The newspaper’s Mark W. Sanchez previews the American League East as MLB spring training begins.
baltimore orioles
2023: 101-61
Manager: Brandon Hyde (6th season)
Spring training site: Sarasota, Florida
Main additions: It took most of the winter, but the Orioles found their ace in Corbin Burnes — a key piece they were missing last season. The only player signed with a major league deal through the offseason was Craig Kimbrel, who is expected to replace All-Star closer Felix Bautista (Tommy John surgery).
Main losses: The departure of several useful, if not overwhelming, veterans means this season’s young Orioles group could be even younger. Starting pitchers Kyle Gibson and Jack Flaherty, utility man Adam Frazier and outfielder Aaron Hicks were signed elsewhere. To acquire Barnes, they needed top prospects DL Hall and Joey Ortiz.
Featured stories: The hunter became the hunted. The feel-good story of the 2023 Orioles is over, and the question will be whether the Orioles of this century can live up to ever-higher expectations. They have star power in Barnes, Adoree Rutschman, and Gunnar Henderson. There’s a quietly solid rotation (including the rising Grayson Rodriguez) and plenty of upside with nearly everyone returning from last season’s fourth-ranked offense in the AL.
boston red sox
2023: 78-84
manager: Alex Cora (Season 4, 6th overall)
Spring training site: Fort Myers, Florida
Main additions: Oddly enough, there are some big names in the front office, with Craig Breslow taking over as GM and Theo Epstein returning as an advisor to the ownership group. Otherwise, Lucas Giolito can eat innings at worst and efficiently at best. Former Braves infielder Vaughn Grissom has been a great second baseman. Tyler O’Neal, who was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals, is a candidate to return if healthy.
Main losses: A legend in Chris Sale is gone, as are several veterans from last season (Justin Turner, James Paxton, Alex Verdugo, Adam Duvall). Among Boston’s eligible hitters last season, Duvall (.834) and Turner (.800) had his third and fifth highest OPS, respectively.
Featured stories: The Red Sox were unable to improve their level externally. Can their internal progress make up for it? Triston Casas looks like a good building block, and Brayan Bello and Cutter Crawford are two interesting rotation pieces. New prospects are emerging, from shortstop Marcelo Mayer to catcher Kyle Thiel to utility man Sedan Rafaela to outfielder Roman Anthony. Can their future come soon after their last place streak ends?
tampa bay rays
2023: 99-63
manager: Kevin Cash (Season 10)
Spring training site: Port Charlotte, Florida
Main additions: There are a few players you may not have heard of that could definitely help the Rays win a championship in September. The trade for veterans and emerging major leaguers resulted in the acquisition of second-year infielder Jose Caballero, who could become a shortstop, young outfielders Johnny DeLuca and Richie Palacios, and promising starting pitcher Ryan Peppiot. Right-handed relievers Phil Mayton and Chris Devenski are the only major league free agent signings.
Main losses: Tampa Bay expects Pepiott to replace Tyler Glasnow. DeLuca could fill in for Manuel Margo. Palacios could fill in for Luke Lally. And Mayton and Devenski could fill in for Robert Stevenson and Andrew Kittredge.
Featured stories: Can their great factory keep ringing even with the loss of more standout products? Will top prospect Junior Caminero help the Rays forget about Wander Franco? Could Shane Baz, who was a top prospect before Tommy John surgery in 2022, replace Shane McClanahan, who will miss the season after undergoing surgery on his own elbow? Buzz likely won’t be ready to start the season, but he, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen are likely to be early-to-mid season additions.
toronto blue jays
2023: 89-73
manager: John Schneider (3rd season, 2nd season completed)
Spring training site: Dunedin, Florida
Main additions: Best of all, the Blue Jays have become more flexible by adding Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner to their infield. Yariel Rodriguez, an attractive right-hander from Cuba, was brought in for at least a setup role and potentially a starting job.
Main losses: IKF will essentially replace Whit Merrifield, and Turner, who is below average but can play corner, will replace the departed Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman. Hyun-jin Ryu and Jordan Hicks left the pitching staff, which had lost their credibility and edge.
Featured stories: After acquiring both Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and getting a strikeout, will the Blue Jays use that unspent money to acquire Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, or one of their top free agents? If not, Toronto’s best hope is to bounce back from underperforming players in 2023 such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alec Manoah.
