2021 AL East Preview

Author: Jordan Plompen

Editor: Brian Symons

The American League East was one of the most competitive divisions in baseball in 2020. Three out of the five teams in the division made the playoffs due to the expanded format, with Tampa Bay occupying the one seed, New York occupying the five seed, and Toronto occupying the eighth seed. Tied with the AL Central with the second most teams from a division to enter the postseason, it was clearly a tight battle between these ballclubs. When all was said and done at the end of October, the scenario that ensued was the division-winning Rays knocking off both the Blue Jays in the Wild Card round, and the Yankees in the ALDS, on their way to their second AL pennant in franchise history, where they would lose the World Series in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although Tampa Bay has forced themselves to be noticed in the division after back-to-back playoff appearances in 2019-2020, the division has consistently been run by the Northeastern powerhouses in New York and Boston. The Red Sox have won three WS titles since 2007, with sporadic postseason appearances sprinkled in between. And the Yankees have only won one title in that same span, a number that may be acceptable for other major league organizations, but not for the Bronx Bombers. However, with seven playoff appearances in the past decade, it is apparent they have consistently been knocking on the door. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, made the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2016. With a young core to go along with veteran signings, it seems like Toronto may have a real opportunity to cash in, with Boston and Tampa Bay seeming mediocre and Baltimore continuing their rebuild.

It seems as if each team in the division added to their rosters in ways that simply made sense. The Orioles signed several veterans to short-term contracts, most likely looking to trade them for prospects at the deadline to speed up their rebuild. The Red Sox spent the majority of their offseason signing utility players to increase their defensive versatility, with the hope that their starting rotation performs better than they had previously. The Rays did what they do best, by trading a beloved pitcher known as Blake Snell to San Diego for a package that could or could not work out while obtaining cheaper low-risk high-reward rotation pieces to surround Tyler Glasnow. The Blue Jays scored big with the signings of George Springer and Marcus Semien and will look forward to seeing how they click with their young position player group. And the Yankees look for bounce-back pitching performances from newly acquired starting pitchers coming off of injuries while expecting more of the same from DJ LeMahieu after he re-upped with the club on a six-year contract. Is this the year that the entire New York lineup stays healthy and we see what they can truly do over 162? Will the young offensive firepower be enough for Toronto to stay in playoff contention? Can Tampa Bay continue to find ways to win with one of the lowest payrolls in the game? How will Boston perform with considerable rotation question marks to go along with the departure of the last two remaining “Killer B’s” this offseason? How many top prospects should be expected on the roster in Baltimore come seasons end? We’ll see soon enough. With the AL East consisting of some of the more hitter-friendly ballparks in the sport, as well as some of the more prolific power hitters in the game, expect there to be many high-scoring affairs as the push for October baseball gets underway on April 1st.

First Place- New York Yankees

Projected Record- 102-60

Notable Additions- DJ LeMahieu, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon

Team MVP- DJ LeMahieu

The New York Yankees had a lot of hype surrounding them in the early stages of spring training in 2020 and for good reason. A player that was perceived by many as general manager Brian Cashman’s “White Whale”, starting pitching ace Gerrit Cole was finally locked up in the Yankees pinstripes for the foreseeable future. This view of Cole came from the Yankees drafting him out of high school in the first round of 2008 only to see him decide to further his education by attending UCLA. After being drafted first overall by Pittsburgh in 2011, Cole was traded to Houston in 2018, when the Yanks were supposedly trying to trade for him as well. After Cole helped the Astros get past New York in the 2019 ALCS, it was certainly a relief for Cashman to have him join the Yankees. Gerrit Cole performed to expectations in the shortened season, providing an ERA of 2.84 and finishing fourth in the AL Cy Young voting, and was not alone on the long list of superstars in New York. However, from August 18th through September 8th, it looked as if the Yankees season had taken a turn for the worst. The Bombers had a twenty-game stretch over that span that resulted in a 5-15 record, and for a while, it looked as if they may not even make the playoffs in the expanded format. Although the streak was largely due to injuries to players such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Luis Severino, and others, both Yankee fans and baseball fans are tired of the injury excuses. After righting the ship by winning their next ten ballgames after that horrendous twenty-game effort, New York found themselves occupying the fifth seed, set for a Wild Card Round matchup at Progressive Field in Cleveland. After sweeping the Tribe in two games, the Yankees were punched in the mouth for a second straight season by their own closer, as Aroldis Chapman gave up the eventual game-winning home run to Mike Brosseau in Game 5 of the ALDS a year after allowing Jose Altuve to do the same to him in the ALCS. With the funny business involving Houston being unknown in 2019, Chapman deserves to get cut some slack. With a newly worked-on splitter up his sleeve, the Cuban Missile will hope to get the chance to perform to expectations this October. With a combination of DJ LeMahieu’s return to the Bronx and a relatively healthy roster at this point in spring training, Chapman should have a great opportunity to redeem himself.

