Bold prediction - The East race will be tight enough the Red Sox will need to make a splash like Sale or Pomeranz at the deadline. For fun, I'm gonna say the Sox go get Sonny Gray.
Breakout player: Eduardo Rodriguez LHP
Toronto Blue Jays - Another one of the League’s most potent offenses, the Jays are going to have to replace Edwin Encarnacion and his production. Offseason signee Steve Pearce will help in that. Look for a big year out of Jose Bautista after resigning with Toronto on a one year deal since he was unable to secure a multi year deal. If the Blue Jays find some pitching, they could give Boston a run for the division.
Bold prediction: The Blue Jays will need to shore up their bullpen with several pieces, look for them deal for guys like David Robertson or Sean Doolittle.
Breakout player: Steve Pearce 1B/2B/3B/LF
Baltimore Orioles - Perhaps the premier offense in all of baseball, the O’s troubles for several years now has been the inability to find consistent pitching. If they can get six solid innings out of any one of their starters on any given night, their bullpen is good enough to get them to the end.
Bold prediction: The Orioles will really challenge former Illinois standout and no. 2 prospect Cody Sedlock to help their pitching. Look for a July or August debut with bullpen appearances likely for his first time through the show.
Breakout player: Hyun Soo Kim LF/RF
New York Yankees - The Yankees perhaps had the biggest trade deadline in recent memory and those acquisitions should certainly pay dividends if upper management can stay patient and let them get through the system. With some recognizable names in the lineup, I don't see the Yankees hitting enough or pitching enough to keep up with Baltimore, Toronto or Boston.
Bold prediction: If Chris Carter and Matt Holiday hit enough this year, they could be trade chips for what could be another active trade deadline in the Bronx.
Breakout player: Luis Cessa RHP
Tampa Bay Rays - The Rays just don't have it this year. Their offense isn't as strong as the others in this division. The pitching is leaps and bounds better than anyone else's, but it's just not enough. There's plenty of good talent coming, but it's not coming soon enough.
Bold prediction: If you're looking for an empty bandwagon to jump on, get on the Rays bandwagon because it's only going to build as we get closer to 2018.
Breakout player: Kevin Kiermaier OF
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