AL East Predictions in 2008

The AL East is not really a division in the conventional sense. Most division have five teams in it, but in the AL East, there are only two every year. At least that's the impression that the Yankees and Red Sox have left. As the Yankees and Red Sox brawl every year, the three also rans in the AL East are left to pick up scraps. This year, there is no expectation that the AL East pecking order will change from that perception. It is only a question of which AL East empire will be first and which will be second- or is it?

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays fit the traditional third place spot in the AL East every year. Though not quite back at the level of the Blue Jays glory years in the 80's and early 90's, the Jays do consistently post winning records. However, though they may flirt with the level of the Yankees and Red Sox early in the summer, the Blue Jays aren't able to get there. This year, additions in Scott Rolan and David Eckstein hope to get the Blue Jays to that rarified air in the AL East for good.

Baltimore Orioles

Rebuilding continues for the Orioles, who also used to have glory days in the 90's before falling apart. Perhaps the Orioles won't give up 30 runs at one point again, but the fans at Camden Yards have to maintain their patience.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Year in and year in, while other expansion teams in other sports start winning after a few years, the Devil Rays continue to flounder. Over a decade of losing is a hard prospect for any team to handle. But for the Devil Rays, who have to play in the AL East against the Yankees and Red Sox, it's a particularly tough hole to climb out of it. Therefore, the rumors that the Devil Rays are interested in Barry Bonds seem more like a sign of desperation, and an attempt to be relevant for the first time, than anything else.

New York Yankees