{"id":802,"date":"2008-11-10T06:00:12","date_gmt":"2008-11-10T13:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/11\/10\/2008-season-review-al-east\/"},"modified":"2008-11-10T06:00:57","modified_gmt":"2008-11-10T13:00:57","slug":"2008-season-review-al-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/11\/10\/2008-season-review-al-east\/","title":{"rendered":"2008 Season Review: AL East"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

It was an amazing season in the American League East.\u00c2\u00a0 The home of the strongest division in baseball saw only one of its five teams finish the season without a winning record.\u00c2\u00a0 The American League East was also home to the American League Wild Card winner and the American League\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s representative in the 2008 World Series.\u00c2\u00a0 Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a recap of the season that was in the American League East in 2008. <\/p>\n

Tampa<\/strong> Bay Rays<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"small<\/a><\/p>\n

The Tampa Bay Rays making it to the World Series and transitioning from the losers of the American League East to an AL contender was one, if not the biggest story in baseball.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe me you obviously weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t watching any of the playoff games or World Series. As the announcers liked to tell anyone who would listen, Tampa\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s improbable run at baseball supremacy was something that no one could have predicted.\u00c2\u00a0 Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays in an amazing 2008 season.<\/p>\n

What Worked: <\/strong>Tampa\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s improvements to the defense and pitching staff really tied up the loose ends for the Rays.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa allowed 944 runs in 2007 and the bullpen finished dead last with a 6.16 ERA, which was the highest bullpen ERA in 50 years.\u00c2\u00a0 Rays starting pitching wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t much. Tampa\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s team ERA in 2007 was 5.53, more than a full run higher than the league average of 4.52. In 2008 Tampa traded for starting pitcher Matt Garza and added closer Troy Percival.\u00c2\u00a0 This was the first time in what seems like the history of the franchise that the Rays signed a real major league reliever.\u00c2\u00a0 Adding Percival and Garza allowed the Rays to move what was left of the 2007 relievers down in to positions better suited for their abilities.\u00c2\u00a0 Wheeler was now the 8th<\/sup> inning man (when Percival was healthy), while Trevor Miller, Chad Bradford, Grant Balfour, and J.P Howell locked up the rest of the bullpen spots.<\/p>\n

The Rays were also able to make improvements on the defensive side as well.\u00c2\u00a0 The Rays added Jason Bartlett and moved Akinori Iwamura to second base decreasing the errors up the middle from a combined 57 in 2007 to 34 in 2008.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa also moved Upton to center field, brought up Evan Longoria to play third base and started Gabe Gross a majority of the time in right.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa reduced their errors from 117 in 2007 to 90 in 2008 and increased their fielding percentage to .985 from .980 the year before.<\/p>\n

What Did Not:<\/strong>Despite all of the improvements Tampa made in 2008, they failed to score as many runs as they did in 2007.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa saw a decrease in runs scored from 782 in 2007 to 774 in 2008.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa was outscored by three other teams in its division and ranked 9th<\/sup> in the American League.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa also saw inconsistency in the closer position and in the amount of hustle the players showed on the field.<\/p>\n

Shopping List:<\/strong>Tampa has an offensive hole in the right field position and could really use a solid closer.\u00c2\u00a0 Look for the Rays to trade away one of their back end starters to fill either of these needs and then add a free agent to fill the other.<\/p>\n

Boston<\/strong> Red Sox<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"boston<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/strong>The Boston Red Sox were one win away from defending their title in the 2008 World Series. Injuries to Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett, and David Ortiz opened the door for the Tampa Bay Rays.\u00c2\u00a0 In the end, Boston just didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have what it needed to get the job done.<\/p>\n

What Worked: <\/strong>Promoting from within and developing young players really helped the Red Sox in 2008.\u00c2\u00a0 Being able to call on Justin Masterson, Jon Lester, and Jed Lowrie when the team needed really made a difference.\u00c2\u00a0 Teams who win the World Series the season before often see a drop off during the following season due to complacency.\u00c2\u00a0 The Red Sox were able to overcome despite a great deal of adversity.\u00c2\u00a0 Boston didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t add any significant free agents during the off season, dealt with the whole Manny saga and saw injuries to Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Julio Lugo, David Ortiz, and Mike Lowell.\u00c2\u00a0 In the end Boston\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s organizational focus of drafting well and bring up young talent kept them afloat during tough times.\u00c2\u00a0 Although Boston didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make it to the World Series again this season, getting to within one game of doing so is a tremendous accomplishment for any major league baseball team.<\/p>\n

