2011 MLB Predictions Generally Have Yankees and Rays Battling for Wild Card
After the Boston Red Sox reloaded in the American League East this offseason, they are generally the favorites to win the division.
As is usually the custom, two other AL East teams are the front runners for the Wild Card this season (with apologies to Chicago White Sox fans).
I don't like the Yankees pitching as usual beyond C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes, and AJ Burnett is iffy, especially in the AL East.
Ivan Nova? Freddy Garcia?
Eh, I'll pass.
But then you look at who the Rays lost this offseason. We all know about outfielder Carl Crawford heading over to the Red Sox, but take a look at who they lost beyond that: Grant Balfour, Jason Bartlett, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, Rafael Soriano, Dioner Navarro, Chad Qualls, Joaquin Benoit, Dan Wheeler, and Rocco Baldelli, who decided to retire for good measure.
The Rays do have an up-and-comer in Jeremy Hellickson, who I really like and was the reason the Rays let Garza go, but that is a plethora of players lost.
It's hard not to see them being overtaken by the Yankees this year.
As the Big Lead's Tim Ryan notes about the Rays, "As currently constructed, the lineup isn’t inspiring anyone to bust out the Ric Flair strut unless you’re impressed by the fact they went out and signed what’s left of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. Six years ago, acquiring these two alone would be enough to pencil in a parade. In 2011, those two just want to enjoy the warm weather as they coast into retirement."
The fact of the matter is the Yankees have been to the playoffs in 16 of the last 17 years, winning the AL East in 12 of these seasons.
And they were the Wild Card last season.
Point made.
For Ethan Norof's division winners and Wild Cards, go here.
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