After it seemed as if the 2020 offseason in New York was on halt until Gerrit Cole was signed, the 2021 Yankees offseason had the same feel to it. Although almost everyone around baseball expected it, DJ LeMahieu was re-signed by the Yanks on January 27th to a 6 year, $90 million dollar contract. After compiling two top 4 MVP finishes, two silver sluggers, and an all-star game nod in his two seasons previously in New York, not to mention his defensive versatility, it was no surprise the guy nicknamed “LeMachine” was back in pinstripes. While many Yankee fans were hoping for another familiar reunion in the form of Masahiro Tanaka in the Bronx after seven solid seasons, Brian Cashman decided against this route. In an effort to stay below the luxury tax threshold, the Yankees GM went the cheaper route, by signing Corey Kluber and acquiring Jameson Taillon to fill the rotation spots. Although their combined career ERA settles in at 3.42, these guys have also only pitched a total of one major league inning over the past year, meaning they will have a lot to prove in 2021. However, to let a pitcher like Tanaka leave to go back to play in his home country of Japan, Cashman has shown his confidence in these starters, and Yankees fans should be excited. If they are pitching at the elite level they are capable of, the trio of Cole, Kluber, and Taillon could be one of the best big three’s atop any rotation in baseball.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record for Yankees fans, their 2021 success lays heavily on staying healthy. Aaron Judge has not played a full season since his rookie year in 2017. Giancarlo Stanton has not played a full season since his first year in pinstripes in 2018. Players such as Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela, Aaron Hicks, and Gary Sanchez always seem to find a way onto at least one IL stint per season. With Luis Severino out due to Tommy John surgery until halfway through the season, and lefty relievers Zack Britton and Justin Wilson (newly signed) being injured this spring training, the Yankees can ill afford any more injuries to start the season. With Brett Gardner re-signed and Jay Bruce and Mike Tauchman battling for the fifth outfielder spots, Brian Cashman has certainly prepared for the worst. Is there a world where DJ, Judge, and Stanton stay healthy and all have MVP caliber seasons? Will Gary Sanchez bounce back and be the hitter he was the first three years of his career? How will Gleyber Torres perform defensively after a subpar performance in his first year as the starting shortstop? Will newly signed reliever Darren O’Day fill a bigger role than imagined this year after injuries to other relievers? Can Luke Voit repeat as the MLB home run champion? Does Clint Frazier finally take full control of left field responsibilities in 2021? We shall soon find out. Regardless of injuries, the Yankees have proven they can perform at a high level. The loss of certain Rays rotation pieces to go along with an inexperienced Blue Jays squad should give the Yankees a clear shot at the division title in the AL East this season.

