In 2022, the American League East was without a doubt the best division in baseball. Though none won the AL Pennant, all had solid off seasons and have playoff aspirations.
1. New York Yankees (99-63)
The Yankees had what was a typical season in the regular season, though not favoured to win their division to start the year, a great start cemented them to win the division but they just couldn’t put it together down the stretch into the playoffs. And with the off-season they had and prospect contributors coming this season, the Yankees could close the gap between them and the Astros.
Playoff Finish: Lost ALCS to HOU (4-0)
2. Toronto Blue Jays (92-70)
Toronto didn’t live up to expectations going into 2022, after signing RHP Kevin Gausman and trading for Oakland 3B Matt Chapman. The Jays were heavily favoured going into the season but couldn’t put it together for the entire season. They’ll look to push for a division title in 2023. The lineup is always strong and will continue to be this upcoming season.
Playoff Finish: Lost ALWC To SEA (2-0)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (86-76)
The Rays are always going to be contending in this division and in the American League, having one of the best Front Offices in baseball certainly helps, the Rays have some of the best scouts and player development teams in all of baseball, and their ability to find talent is something else. though inconsistency plagued them from a deep playoff push, I think they’ll be better in 2023.
Playoff Finish: Lost ALWC to CLE (2-0)
4. Baltimore Orioles (83-79)
The Orioles were one of the stories of the 2022 season. They began to exit their long and gruelling rebuild, acquiring top prospects like Adley Rutchman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez among others. The Orioles have a very bright future and i’m very excited to see how they play this season.
5. Boston Red Sox: (78-84)
The Red Sox coming off an ALCS appearance in 2021, failed to return to the playoffs in 2022. The Trevor Story contract looks worse by the day, Chris Sale hasn’t pitched a full season in years. Their off-season could potentially propel them to the Wild Card hunt.
Off-Season Recap:
New York Yankees:
Notable Additions:
OF Aaron Judge
1B Anthony Rizzo
LHP Carlos Rodon
RHP Tommy Kahnle
OF Willie Calhoun
OF Rafael Ortega
Notable Departures:
LHP Lucas Luetge
RHP Jameson Taillon
LHP Aroldis Chapman
RHP Miguel Castro
INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez
LHP Zack Britton
INF Matt Carpenter
The Yankees had the offseason basically everyone expected them to have, retaining Judge and Rizzo was the highest priority, and adding a pitcher of Rodon’s caliber improves the rotation a lot. The main additions for the Yankees will likely be internal. As Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera, and potentially even Jasson Dominguez could all play roles on the big league team this year. Though players on big contracts like Josh Donaldson will likely get a decent amount of playing time, the Yankees will have a lot of different contributions this season.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Notable Additions:
OF Daulton Varsho
RHP Chris Bassitt
RHP Chad Green
RHP Erik Swanson
OF Kevin Kiermaier
1B Brandon Belt
Notable Departures:
OF Teoscar Hernandez
OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C Gabriel Moreno
RHP Ross Stripling
The Blue Jays had an interesting offseason, they got a little better by trading for Varsho, but trading away a fan favorite in Teoscar Hernandez doesn’t make much sense to me. As he was a multiple time all star with them and a big power threat now in Seattle’s lineup. Their main goal was likely to add to the pitching staff which they did. Bassitt is a solid pickup and I also like their bullpen additions which was one of their main problems last season.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Notable Additions:
RHP Zach Eflin
Notable Departures:
1B Ji-Man Choi
OF David Peralta
C Mike Zunino
OF Kevin Kiermaier
RHP Corey Kluber
LHP Ryan Yarbrough
LHP Brooks Raley
RHP J.P Feyereisan
RHP JT Chargois
The Rays either traded or otherwise let go of almost all of their free agents. The Rays operate in such competence that allows them to not spend money while also developing a lot of different talents they acquire from other teams, like Shane Baz and Isaac Paredes for among many others. The Rays will be in the Wild Card hunt next season, the Playoff race next year is going to be fierce with many improved teams.
Baltimore Orioles:
Notable Additions:
INF/OF Adam Frazier
RHP Kyle Gibson
RHP Mychal Givens
C James McCann
Notable Departures:
RHP Jordan Lyles
The Orioles had an okay offseason, surrounding their younger talent with veteran players is a fine move, as their players continue to develop, they could be entering a contention window within a few years. RHP Grayson Rodriguez’s debut might be the most anticipated of their prospects right now, injuries have plagued him as of late but he could elevate their rotation significantly.
Boston Red Sox:
Notable Additions:
OF Masataka Yoshida
OF Adam Duvall
RHP Corey Kluber
LHP Richard Bleier
RHP Kenley Jansen
RHP Chris Martin
OF Raimel Tapia
INF Justin Turner
INF Adalberto Mondesi
Notable Departures:
INF Xander Bogearts
DH JD Martinez
LHP Rich Hill
RHP Nathan Eovaldi
LHP Matt Strahm
The Red Sox did a great job at salvaging their offseason after the departure of Xander Bogearts. Yoshida and Duvall are solid signings, Turner could be a very big player for them. Solidifying their bullpen was also an area of need, and they brought in a multitude of arms to fill that role.
2023 Standings Projections (Via Pecota/Baseball Prospectus)
New York Yankees: 95-67
Toronto Blue Jays: 89-73
Tampa Bay Rays: 86-76
Boston Red Sox: 80-82
Baltimore Orioles: 74-88
BS Reports 
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