AL East Predictions in 2008

The Red Sox didn't get Johan Santana, but they also didn't give up their super-talented young players like Ellsbury and Pedroia. The line-up is flat out loaded and should be one of the highest scoring teams once again in 2008. The bullpen is almost unhittable with Papelbon and Okajima, so the pressure on the starting pitching, at least in the regular season, is rather minimal. But they are good as well. Your best chance to be them is playing in a National League park hoping to catch Wakefield or Lester on a bad night.

The Yankees who looked too old in 2007 just got a year older. Young talent was not brought in, so look for a similar result in 2008. They will win their games in the regular season (sorry Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto), but will sputter down the stretch. Phil Hughes and Chien-Ming Wang will be nice to watch (and own in fantasy leagues), but the pitching will get roughed up again this season. The window has closed on the Yankees until either they get younger or spend a lot more money on superstars not past their prime (sorry Jeter and Arod). They have been without a farm system for so long, the Yankees have gotten too accustomed to having their picks of prized free agents every season. Now, guys want to go elsewhere (like Boston) because New York hasn't won a championship since 2000, which frankly seems longer than 8 years ago.

The Orioles have improved on paper heading into 2008, but unfortunately that will go largely unnoticed finishing 4th in the AL East. The team is young, but can definitely develop the talent to make a better run in 2009 and beyond. Keep an eye on Nick Markakis (up-and-comer) and Aubrey Huff (poised for a rebound) throughout the season.

The Blue Jays have a number of talented players to watch in 2008, but like Baltimore, that means little in a division where making the playoffs outside of Boston and New York is unheard of. Vernon Wells and Alex Rios can flat out rake the ball, while Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan are two of the best at their respective positions. Those pieces translate into 70-85 wins and a middle-of-the-pack finish in the AL East in 2008.