American League Eastern Division 2010

The New York Yankees lose a little versatility with Johnson in the No. 2 spot instead of the speedy Johnny Damon and look to newly acquired Granderson to fill a roll. Granderson will look to get his strikeouts under control and see if he can find a little more success against lefties than he had with Detroit. Overall it's an impressive lineup and with the addition of Granderson this line-up just might be better than last years. I don’t see anyone taking over the first spot. Manager Joe Girardi will have some options to play with at times. On the hill, you have five solid pitchers that will go deep into games. Sabathia coming off of an impressive postseason that should only boost the ace's confidence even more.

 

 

First: New York: PROJECTED ROTATION: The Yankees have a much quality depth in their rotation as to last season. Added: RHP Javier Vazquez (trade with Braves), RHP Chan Ho Park (free agent from Phillies).

1. LHP CC Sabathia

2. RHP A.J. Burnett

3. LHP Andy Pettitte

4. RHP Javier Vazquez

5. RHP Phil Hughes or RHP Joba Chamberlain

 

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. SS Derek Jeter

2. DH Nick Johnson

3. 1B Mark Teixeira

4. 3B Alex Rodriguez

5. 2B Robinson Cano

6. C Jorge Posada

7. LF Curtis Granderson

8. RF Nick Swisher

9. CF Brett Gardner

 

 

 

Second: The Boston Red Sox will rely on a potentially effective line-up with a depth of good hitters rather than one or two great hitters in the middle as they did during the prime years of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. With the addition of ace John Lackey, outfielder Mike Cameron and infielders Marco Scutaro and Adrian Beltre we find a strong defense behind the mound but a much less potent offense. On the hill, Boston’s rotation has the opportunity to be golden with the addition of Lackey and if Matsuzaka returns to form they could be tops in the League.

 

PROJECTED ROTATION: This rotation has a chance to be the best in the majors, if Matsuzaka ever gets back into form.

1. LHP Jon Lester

2. RHP Josh Beckett

3. RHP John Lackey

4. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

5. RHP Clay Buchholz

 

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. SS Marco Scutaro

2. 2B Dustin Pedroia

3. 1B Kevin Youkilis

4. C Victor Martinez

5. DH David Ortiz

6. RF J.D. Drew

7. 3B Adrian Beltre

8. CF Mike Cameron

9. LF Jacoby Ellsbury

 

 

Third: Tampa Bay will be counting on a young arms and a still somewhat inexperienced rotation to carry them. Strange enough the Rays made no real moves in the off season and that was somewhat surprising. In our rakings and looking at handicapping the Rays we find it hard to believe that they will repeat the run they made after a very slow start last season.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP James Shields

2. RHP Matt Garza

3. RHP Jeff Niemann

4. LHP David Price

5. RHP Wade Davis

 

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. SS Jason Bartlett

2. LF Carl Crawford

3. 3B Evan Longoria

4. 1B Carlos Pena

5. 2B Ben Zobrist

6. CF B.J. Upton

7. DH Pat Burrell

8. RF Matt Joyce

9. C Kelly Shoppach or Dioner Navarro

 

 

Fourth: Baltimore has no clean-up hitter to speak of, but Reimold and Wieters have the potential to hit in a more pressure-packed slot and both are entering their first full big-league season. Baltimore is a tough handicap but we know they improved with the acquisition of Miguel Tejada and first baseman Garrett Atkins. The addition of Kevin Millwood was a must as they will send two rookies to mound as starters. There is no question Baltimore is moving in the right direction and will notch between 70 and 80 W’s.

 

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Kevin Millwood

2. RHP Jeremy Guthrie

3. LHP Brian Matusz

4. RHP Brad Bergesen

5. RHP Chris Tillman

 

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. 2B Brian Roberts

2. CF Adam Jones

3. RF Nick Markakis

4. 3B Miguel Tejada

5. DH Luke Scott

6. LF Nolan Reimold

7. C Matt Wieters

8. 1B Garrett Atkins

9. SS Cesar Izturis

 

 

Fifth: Toronto - with Roy Halladay gone, the Jays are without a true ace and probably don't have what most staff's would consider a solid No. 2, either. Looking at the line-up we find it difficult to see a true lead-off hitter and an offense that will stall often.

 

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Shaun Marcum

2. LHP Ricky Romero

3. RHP Brandon Morrow

4. LHP Marc Rzepczynski

5. LHP Brett Cecil

 

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. RF Jose Bautista

2. CF Vernon Wells

3. 2B Aaron Hill

4. DH Adam Lind

5. 3B Edwin Encarnacion

6. 1B Lyle Overbay

7. C John Buck

8. LF Travis Snider

9. SS Alex Gonzalez