The top-tier division in Major League Baseball for the 2024 season was the National League West. The World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers were only marginally better than the San Diego Padres, who were taken out in a five-game thriller of an NLDS series.
Not far off from these two powerhouse clubs were the Arizona Diamondbacks, who, with a supercharged offense, fell just short of the playoffs. These three clubs battled it out, and let’s also throw in the San Francisco Giants, who flirted with contention for most of the season. This four-team race resembled what used to be the American League East.
The American League East has always been a dogfight between the strongest, most balanced teams in baseball. Classic rivalries make for must-watch TV for loyal fans. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have interchangeably taken the division from one another, with the Red Sox having the upper hand regarding World Series wins since the turn of the century. Still, the Bronx Bombers safely hold the title of most World Series crowns ever.
The Baltimore Orioles have experienced ups and downs in this division. Despite not having won a World Series since 1983, they are poised to compete with a highly talented young core of players for many years. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays have also had some recent success in terms of playoff representation, and both clubs will have their work cut out for them in terms of shaking up the division and restoring faith in their loyal fanbases.
Based on a lively and transitional offseason for the teams in this division, here is the first installment and early prediction for how the 2025 season could potentially finish in the once-powerful American League East.
Tampa Bay Rays 102-60 (First Place)
Manager Kevin Cash will rally this temporarily homeless team to an unheralded division title in 2025. The Rays must play at the Yankees Spring Training Facility, Steinbrenner Field in Fort Lauderdale. This bandbox of a stadium will be a launching pad for the likes of budding superstar Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, and newly signed slugger Eloy Jimenez. The Rays, as usual, will have all positions covered with fundamentally sound defense.
The ultimate piece separating the Rays from the rest of the division is the three dominant aces at the top of the rotation. Fireballer Shane McClanahan is looking to return at full strength, followed by the often dominant Ryan Pepiot and 23-year-old emerging star Taj Bradley. The Rays will do more than just compete; they will play, similarly to the A’s, with a chip on their shoulder. They are somewhat of a transient club with nothing to lose. With the amount of superior young talent slated to be in the lineup on opening day, the Rays will be the team to watch in the American League East.
New York Yankees 98-64 (Wild Card)
It is difficult to imagine the Bronx Bombers finishing anything less than first place in the American League East, given their numerous acquisitions and signings during the course of this offseason. On paper, the rotation of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil seems like a fan’s absolute dream. The Yankees, however, are perpetually prone to injuries, and an injury to any of these starting pitchers has, historically, had a negative ripple effect.
The offense, led by MVP Aaron Judge, could surpass the massive output brought in 2024, but with the loss of Juan Soto, it seems unlikely. Given their stats, these past couple of seasons, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt will have difficulty filling that void. Devin Williams certainly lights out as the new closer, but he has some potential injury concerns. The Yankees still have not addressed their infield configuration. Specifically, second and third base, with Jazz Chisholm still wondering what position he will settle at. If the Yankees are healthy, the division could very well be theirs. At the time of this article, there are still big questions that remain unanswered.
Boston Red Sox 97-65 (Wild Card)
The American League East rivalry of the Red Sox vs. Yankees will see a complete resurgence in 2025. The Red Sox rotation will match perfectly with what the Yankees intend to bring. At the top is the newly acquired Garret Crochet, the former ace of the dismal White Sox but a pitcher projected to be a star at Fenway. Following the lefty Crochet is another new acquisition in former Dodger fireballer Walker Beuhler.
Adding these two highly touted pitchers to an already decent rotation that includes Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Cooper Criswell. The Red Sox have the makings of something special regarding a starting rotation. There is also former All-Star Lucas Giolito, who can serve as a viable option at the back end as a fifth starter but might still have the stuff of an ace.
Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen will allow for a closer-by-committee situation at camp, with the likelihood of the Cuban Missile taking the ball in the late innings becoming more of a fixture as the season begins. The usual cast of sluggers in the lineup, led by superstar third baseman Rafael Devers, will benefit enormously from a clean bill of health to its starters. Trevor Story has proven ability to perform at an All-Star level, and Tristan Casas is ready to leap towards becoming a perennial All-Star himself. With Jaren Duran anchoring the Fenway outfield and putting up his usual high production level, the 2025 Boston Red Sox will be serious contenders in the American League East, as long as they enter the dance.
Baltimore Orioles 92-70 (Fourth Place)
The Orioles have proven that they are contenders in the American League East division. The rebuild that this organization has seen is now culminating with ultimate success. It is a testament to their system and scouting department. They field more system-grown players on their roster than any other team in the division. The players they have produced are now household names regarding star power in Major League Baseball. Anchoring the movement are former No. 1 draft pick, catcher Adley Rutschman, star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.
The top of the Orioles lineup is as strong as any team in baseball. Their bullpen is another key component to this team’s success. They are hoping for dominant closer Felix Bautista to return to form after returning from the injury that had him sidelined for the entire 2024 season. Bautista will have a strong supporting cast in the bullpen.
The loss of Anthony Santander in the lineup could be offset by the acquisition of power hitter Tyler O’Neil, who is geared towards likely having some time playing time in the outfield and being the regular DH, sharing this role with Heston Kjerstad. The outfield will need regular production from the very capable Cedric Mullins and Rookie of the Year runner-up Colton Cowser. There is enormous potential for success with this young group, which includes a sophomore campaign for Jackson Holiday and hopefully a full, healthy season for emerging star Jordan Westburg.
The O’s continue to be stacked with homegrown talent. The only question is their rotation and the irreplaceable loss of ace pitcher Corbin Burnes. A cast led by veteran Zach Eflin, followed by hard-throwing righty Grayson Rodriguez and lefty Cade Povich, will be assigned the difficult task of containing the high-powered offense of opposing American League East clubs.
Toronto Blue Jays 70-92 (Fifth Place)
Rebuild, Rebuild, Rebuild! The Blue Jays appeared interested in making waves in the American League East this offseason by offering a serious pitch toward acquiring Soto. Instead, they traded for Andres Gimenez, formerly a middle infield wizard and platinum glove winner. The move is strange in that the Blue Jays appeared to have plenty of options at second base and still have two-time All-Star Bo Bichette at shortstop.
Perhaps this move is looking ahead at moving Gimenez to shortstop when Bichette departs from his tenure as a Jay, whether through a trade before the deadline or free agency upon the season’s end. Likely to go similarly will be Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will almost definitely command a massive contract from a list of potential suitors, provided he puts up the type of power numbers that Toronto fans have come to expect from their All-Star first baseman.
This prediction could very well be reversed if these two young players have career years. The Jays can compete if they produce and provide run support for an excellent pitching staff of Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and the surprisingly consistent, at times dominant Bowden Francis. Unfortunately for the Jays, there are just too many holes to fill. They will sometimes hang around and possibly play spoiler, but Jays fans will need to be patient and trust the rebuilding process in the coming years.
End Of My American League East Rant!
Look to the American League East for the best rivalries and playoff races in 2025. Over the past few seasons, this description best suited the National League West. The action, the nail-biting matchups, and the daily obsession with stats and standings are about to return to the loyal fanbases of the proud cities in the American League East. It will be exciting and intense!
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