Potential Lineup-

1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B

2. Aaron Judge, RF

3. Aaron Hicks, CF

4. Luke Voit, 1B

5. Giancarlo Stanton, DH

6. Gleyber Torres, SS

7. Gary Sanchez, C

8. Clint Frazier, LF

9. Gio Urshela, 3B

Potential Rotation-

1. Gerrit Cole

2. Corey Kluber

3. Jameson Taillon

4. Jordan Montgomery

5. Domingo German

Best Relievers-

Aroldis Chapman

Zack Britton

Chad Green

Second Place- Toronto Blue Jays

Projected Record- 93-69

Notable Additions- George Springer, Marcus Semien, Kirby Yates

Team MVP- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

It was a strange season for every MLB team in 2020, and the team residing north of the border was no exception. In fact, the Toronto Blue Jays may have arguably had the most adversity to deal with. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Jays were not permitted to play their home games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, as there was no way around American and Canadian government protocol. Because of this, the Blue Jays started the shortened season with a couple of weeks straight of road games, before deciding they would play their remaining home games at their Triple-A facility in Buffalo, New York. Although many people would argue that they are professional athletes and shouldn’t care what their playing circumstances are, it had to be extremely difficult for the ballclub to have so many unknowns surrounding their team. And even with the odds stacked against them, Toronto managed to finish one game behind the second-place Yankees in the AL East and grab the eighth seed of the expanded playoff format. With an entirely new roster since their last playoff run in 2016, fans north of the border had a glimpse of hope for what general manager Ross Atkins had been working towards since the ALCS loss to Cleveland that season. Alas, Toronto was swept in two games at Tropicana Field in St. Pete to the eventual AL pennant-winning Tampa Bay Rays. Nonetheless, getting the young core of Blue Jays hitters postseason experience may prove to be vital come the 2021 postseason and years beyond. Anyone who is even somewhat familiar with Major League Baseball has heard of the second generation big leaguers on Toronto’s roster in Bo Bichette, Vladamir Guerrero Jr., and Cavan Biggio. With other prospects such as Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez, and Rowdy Tellez beginning to break out in 2019-2020 at the same time as them, as well as veterans Hyun-Jin Ryu and Randall Grichuk providing valuable guidance, it is no wonder the Jays are surrounded with this much mojo after obtaining a couple more major offensive additions.

With a young core substantially intact, the Blue Jays added on to an already talented roster with the additions of offensive powerhouses George Springer and Marcus Semien. Springer has proven to be an elite outfielder, both offensively and defensively, albeit with some clouded judgment surrounding his latter seasons in Houston due to the cheating scandal. However with Springer being the lone Astro player to perform well during the 2020 season that was a part of the known cheating team of 2017, (.265 BA, .899 OPS last season), the Blue Jays can be confident with their signing. Over his seven-year career, Springer has averaged a .270 BA, 35 HR, 93 RBI, 10 SB, and an .852 OPS over 162. With a career .989 fielding percentage, he is no slouch in the outfield either. Semien, on the other hand, is hoping to bounce back in 2021 after a forgetful shortened season that should not be overanalyzed. After a monster campaign in 2019 that saw Semien hit .285 with 33 HR, 92 RBI, 10 SB, and an .892 OPS, and finish third in AL MVP voting, his numbers simply weren’t there in 2020. With his position change to second base imminent in 2021 due to Bo Bichette being the starting shortstop, he may actually be able to come close to his 2019 numbers relatively easily. The Jays offense put blatantly, should be one of the best in the league in 2021, and probably would have been even without the additions of Springer and Semien.

The obvious question mark surrounding the boys from the six this upcoming season will be their pitching staff. Hyun-Jin Ryu did his job in his first year with the Blue Jays, finishing third in AL Cy Young voting with a 2.69 ERA and a career-high 9.7 K/9 through 12 games started. With top prospect Nate Pearson likely to begin the season on the IL, it will be interesting how the rest of the Toronto rotation fares with mediocre guys like Robbie Ray, Ross Stripling, and Tanner Roark, and newly acquired Steven Matz filling out the remaining spots. The bullpen has suddenly become an issue as well, as newly signed closer Kirby Yates may need Tommy John before the season even begins. Will this juggernaut of an offense be able to carry a so-so pitching staff? Can certain starters find some magic working with ace Hyun-Jin Ryu? How will Vladdy Jr. perform after reportedly losing 42 pounds since last July? Will the veteran presence and postseason experience of Springer and Semien help the Jays into their second consecutive season of October baseball? Set to start the season at their spring training facility in Florida, how soon during the season can we expect Toronto to be playing their home games north of the border? These are all questions that will be answered in due time. The Blue Jays will have one of the top offenses in the league in 2021, and I believe they will have one or two average starters turn the page to help Ryu and Pearson at the top of the rotation once the latter is back healthy. If all goes as planned, the Jays may even have a chance to finish past the Yankees. With that being a big if, Toronto will most likely be satisfied to finish in the 90+ win range in the AL East this season.

