he can consistently tame the fang-bearing AL East lineups.
4. Baltimore Orioles | 70-92, fourth
LINEUP (’06 average)
2B Brian Roberts .286
3B Melvin Mora .274
RF Nick Markakis .291
SS Miguel Tejada .330
1B Aubrey Huff .267
C Ramon Hernandez .275
DH Jay Gibbons .277
LF Jay Payton .296
CF Corey Patterson .276
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
LHP Erik Bedard 3.76
RHP Daniel Cabrera 4.74
LHP Adam Loewen 5.37
RHP Jaret Wright 4.49
RHP Steve Trachsel 4.97
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Chris Ray 33
MANAGER
Sam Perlozzo
IN FOCUS
Give the Orioles credit for recognizing a problem and attempting to solve it. Their bullpen put up an unsightly 5.37 ERA last season, which prompted them to make Danys Baez the highest-paid setup man in history. They added Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford as his bodyguards.
IN DARKROOM
Leo Mazzone used his mulligan last year, clashing with pitchers and failing to draw out the best in Daniel Cabrera. Cabrera has no-hit stuff on an alarming basis, meaning he could win 15 games if he regains his command.
PERFECT IMAGE
The O’s could have a successful season if they approach 80 wins and aren’t the subject of steroids suspensions, cable lawsuits and bullpen meltdowns.
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays | 61-101, fifth
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Rocco Baldelli .302
LF Carl Crawford .305
RF Delmon Young .317
DH Jonny Gomes .216
2B Jorge Cantu .249
1B Ty Wigginton .275
3B Akinori Iwamura –
C Dioner Navarro .254
SS Ben Zobrist .224
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
LHP Scott Kazmir 3.24
LHP Casey Fossum 5.33
RHP Jae Seo 5.33
RHP James Shields 4.84
LHP J.P. Howell 5.10
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Seth McClung 6
MANAGER
Joe Maddon
IN FOCUS
This team is where the Rockies were last year, in the infancy stages of a youth movement. Opposing AL East pitchers don’t enjoy facing this lineup – Carl Crawford is a superstar – but their hitters do.
IN DARKROOM
Manager Joe Maddon promises to use B.J. Upton as his version of Chone Figgins, bouncing him from position to position to get his bat in the lineup. Upton has ridiculous talent but has shown no defensive prowess.
PERFECT IMAGE
The Rays avoid being ripped by their own prospects, Delmon Young gets more attention for his play than his temper and Rocco Baldelli stays healthy, showing everyone why the club never wanted to trade him to the Rockies.
