MLB Offseason Outlook: American League East

By: Lou Landers

The AL East was one of the more competitive divisions in MLB throughout the 2016 season. Four of the five teams were playoff contenders and had a winning percentage of .500 or better.

AL East 2016 Results:

Boston Red Sox: 93-69 (Division)

Toronto Blue Jays: 89-73 (Wild Card 1) 4.0 GB

Baltimore Orioles: 89-73 (Wild Card 2) 4.0 GB

New York Yankees: 84-78 9.0 GB

Tampa Bay Rays: 68-94 25 GB

Offseason Team Needs:

Boston: RHSP, 1B/DH

Toronto: 1B/Corner OF

Baltimore: Corner OF, SP

New York: CL, 1B/OF/DH, SP

Tampa: OF, C, RP, 1B

Players To Target/Moves to make:

Boston Red Sox: Target: Hellickson, Fister, Edwin, Napoli, Bautista

Toronto Blue Jays: Signed Kendrys Morales, Target: Fowler, Trumbo

Baltimore: Target: Trumbo, Desmond, Kazmir, Reddick

New York: Target: Chapman, Edwin, Cespedes, Chris Sale (Trade)

Tampa: Trade Chris Archer to ATL for all your needs. They have no money to sign players.

Conclusion/Bold Prediction:

The American League East will again be one baseballs best divisions in 2017. Each team is expected to make big moves this offseason and 3 or 4 of them will all be playoff contenders when the new season begins. The team who can sign Edwin and/or trade for Chris Sale is the one who will be the favorite IMO. My bold prediction is that the same team acquires both Sale and Edwin, and then wins AL East.

Which team do you think will have the best offseason?