Potential Lineup-

1. George Springer, CF

2. Cavan Biggio, 3B

3. Bo Bichette, SS

4. Vladamir Guerrero Jr., 1B

5. Marcus Semien, 2B

6. Teoscar Hernandez, RF

7. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF

8. Rowdy Tellez, DH

9. Danny Jansen, C

Potential Rotation-

1. Hyun-Jin Ryu

2. Nate Pearson

3. Robbie Ray

4. Tanner Roark

5. Steven Matz

Best Relievers-

Kirby Yates

Jordan Romano

Rafael Dolis

Third Place- Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Record- 86-76

Notable Additions- Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, Mike Zunnino

Team MVP- Tyler Glasnow

The Tampa Bay Rays have long been known as an unconventionally run organization due to their financial constraints. From the Joe Madden era almost a decade ago to the Kevin Cash era that is today, the front office has continuously been able to put a competitive roster together with one of the lowest payrolls in the sport. In a situation like the Rays find themselves in year after year, it is apparent that everyone involved has to be on board. And for the past two seasons, that has seemingly been the case. Tampa took the Astros to Game 5 of the ALDS in 2019, only to be stopped in their tracks by Gerrit Cole’s ten strikeout performance en route to a 6-1 victory. With speculation that Tyler Glasnow was tipping his pitches accidentally, we all know how quickly Houston hitters may have noticed had this been the case. Nevertheless, the Rays were sent back to St. Pete to watch the rest of the postseason from their living rooms. Flash forward to the shortened 2020 season, and Tampa Bay looked like a team on a mission. They finished the season with a record of 40-20, which was good enough for second best in all of baseball, and seven games ahead of the second place Yankees. As terrific of a regular season as the Rays had, their incredible storyline started on September 29th in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays.

An outfielder that was barely known before the playoffs began in Randy Arozarena broke out in dramatic fashion once the expanded playoff gauntlet began. Arozerana played in 20 playoff games in 2020, slashing .402 with 10 HR, 14 RBI, 16 Runs, and a 1.328 OPS. Not to mention the fact that he broke Derek Jeter’s single postseason record of hits in October, while also breaking the postseason home run record by one batter. Although there were great pitching performances by Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Charlie Morton throughout the postseason, Arozarena put Tampa on his back and carried them to a World Series matchup with the Dodgers. Randy and the Rays barreled through the Blue Jays, stunned the Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS, and hung on in Game 7 of the ALCS against Houston to get there. Tampa Bay put up a fight against the mighty Dodgers in the Fall Classic, but eventually lost in six games. Many around baseball, myself included, believe there should have been a Game 7 of the 2020 WS. However due to the Kevin Cash/Tampa Bay front office debacle that was removing Blake Snell from Game 6, after he had completely dominated the entire game while his team had the lead, the Rays bullpen ended up imploding and ending their season all together. The trickle down effects of this decision did not stop soon after, as Snell was shipped out to San Diego after his obvious frustration and free agent Charlie Morton decided to sign with the Atlanta Braves. Although still a talented ballclub, this Rays squad will look considerably different with a depleted rotation.

The obvious ace of the Rays now is Tyler Glasnow. Over the past two seasons, Glasnow has started 23 games, compiling an ERA of 2.93 and a 12.8 K/9. With rumors that he has figured out his changeup, those numbers could get even better. However with signings such as Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, Chris Archer, and Collin McHugh set to replace Snell and Morton, the rotation will not put up the same numbers, barring astonishing comebacks. Although Ryan Yarbrough has proven he can get the job done, he flips around a lot as a starter and middle relief option due to Tampa’s use of the opener. The strength of the Rays is obviously their bullpen, consisting of guys such as Nick Anderson, Diego Castillo, Pete Fairbanks, Chaz Roe, and others. If every pitcher can consistently pitch in whatever inning Kevin Cash needs them to, Tampa will be in good shape. Their offensive pieces seem to fit together perfectly. If Arozarena can repeat his postseason, he should be an MVP candidate. Ji-Man Choi is a known Gerrit Cole killer at the plate. Willy Adames has thrived at shortstop, despite a poor 2020 postseason, and will need to keep it up with top prospect Wander Franco knocking on the door of his starting job. Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle have proven to be solid left handed hitting infielders. Kevin Keirmaier can be streaky as a hitter, but is arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game today. Can Austin Meadows bounce back to his 2019 all star form? How much do veteran starters like Hill, Wacha, Archer, and McHugh have left in the tank? Will Tyler Glasnow truly emerge as the ace of the staff and be in AL Cy Young contention? How has the front office in St. Pete learned from the mistake of taking out Blake Snell in Game 6? We will find out soon enough. While I have no doubt the Rays will find a way to stick around all season long, a questionable rotation to go along with a lower tier offense than the Toronto Blue Jays leads me to believe the 2020 AL pennant winning Tampa Bay Rays will stay right around the middle of the pack in 2021.

Potential Lineup-

1. Joey Wendle, 3B

2. Randy Arozarena, LF

3. Brandon Lowe, 2B

4. Ji-Man Choi, 1B

5. Willy Adames, SS

6. Austin Meadows, DH

7. Manuel Margot, RF

8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF

9. Mike Zunnino, C

Potential Rotation-

1. Tyler Glasnow

2. Michael Wacha

3. Rich Hill

4. Chris Archer

5. Ryan Yarbrough

Best Relievers-

Nick Anderson

Diego Castillo

Pete Fairbanks

Fourth Place- Boston Red Sox

Projected Record- 80-82

Notable Additions- Kike Hernandez, Hunter Renfroe, Garrett Richards

Team MVP- Rafael Devers

The shortened 2020 season was not kind to the Boston Red Sox, to say the least. The BoSox ended the regular season with a record of 24-36, which was good for third-worst in the American League. Boston never came close to sniffing a playoff berth, and the Fenway faithful had to be happy that the season was only sixty games. After finishing third in the AL East in 2019, a year after they enjoyed their ninth World Series title in franchise history, the front office decided it was in the team’s best interest to trade Mookie Betts due to his impending free agency instead of opening up the checkbooks for an extension. Betts was obviously a household name in Boston and had cemented himself as a top-five player in baseball, especially after winning the AL MVP in 2018 and helping Boston win a title. As it turned out, Mookie was traded to the LA Dodgers along with David Price before the first spring training go around in 2020 and ended up helping the Dodgers to their first World Series title since 1988. Although the return in the trade with LA had some good pieces, it couldn’t have made it any easier for Red Sox fans to see Mookie raise the commissioner’s trophy in Dodger blue after a terrible season. With this past offseason consisting of the departure of the two remaining “Killer B’s” in Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi, casual Boston fans are sure going to have a lot to learn with this year’s opening day roster. However, with some veterans due for bounce-back seasons and smaller moves that have the potential to pan out if everything clicks, the Red Sox should find themselves out of the cellar of the AL East in 2021, and possibly hovering slightly below a Wild Card spot.

With everything that went wrong in Bean Town in 2020, it may be difficult for some fans to imagine it getting any better in 2021. However, a team that has a left side of the infield consisting of Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers should always have hope. Surprisingly enough, both star infielders were called up by Boston when they were 20 years old and never looked back. Over his eight-year career, Bogaerts has averaged a .289 BA, 20 HR, 89 RBI, 10 SB, and an .805 OPS over 162, while Devers has averaged a .279 BA, 31 HR, 105 RBI, 7 SB, and an .830 OPS through 162 over four seasons. With Bogaerts locked up in Boston through 2026, it seems like it is time for the front office to secure their left side of the infield for the foreseeable future. Speaking of all-star caliber hitters in Boston, a guy who has gotten overlooked this offseason is JD Martinez. Martinez has been the primary designated hitter for the BoSox since signing as a free agent in 2018 and was a key cog in the championship season in that same season. Although JD had a rough two-month season in 2020, (as did several other superstars), from 2014-2019 he was an absolute force at the plate. Having successful stints in Detroit and Arizona before joining the Red Sox, Martinez averaged a .307 BA, 35 HR, 98 RBI, and a .956 OPS over those previous six seasons. To say Red Sox fans should be confident that Martinez will bounce back is an understatement. A player who is not being overlooked, and for obvious reason, is outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was the main trade piece returning to Boston in the Betts deal. Although Verdugo has not proven himself at the same level as Mookie had, he finished 2020 with a career-high .844 OPS and proved he can excel at all three outfield positions defensively, which is the main reason why he will be the starting center fielder for the Red Sox this season.

