American League East Projected 2017 Standings

Here are our projected 2017 standings for the AL East, based on this off season’s trades, injuries, and player promotions:

AL East:

1.   Boston Red Sox (92-70)

2.   New York Yankees (88-74)

3.   Baltimore Orioles (87-75)

4.   Toronto Blue Jays (85-77)

5.   Tampa Bay Rays (75-87)

The Red Sox keep first place by acquiring SP Chris Sale in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Yankees jump from 4^th to 2^nd place by signing elite closer Aroldis Chapman to a long-term deal. It is always likely that they will make a key move at the trade deadline to boost their position. Because of their lack of starting pitching and potential power regression, the Orioles fall to 3^rd in the division. After losing Edwin Encarnacion to the Indians, the Blue Jays will have a hard time fighting for a playoff spot again in 2017. This leaves the Rays finishing in 5^th place. Even after adding catcher Wilson Ramos, their lineup is still filled with holes. Furthermore, this is the not the Rays team of previous years that was stacked with starting pitching.

This division is one of the more competitive in the league, with at least 4 of the 5 teams conceivably fighting to earn a playoff spot. Injuries and deadline moves seem to always determine the outcome, and it is likely that 2017 will follow suit. Watch for the return of Boston’s David Price to give the Red Sox a mid-season boost, and for the Yankees to make a big splash at the trade deadline.