What Did Not: <\/strong>It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tough to find things that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work for any team who was able to make it into the late rounds of the playoffs.\u00c2\u00a0 Like the Rays, Boston saw a drop off in runs scored from 867 in 2007 to 845 in 2008 but were fortunate to lose only one win from season to season.\u00c2\u00a0 The Red Sox line up was a bit weak at the bottom, mostly in the spot occupied by Jason Varitek.\u00c2\u00a0 The overall age of some of the players may have caused a sudden drop in production and failing to add an impact bench player reared its ugly head during the playoffs when Mark Kotsay filled Mike Lowell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spot in the line up.<\/p>\n

Shopping List:<\/strong>The biggest need for Boston this off season is filling the catcher position.\u00c2\u00a0 Boras is demanding an outrageous contract for a soon to be 37 year old catcher with diminishing skills and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also a scarcity of available options so the Red Sox front office will have it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work cut out for them.\u00c2\u00a0 Theo Epstein will have a lot of money to spend on players like Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia, who might be considered luxuries to the team.\u00c2\u00a0 The Red Sox don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to sign these types of players but it would keep them away from the Yankees. Boston will also need to address the holes in their bench and on filling the spot in the bullpen left from the departure of Mike Timlin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

New York<\/strong> Yankees<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Yankees<\/p>\n

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\nThe Yankees failed to reach the post season for the first time since 1995 and it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t from a lack of effort or talent.\u00c2\u00a0 The injury bug ravaged the Yankees pitching staff and line up from top to bottom in 2008, but the Bronx Bombers still managed to win 89 games.\u00c2\u00a0 If only they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t play in the toughest division in baseball.<\/p>\n

What Worked:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>When New York\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s players were healthy enough to be on the field, they played like a team who could win.\u00c2\u00a0 Mike Mussina was finally able to win 20 games and Andy Pettitte showed he could still pitch 200 innings at age 36.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0A-Rod will be A-Rod and \u00c2\u00a0Mo is still lights out in the 9th<\/sup>. It was a tough luck season for New York but they made the best of a bad situation.<\/p>\n

What Did Not: <\/strong>The Yankees reliance on its young pitchers really let the team down this season.\u00c2\u00a0 At the beginning of the season the Yankees and Red Sox both looked poised to transition from the elder statesmen of their rotation to the young guns.\u00c2\u00a0 It worked for Boston but not for New York.\u00c2\u00a0 Chamberlain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transition from reliever was well executed but hit a snag when he developed shoulder tendinitis.\u00c2\u00a0 Hughes and Kennedy combined for 73 and 2\/3 innings and allowed 61 earned runs, pitching ineffectively until they were each injured. Robinson Cano\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s character was called into question at the end of the season and was pulled from a game and benched for not hustling.\u00c2\u00a0 These are not the types of problems a ball club wants to have with the future of the franchise.<\/p>\n

Shopping List:<\/strong>The Yankees have a lot of work to do this off season and its no surprise that they have a lot of money to spend.\u00c2\u00a0 With a new stadium and nearly $80 Million coming off the books, the Yankees will be able to throw money at any hole in their line up. The Yankee\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s list of considerations will include C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Derek Lowe, Manny Ramirez and Ben Sheets among others.\u00c2\u00a0 They could also make a move to trade some of their youngsters to bring in Jake Peavy.\u00c2\u00a0 With Hank and Hal running the show now Brian Cashman may be in the minority of any off season decision.\u00c2\u00a0 The Yankees will need to address first base, centerfield, and pitching before they move on to fill spots elsewhere on their roster.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Toronto<\/strong> Blue Jays<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Jays<\/a><\/p>\n