As for the newcomers in Boston, there were not many superstar names. However, each signing or acquisition has proved they can contribute at the big league level in the past. Kike Hernandez will presumably take on the starting second base duties after Dustin Pedroia officially retired this past offseason after an excellent career. A right-handed hitter known for his defensive versatility, Hernandez should see lesser amounts of time at other positions aside from catcher, while becoming very familiar with the Green Monster in left field. Another signing that should benefit from the Monster seats is big righty bat Hunter Renfroe, the likely starting right fielder. After an abysmal season where he hit just .156 with the Rays in 2020, Renfroe will look to recapture his form from his days as a Padre from 2017-2019 when he averaged 28 HR per season. Utility player Marwin Gonzalez was also signed to play in Bean Town and should provide defensive versatility for manager Alex Cora, who was his bench coach on the 2017 Astros championship team involving the cheating scandal. Garrett Richards will join the Sox rotation in 2021 after having an ERA right around 4.00 in a bounce-back season in San Diego and will hope to quell any talks of always being injured. How will fellow rotation piece Eduardo Rodriguez perform after sitting out in 2020 for covid reasons? How soon can we expect Chris Sale to return from Tommy John surgery? Will first base prospect Bobby Dalbec stay the hitter he showed he was in the shortened season? Can newly acquired Adam Ottavino become a key member of the bullpen? How will Alex Cora handle being back in Boston after his one-year suspension due to his involvement with the Astros scandal in 2017? We will soon find out. With several solid big league players still on the roster in Bean Town, expect the BoSox to stay somewhat competitive in 2021, especially when they are on Sunday Night Baseball against the Yankees. While they may surprise some people and even finish above .500, there is a slim chance they finish ahead of the Rays or Blue Jays barring an unforeseen collapse. Red Sox fans should hope that a Rafael Devers extension is imminent, and that guys like Verdugo and Dalbec continue to show progress.

Potential Lineup-

1. Alex Verdugo, CF

2. Xander Bogaerts, SS

3. Rafael Devers, 3B

4. JD Martinez, DH

5. Bobby Dalbec, 1B

6. Christian Vasquez, C

7. Hunter Renfroe, RF

8. Kike Hernandez, 2B

9. Franchy Cordero, LF

Potential Rotation-

1. Eduardo Rodriguez

2. Nate Eovaldi

3. Martin Perez

4. Garrett Richards

5. Matt Andriese

Best Relievers-

Matt Barnes

Adam Ottavino

Ryan Brasier

Fifth Place- Baltimore Orioles

Projected Record- 68-94

Notable Additions- Freddy Galvis, Maikel Franco, Felix Hernandez

Team MVP- Trey Mancini

Although they actually showed some potential in the early stages of the shortened season, the Baltimore Orioles will be finishing in the basement of the AL East in 2020 as they continue what has been a long and tumultuous rebuild. The last time the O’s made it to the playoffs was 2016 when they were the victim of an Edwin Encarnacion walk-off home run at the Rogers Centre. And Orioles fans, believe me when I say, that game feels like it was from another lifetime for all baseball fans. Many changes have transpired since that loss, with names such as Adam Jones, Zack Britton, Mark Trumbo, Jonathan Schoop, Manny Machado, and others all playing elsewhere or not playing at all. One name that has not alleviated the roster in all that time is Chris Davis, who is looked at as a black hole eating money from the organization that could easily be spent on more helpful commodities. I’ve got good news for you, Orioles fans. His contract is coming off of the books after 2021, and that may actually introduce opportunities for the front office to sign higher-tier free agents, as long as there is progression shown from the younger players on the team. After all, not all has been bad since the 2016 season. Outfielder/first baseman Trey Mancini managed to finish third in AL ROY voting in 2017 behind Aaron Judge and Andrew Benintendi after an offensive surge during his rookie campaign. After the league adjusted to him in 2018, Mancini adjusted right back in 2019, hitting 35 HR with 97 RBI and an .899 OPS which were all career highs. Although Mancini had the unfortunate news of being diagnosed with colon cancer prior to the 2020 season, he thankfully completed all necessary treatment and is currently cancer-free. Speaking for everyone across Major League Baseball, it is amazing news that Trey Mancini will be back playing the game he loves in 2021, and I do not foresee a fan out there who will not be cheering him on. Although it may take some time to adjust to playing every day, I am expecting Mancini to have an excellent season and be rejuvenated at the chance to play some baseball again.

