MLB American League East Preview: Stacked Sox Ahead of the Bunch

The snow is starting to melt and as we wait for the "official" start to spring, the first talk of Albert Pujols and his failed contract extension agreement means..."play ball."

A lot of teams have already got their pitchers, catchers and position players stretched and warmed up, so I'm ready to move on to the postseason.

Wait....playoffs? Seriously though, it's obvious that there are already some standout teams that will be frontrunners in the playoff hunt come next October.

So, let's start with the American League East:

The Boston Red Sox and The New York Yankees again will be the teams to beat in the American League East. I promise you, I am not even giving a bias account, since the team I like is on the opposite coast of these two. (I won't reveal who they are until I break down their division at a later time...) But anyways, these two teams are again stacked.

I have to pick the Bo-Sox as the ultimate king of this division from the huge pick-ups they've made over the off-season. While David Ortiz will be celebrating his 36th birthday come November, he will ultimately be asked the question time and time again, "will this be your last season in a Red Sox uniform?" I can say this with confidence because after the team was thinking about exercising a $12.5 million option on his contract, his so-so numbers last season eventually ended the discussion with the team flexing their muscles in a different direction....no extension at all.

So as the Big Papi era is coming to a close, the Red Sox still reign supreme.

Boston played smart by thinking about who could possibly replace their go-to hitter. Ortiz ended the season with .270 batting average, 32 homers, and 109 RBIs, so he will still be a key factor this year and a nice complinent to their newly aquired Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres. While he's recovering from shoulder surgery in the off-season, it may just mean a slow start to a first baseman who ended the season with a batting average just below .300 and nearly the same numbers as Papi in homers and RBIs. He has also reported he's ahead of schedule in his recovery...even better news for the Sox.

Still with a mediocre Ortiz and a recovering Gonzalez a few other men should be able to contribute for the Sox. Including righties Dustin Pedrioa and Kevin Youkillis who's last season averages are nearly .300 as well. This bunch will compliment eachother nicely.

But, there's still more to come....

The pick-up of Carl Crawford from the Rays was excellent. He posted career bests last season in homers, runs and RBIs. He was also a 2010 American League Gold Glove winner and American League Silver Slugger recipient.

The best offseason pick-ups goes to the Boston Red Sox and that's why they will be the team to beat come April 2011.

The "pinstripes" aren't far behind though. Not only because of their salary (always a factor), but because they enter the game with a lot of familiar faces that have become a staple in New York. Of course, Jeter and A-Rod will be there, but don't forget Robinson Cano, who was the standout and most improved player in the 2009-2010 season. He put up some of the most incredible numbers of his career. As a player who I believe was always overlooked, he won't be forgotten this year. The second baseman won the 2010 American League Gold Glove at second base and the American Silver slugger award and was one of the most reliable players in the game. His season average...a commanding .319 with 29 homers and 109 RBIs. Now that's what I call impressive.

And while Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are staples in the outfield, watch out for left fielder, Brett Gardner. He's not only passionate about the game, but his quick steps around the bases got him 47 stolen bases last season, 26 infield hits and 7 bunts. He didn't finish the season too well last year, but there's room for improvement, especially with the mentors he's surrounded by.

I do wonder how the pitching rotation will go this year though, as they post over 20 men on their pitching roster as of now. Rafael Soriano was added to the roster and C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes will be there, but how about Joba Chamberlain and A.J. Burnett...will they make the cut?

As for the Tampa Bay Rays, will they again be able to cope with a owner who wanted to downsize their current payroll? We knew Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford wouldn't return, but they also said goodbye to Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. Will Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez get it done?

I have little to say about the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays except who will end up on the bottom? The poor Jays lost their staple and beloved pitcher Roy Halladay to the Phillies. That and the fact that the O's did aquire a few new players, veterans Vladamir Guererro and Derrek Lee. I seem to think the Toronto will have the worst time in this division.

So here is how I call the division come October...

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays