American League East Preview

Champion: New York Yankees

I am not a Yankees fan, but it is hard to ignore this year's Bronx edition. This winter saw another pin striped splash as pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda we're moved in from the PST (Pacific Standard Time). The former Dodger Kuroda had been coveted by Brian Cashman for over a year. Cashman finally had the chance to add him this off-season through free agency and didn't lose his grip on this opportunity. Kuroda is a crafty Japanese veteran with an arsenal of pitches. He induces groundballs and should find success, despite moving from the NL to the AL. Pineda was acquired from Seattle in exchange for super-prospect Jesus Montero. Typically, the Yankees mortgage their futures to get proven stars, but this time they sacrificed their system's best prospect for a fireball pitcher in Pineda - who has youth to boot. The 23 year-old Pineda has an arm that is alive, but showing up to Spring Training 25 pounds over weight will not sit well with Joe Girardi. Despite the additions, the dominance doesn't lie in the staff, it lies in the lineup. The lineup in New York is the most feared in all of baseball. Robby Cano is arguably one of the top pure hitters in baseball. He can hit to all parts of the park - for power and average. This lineup is flat out scary. They also signed Raul Ibanez, hoping for a bounce back from a 2011 in which he struggled. Ibanez, at age 39, will fit in great with the cribbage games and crocheting in the Yankee locker room. 

I love Tampa's rotation and I love Boston's lineup, but I don't see either team putting it together enough to catch the Yankees. 


     Division MVP: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays


 In 2010, after a record breaking season, the Blue Jays decided to sign Bautista to a 5 year $64 million extension. Across the league, it was considered an overreaction to a fluke season. Debate was raised as to whether or not the deal was smart, considering his previous career high of home runs before 2010 was 16. Bautista confirmed the deal's validity, by not only again hitting 40 homers (43), but also increasing his batting average 40 points (.302 from .260). Bautista is an anchor to an up-and-coming Blue Jays team on the cusp of contention in baseball's best division. 


   
Division CY Young: James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays
   
    It is fair to say James Shields could be the American League's most overlooked pitcher. His tireless work ethic has made him one of baseball's durable horses. 2011 saw Shields log almost 250 innings and posting an ERA under 3 at 2.82. He struggled in 2010, but re-gained his old form plus some. His 2009 and 2010 seasons witnessed a combined total of zero complete games. Last season, Shields had 11 of them. Many say he isn't the best pitcher on his own team, but his value to this team cannot be overstated. He'll push towards 20 wins, finishing with about 17 due to a lack of run support. His ERA will be scratch and he will log another 200+ innings. 


  


Division Bold Prediction: Alex Rodriguez will bat .300, hit 30 HRs and drive in 100 RBIs
   It would be great to pose this prediction in 2003 at a Fantasy Baseball draft and watch the glasses fog up with laughter. Not funnyyyy, because this isn't 2003, it's 2012 and Alex Rodriguez is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons of his career. He hit a measly 16 homers and only had 428 plate appearances - his lowest totals since 1995. At age 36, he is still owed nearly $145 million dollars over the next 6 years. He will not produce for that long, but at 36 he can still produce. If a player can't hit with the type of protection in the order A-Rod will have in New York, a player can't hit at all. A-Rod will prove his value to the Bombers again in 2012. 


Oh yeah, and the Baltimore Orioles will finish in last place. 


Troy Klongerbo III