As far as the rest of the team goes, there were several young Orioles who broke out in 2020. Fellow outfielder/first baseman Ryan Mountcastle had a great start to his career, compiling an .865 OPS while playing in 24 games. Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins proved their 2019 play in the outfield was no joke, as they both compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 33 and 41 games with the O’s this past season, respectively. Outfielder Anthony Santander improved upon his 20 homer campaign in 2019 by slugging 11 home runs in 37 games and ending the season with an .890 OPS. Although he took a step back in the shortened season, starting pitcher John Means had a 3.60 ERA over 27 games started in 2019, receiving all-star honors and finishing second in AL ROY voting, and should have no problem bouncing back over a full 162 this year.

The Orioles also added several veterans this offseason to one-year deals, which is something many rebuilding teams have done in the past. Freddy Galvis will be the starting shortstop in Baltimore in 2021 and had the best season of his career in 2019 when he hit 23 HR and had a .734 OPS. Known more so for his defense, Yolmer Sanchez should occupy the starting second base job and has the potential to contribute offensively after leading the league in triples in 2018 with 10 while he was a member of the White Sox. Signed as recently as two weeks ago, Maikel Franco is set up to take over starting duties at the hot corner at Camden Yards. Franco played in all 60 games with Kansas City in 2020 and finished the year with a .778 OPS. With three consecutive 20+ homer seasons from 2016-2018 in Philadelphia, he may see an uptick in his power numbers while playing at Camden Yards. The Orioles also took flyers on starting pitchers Felix Hernandez and Matt Harvey, who were each signed to minor league contracts. Although King Felix had a setback recently with elbow discomfort, he should be ready for opening day. Unless the O’s front office would rather give their young pitchers a full season of pitching, expect Hernandez and Harvey to be a part of the big league rotation. With these moves being classified under the low-risk, high-reward category, there is no real way to fault Baltimore. But with the state of the rest of the teams in the division clearly different from how the Orioles view themselves, it may be a long summer of baseball in Maryland in 2021. While O’s fans should be eager for this rebuilding process to end, it may take some more time. My advice to the fans in Baltimore is this; hope the young players continue to show their worth, look for guys on one-year deals to play well enough in the first half to garner trade interest from contenders and enjoy watching Trey Mancini get back to playing baseball.

Potential Lineup-

1. Austin Hays, CF

2. Freddy Galvis, SS

3. Trey Mancini, 1B

4. Maikel Franco, 3B

5. Ryan Mountcastle, LF

6. DJ Stewert, DH

7. Anthony Santander, RF

8. Pedro Severino, C

9. Yolmer Sanchez, 2B

Potential Rotation-

1. John Means

2. Felix Hernandez

3. Wade LeBlanc

4. Matt Harvey

5. Keegan Akin

Best Relievers

Cesar Valdez

Thomas Eshelman

Tanner Scott

The American League East has the potential to be one of the more entertaining divisions in baseball in 2021. While many people across baseball view the Yankees as a clear favorite to win the divisional crown, the Blue Jays and Rays could easily be surprising and make it a closer race than I’ve projected. New York has the most complete team in the AL East and will be begging for a season with fewer injuries than in years past. Toronto will be carried by their star-studded lineup and will hope their starting pitching can perform at a relatively average to an above-average level. Tampa Bay will continue to be Tampa Bay, and has the potential to blow past my win total expectation if all goes right, but that is a big if. If Boston can have bounce back hitting performances and hold on with their pitching rotation, they may be better than people think. And unfortunately for Baltimore, it will be another season close to 100 losses while looking to get their young players more valuable experience. With each ballpark in the AL East being considered hitter-friendly, (except maybe Tropicana Field in St. Pete), we should be treated to high home run numbers in the dog days of August. With each team having at least one player with the ability to lead the league in home runs, there should be no scarcity of offensive fireworks in the American League East in 2021.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE