Baseball Mid Year Report Card (AL East)

(Records as of June 30)

AL East

1.       Boston Red Sox (50-34)

The Red Sox have made a complete turnaround after a nightmare season in 2012. I did not think it was probable as they were completely dysfunctional. However, the Red Sox got rid of problems and brought in high character players. They have scored the most runs in baseball and have the best run differential in the American League at +80. The usual suspects, Dustin Pedroia and Davis Ortiz, have led the offense. Jacoby Ellsbury has rebounded after an injury plagued 2012, Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli were solid offseason acquisitions, and Daniel Nava has stepped up. While the offense is not as intimidating or deep as the lineups in the last decade, the Red Sox have put together a lineup of solid hitters that get the job done. The return of former pitching coach John Farrell as manager has helped turn the pitching staff around. Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, and even John Lackey have pitched a lot better. Buchholz is in the Cy Young conversation. Ryan Dempster was a solid veteran pickup. However, the bullpen is very shaky. Offseason acquisition closer Joel Hanrahan was not pitching well, got hurt, and is out for the season. Andrew Bailey had the closer job for a bit but has lost it. The Red Sox are trying to figure out the closer issue as it is costing them some games. Overall, the Red Sox will definitely be buyers at the trade deadline. They could use another starting pitcher, another hitter, and some bullpen help. Regardless, they have enough to stay at the top of the division and win it.

Grade: A

2.       Baltimore Orioles (47-36)

The Orioles are proving that last year was no fluke. While their starting pitching is shaky and Jim Johnson has not nearly been as good as he was last year with 5 blown saves and 6 losses already in 2013, their offense is legitimate. First basemen Chris Davis’s breakout and career season is one of the best stories in baseball as he is batting .332 with 31 homeruns and 80 RBIs. He is currently on pace for 60 homeruns. Moreover, third basemen Manny Machado is establishing himself as a future superstar. At only 20 years old, he is batting .316 with 6 homers and 42 RBIs. He also has 38 doubles. When he gets stronger, those doubles can translate to more homeruns. Nevertheless, he is already an extra base machine. The Orioles are definitely buyers and will be looking everywhere for pitching. Scot Feldman is a solid trade acquisition but they can use another starter. Eventually, they will either have to develop or trade for a true ace to have a legitimate chance to win the World Series. They were counting on top prospect Dylan Bundy emerging and becoming that ace but he got hurt and needed Tommy John Surgery. As such, it will be at least 2 years before he can make an impact. Their other top prospect Kevin Gausman initially struggled when he was called up but has pitched much better out of the bullpen. They will need him to go back into the rotation and contribute.

Grade: B+

3.       Tampa Bay Rays (43-39)

The Rays have depended on their pitching and defense in recent years. Their pitching has not been as good this year but their offense has been better this year and kept them afloat. Evan Longoria continues to prove he can carry an offense when healthy. Ben Zobrist is also a solid player and hitter. The Rays have also gotten some power from Matt Joyce and Kelly Johnson. Desmond Jennings has provided decent production but he has been bit of a disappointment as he was a top prospect and the Rays were expecting more. The Rays have also recently called up top prospect Wil Myers, acquired for James Shields, and he has shown in the early going that he can make an impact. On the pitching side, Defending CY Young winner David Price has been bad and injured. Alex Cobb has been their best pitcher but is currently out after being hit in the face by a line drive. Matt Moore has shown dominating stuff and has good overall stats but is still too wild. Moreover, Fernando Rodney had a career and historic year last year as the closer. He has regressed back to his career averages and made the end of games a very shaky for the Rays. The Rays will definitely have to turn their pitching around to contend for the division. Finances are always a problem for the Rays. While they could use another hitter, their finances will probably prevent them from trading for impact hitters. As such, Jennings will have to play better and Wil Myers will have to be the real deal.

Grade: B-

4.       New York Yankees (42-39)

The Yankees lost significant offense during the offseason due to allowing free agents to leave and injuries to Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. They incurred additional injuries to sluggers Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira before the season and they played limited games before getting hurt again. Moreover, key offseason acquisition Kevin Youkilis got hurt as well. After years of having juggernaut offenses, the Yankees have one of the worst offenses in the league that relies on Robinson Cano. They stayed afloat the first 2 months riding hot starts from Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner but have struggled mightily as the lack of offensive firepower is rearing its head over a long season. Their recent struggles have put them closer to last place than first place in the division. The pitching has been solid but it cannot make up for the anemic offense as the run differential is -16, which is worst in the AL East. With the current lineup, the pitching needs to be dominant to have a chance to win as there is no margin of error. On a positive note, Mariano Rivera looks as dominating as ever in his final season. The Yankees will always be buyers. However, they are committed to being under the salary cap next year to reset the luxury tax. As such, they are restricted from adding players that do not have any money owed to them after this year. Their injured hitters have not played in awhile and are recovering from serious injuries. As such, I do not know if the Yankees can expect too much from them. They may have to try to acquire a couple of hitters. While a couple of pitchers have injury risk and are inconsistent, the Yankees will be getting Michael Pineda back soon, who was acquired for Jesus Montero but missed all of last season. As such, the priority will be trying to get hitters although acquiring another pitcher can never hurt.

Grade: B-

5.       Toronto Blue Jays (40-41)

The Blue Jays made big acquisitions and spent a lot of money in the offseason. The start of their season was a disaster. Nevertheless, they have turned it around and played their way to .500 and in position to play themselves back into contention. Their lineup is loaded with power and leadoff man Jose Reyes is back from injury and looking very good. As such, they should have plenty of offense to make a push in the second half. Their pitching is a huge problem. Their big offseason acquisitions of NL Young winner R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, and Mark Buerhle have all been bad. Brandon Morrow had a breakout season last year but has also been bad this year. Dickey has looked better the last two starts and he will have to start pitching like the ace they expected to lead the staff. Their bullpen has been excellent and led by Casey Janssen who has continued to be great as the closer. Nevertheless, they will need to turn their starting pitching around to have any chance of making a run at a playoff spot. As it is too many starters struggling, I doubt they will be able to do it. As the Blue Jays have already spent a lot of money, I expect them to be buyers and try to acquire another starter. Regardless, they have done well to get back into the race.

Grade: C+

Comments