As teams report for spring training, new faces are on new teams. The most notable changes are James Shields, who signed four-year $75 million deal with the Padres, Jon Lester to the Cubs, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez to the Red Sox, and Joe Maddon to the Cubs as their new manager. But what do these changes mean for the upcoming season?
AL EAST 1. BALTIMORE ORIOLES -They won the division last year, and I expect them to repeat due to the fact that they have a good rotation and a better offense. 2. BOSTON RED SOX -With the additions of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, the offense has been boosted. But, they have a struggle with where to put Ramirez, but it's a good problem to have. 3.TORONTO BLUE JAYS -They finished third last season, mainly due to a less than stellar defense. Their offense has no problem producing, mainly thanks to Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Expect the same this season. 4.NEW YORK YANKEES -The Yankees will miss the postseason for the second straight year because they simply cannot keep teams from scoring runs. The pitchers need a defense to work well behind them, but they don't have that kind of defense. 5.TAMPA BAY RAYS -The Rays will dwell in the cellar. No rotation, no defense, no offense, no game. AL CENTRAL 1. KANSAS CITY ROYALS -Lost in the World Series, lost James Shields to the Padres, but not gonna lose the AL Central. 2. CLEVELAND INDIANS - The Tribe was close to a playoff spot last year and this year they'll get it. They have a solid rotation and a decent offense, but their lacking defense will cause big problems. 3. DETROIT TIGERS - Losing Max Scherzer is gonna hurt. Badly. With Scherzer cruising the capital, the Tigers are now left with one solid option. David Price will most likely be good, but Justin Verlander is shaky. 4. CHICAGO WHITE SOX - Where do I start? How about with their lack of defense. Their defense is struggling, but the addition of Jeff Samardzjia may help. 5. MINNESOTA TWINS - With Joe Mauer on the obvious downward spiral towards retirement, the Twins are lacking leadership and talent. AL WEST 1. OAKLAND ATHLETICS - The A's saw a promising season and a huge lead slip away in the playoffs. This season will be different for the A's. 2. LOS ANGELES ANGELS - It all starts with Mike Trout for the Angels and this season should be no different. Trout will lead the offense to a decent season. 3. SEATTLE MARINERS - Felix Hernandez is going to be amazing again, but the rest of the team won't catch up to him. 4. HOUSTON ASTROS - The Astros have the best looking farm system in all of the MLB, but they aren't ready to win now. 5. TEXAS RANGERS - Yu Darvish is the best player on the Rangers' roster, but you cannot win with only one good pitcher. This concludes the AL predictions. Within this week, the NL shall be released, then following that the playoff predictions will be released.
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