Sorts of Sports

MLB 2011 Preview: AL EAST

Editor's Note: The 2011 MLB Season is around the corner. The Sorts of Sports staff gives you their division by division preview.

Since 1993, only three times has a team that didn't hail from Boston or New York win the American League East. Two of those three came since 2008 when the young Tampa Bay Rays climbed to the top of the division after years of building.

The sad part is that 2011 should return to form. With an already championship caliber pitching staff, the Red Sox cornered the free agent hitting market with the signings of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. The Bronx Bombers return with practically the same team that won 95 games and snagged the AL Wild Card last year.

After Tampa Bay's roster was purged, losing playoff veterans Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza and virtually the entire bullpen, a repeat of last year shouldn't be in the cards. For this reason I have no choice but to anoint the Red Sox as the division winner in 2011.

Winner: Red Sox (98-64)

For reasons previously stated, this team looks deep in every facet imaginable. The team's weakest link is at closer, where all signs point to a continued regression from his elite form. But, the young flame thrower Daniel Bard is waiting in the wings to grab the throne.

Fantasy Sleeper: Bard – Pick him up and stash him for now. At worst he's an elite middle reliever. Once he takes the closer role over it will be a steal.

Second: Rays (89-73)

Changing gears here a little, I think there is still enough pitching on this roster to keep them in contention. This may not be enough for the wild card, but they can match the Yankeers. There will be a gap in power Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez who aren't exactly AL East material. But I'm sold on Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon to bounce back and be motivated to spite their former employers.

Fantasy Sleeper: Desmond Jennings – When you're tired of B.J. Upton's .240 average in July, Jennings will be up filling in one of the corner positions. He's another Upton in waiting, just not as frustrating.

Third: Yankees (88-74)

The Yanks and Rays are interchangeable, and maybe I'm biased but it's fun to see the Yanks in third. When you're season depends on A.J. Burnett, maybe there is a problem. We know the fourth and fifth starter slots are a poo-poo platter (no, I'm not talking about Bartolo's post game meal). The bullpen will again be strong and the lineup stellar, but this is a hunch that lack of pitching will force New York to sit it out in October.

Fantasy Sleeper: None – You know who they all are. Swisher is going to be a good third outfielder, that's about it.

Fourth: Orioles (79-83)

The road back to mediocrity may finally be here. For once, the O's do not have a giant hole in their lineup. But that is until one of the aging bats (Brian Roberts, Derrek Lee, Vlad Guerrero) going on the DL in late April. It's apparent that this team will score enough runs to compete, but the ultimate question mark is firmly with the young pitching. Brian Matusz, Jake Arrietta, Chris Tillman and Zach Britton have been hot prospect names for three years. 2011 is the year to see what they got.

Fantasy Sleeper: J.J Hardy – You may laugh but in a historically shallow position you can do worse.

Fifth: Blue Jays (75-87)

Very similar to the Orioles, the Blue Jays have the bats but not the arms to compete. Toronto led the league in dingers last year with 257. Many will say that's attributed to the career year from Jose Bautista, but if you reduce his total from 54 to 9, they would still lead the majors. The offense will be one of the best in the bigs if the averages of Adam Lind, Aaron Hill and Edwin Encarnacion hover around a collective .260. Ricky Romero showed flashes of his skill in 2010 and if Kyle Drabek and Brett Cecil continue on their progression Toronto can surprise people.

Fantasy Sleeper: - Adam Lind. Yes, the same one who was a monumental disappointment last year. But he's careening down draft boards and shouldn't be. If you have an open utility spot around rounds 12-14, give him a flier.