The Toronto Blue Jays looked as if they were one move away from being a contender in the American League East but later fell to the superior teams above them in the standings.\u00c2\u00a0 If Toronto were able to add an impact bat before the deadline things could have worked out differently in the standings.<\/p>\n

What Worked:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>The Toronto Blue Jays had the best pitching in baseball, hands down.\u00c2\u00a0 Toronto allowed the fewest runs of any team in baseball and lead the majors with a 3.49 ERA, 15 complete games, and led the American League in batting average against (.244), hits allowed (1,330), earned runs allowed (561), and was 2nd<\/sup> in the AL with 13 shutouts. An amazing end to end stretch for any modern day pitching staff.<\/p>\n

What Did Not:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>Toronto had the pitching to win, but not enough offense.\u00c2\u00a0 Toronto ranked 11th<\/sup> in the American League in runs scored (714), 10th<\/sup> in home runs (126), 12th<\/sup> in total bases, and 11th<\/sup> in slugging and OPS.\u00c2\u00a0 Their offense was almost as bad as their pitching was good.\u00c2\u00a0 Toronto could have really been a contender if they had a few more bats.<\/p>\n

Shopping List:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>Toronto will need to add an arm to replace A.J.\u00c2\u00a0 Burnett if they cannot re-sign him and their offense could really use a make over.\u00c2\u00a0 Alex Rios and Vernon Wells could use some help and they have spots open at shortstop and DH. Rafael Furcal would be a nice addition up the middle as well as Milton Bradley, Jason Giambi, or Raul Ibanez in the DH role. \u00c2\u00a0If the Jays don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to spend any money in the off season they could tap into their bullpen surplus to fill holes.\u00c2\u00a0 Toronto could even trade closer BJ Ryan if they needed to without really weakening the team that much.\u00c2\u00a0 Ryan would fetch a pretty penny prospect wise with his 2 year $20 million contract in the weak \u00e2\u20ac\u212209 closer market.<\/p>\n

Baltimore<\/strong> Orioles<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"baltimore<\/a><\/p>\n

The Baltimore Orioles took over the spot that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s usually been reserved for the Tampa Bay Rays at the bottom of the American League East.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a disappointing year for O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fans but they did see some promise from some of their young players.\u00c2\u00a0 Jeremy Guthrie looks like the read deal and Melvin Mora was able to turn his season around.\u00c2\u00a0 There could be light at the end of the tunnel but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still a ways off.<\/p>\n

What Worked:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>The one thing the Baltimore Orioles could do was hit the long ball.\u00c2\u00a0 The O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s scored more runs in 2008 than the Rays and Blue Jays and had 6 players with over 10 home runs and 2 with over 100 RBI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00c2\u00a0 Nick Markakis is turning into the impact player people thought he would and Luke Scott and Adam Jones both look to have promising futures ahead of them.\u00c2\u00a0 The offense was definitely the best thing the O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s had going for them in 2008.<\/p>\n

What Did Not: <\/strong>Aside from Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pitching was awful finishing ahead of only the Texas Rangers in team ERA.\u00c2\u00a0 The O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gave up an astounding 810 runs and an American League leading 687 walks while losing 93 games. The staff\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s batting average against (.277) was second worst in the league, again only better than the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n

Shopping List:\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>Baltimore isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even close to the point where they can start signing big name offensive free agents. The team is in the beginning of its rebuilding stage and has a long way to go before it gets there.\u00c2\u00a0 No one knows what the opening day pitching staff looks like outside of Guthrie and if they were to make any moves they should try to sign a front of the line starter to a long term deal so that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll still be around when the team is ready to contend.\u00c2\u00a0 The name AJ Burnett has been tossed around but I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know if he would sign with them.\u00c2\u00a0 Baltimore needs to add a first baseman to fill the hole left by Kevin Millar and should look into trading some of their veterans to bring some new young talent into the organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was an amazing season in the American League East.\u00c2\u00a0 The home of the strongest division in baseball saw only one of its five teams finish the season without a winning record.\u00c2\u00a0 The American League East was also home to the American League Wild Card winner and the American League\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s representative in the 2008 World […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t