Hot Stove Update: American League East, Part 1

AL East 2013 in Review:

After a last place finish in 2012, the Red Sox flipped the script by not only winning the division, but winning their third Series in a decade. They led the division most of April after a hot 18-8 start but fell into third place in mid-May. They regained the division lead by the end of the month, then were involved in a close race until pulling away in early September and coasting to the division title with a 97-65 record.

The Rays took a brief lead on the Red Sox in July, but were in danger of missing the playoffs in mid-September, but finished on a 13-5 run to tie the Rangers for the second Wild Card spot. After winning the one game playoff withTexas, they knocked off the Indians in the Wild Card Game before losing to the Red Sox 3-1 in the ALDS.

The Orioles hung close for most of the season before fading in September. The Yankees suffered one of their worst seasons ever for injuries, using 57 players during the regular season. They were still alive for the playoffs til late in the year though, and were able to tie Baltimore with 85 wins. The Blue Jays (a preseason darling after their eventful offseason) never got anything going and finished 23 games back of Boston.

2013 lineups/rotation/bullpen are based on a balance of full season and September usage. For 2014 what you see is based on current MLB.com depth charts.

Red Sox

Transactions

Lost Free Agents: RP Matt Thornton to Yankees; OF Quinton Berry to Orioles (minor); RP Andrew Bailey (unsigned); SP Alfredo Aceves (unsigned); RP Jose Contreras to Rangers (minor); SS Stephen Drew (unsigned); CF Jacoby Ellsbury to Yankees; RP Joel Hanrahan (unsigned); RP Brandon Lyon (released); IF John McDonald to Dodgers (minor); C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Marlins

Signed Free Agents: Signed C AJ Pierzynski; RP Edward Mujica; 1B Mike Napoli (resigned); OF Grady Sizemore; RP Tommy Layne (minor)

Trades: RP Luis Ortega to Brewers for RP Burke Badenhop; RP Franklin Morales and RP Chris Martin to Rockies for SS Jonathan Herrera

2014 Outlook

After going from the outhouse to the penthouse last season, the Red Sox were unafraid to make a shift in personnel in their bid to become the first repeat champions since the Yankees finished their three-peat in 2000. They let Ellsbury, Saltalamacchia and Drew all walk. The only one of those three they might miss is Ellsbury, as Bradley is unproven to date. If Pierzynski doesn't finally show any aging, he should adequately replace Saltalamacchia. I am not sold on Nava in left, but Gomes is still around if needed. Tribe favorite Sizemore could displace one of those guys, but coming back from all of those injuries is a lot to ask. It will be interesting to see how he does. The rotation stays intact, and is actually very good. The bullpen added a quality arm in former Cardinal closer (and LGFT) Mujica. However, almost every move in 2013 went on the positive side of the ledger. For this season I would expect a bit more regression to the mean, but they definitely should be in the mix for 90 or so wins.

Rays

Transactions

Lost Free Agents: CL Fernando Rodney to Mariners; RP Jesse Crain to Astros; SP Roberto Hernandez/Carmona to Phillies; IF Kelly Johnson to Yankees; RP Jamey Wright to Dodgers; RP Wesley Wright to Cubs; SP Jeff Niemann (unsigned); DH Luke Scott (unsigned); IF Freddy Guzman (unsigned); OF Jason Bourgeois to Reds (minor); 1B Shelley Duncan to Diamondbacks (minor); OF Sam Fuld to A's (minor); RP Ramon Ramirez to Mariners (minor); IF Ryan Roberts to Cubs (minor); DH Delmon Young to Orioles (minor)

Signed Free Agents: CL Grant Balfour; 1B James Loney (resigned); C Jose Molina (resigned); OF David DeJesus (resigned); RP Juan Carlos Oviedo (resigned); RP Mark Lowe (minor); IF Jayson Nix (minor); IF Wilson Betemit (minor)

Trades: RP Justin Choate and CF Todd Glaesman to Diamondbacks for RP Heath Bell and C Ryan Hanigan from Reds; RP Alex Torres and SP Jesse Hahn to Padres for 2B Logan Forsythe, RP Brad Boxberger, RP Matt Andriese, RP Matt Hollis and SS Maxx Tissenbaum

Waivers: Lost C Chris Gimenez to A's

2014 Outlook

The Rays had a fantastic finish in 2013, including road playoff wins at Texas and in Cleveland to end up in the ALDS against the Red Sox. The lineup for 2014 stays mostly intact, with the changes being Young being let go (not a big loss) and adding Ryan Hanigan as their catcher. If Loney can duplicate his 2013 (somewhat of an outlier), the lineup should be in very good shape as Longoria, Myers, Zobrist, Joyce and Jennings are a very solid core. Price was on the block all winter, but at a diamond premium price. He returns to lead the best rotation in the AL. The bullpen got a bit of a shakeup as Balfour takes over for Rodney and Bell and Lowe are added to the mix. I'd like to think the Rays are the favorite on paper for the AL East crown in 2014.

Next up, the Orioles, Yankees and Blue Jays