The AL East should be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball next season with the Red Sox looking like they are ready for a big bounce back after signing David Price and adding Craig Kimbrel. The division has the Yankees and Blue Jays coming off of playoff appearances, while the Orioles and Rays have talented rosters that could push the teams into the postseason for 2016.
The offseason has had some big splashes and moves for teams in the division, with the biggest moves coming from the Red Sox and the Yankees. The Red Sox made a major splash with the signing of David Price, while the Yankees made a nice upgrade at second base by trading for Starlin Castro from the Cubs. The Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays have mostly been quiet so far this offseason, but there is still plenty of time to sign free agents and work out trades before the calendar turns to 2016.
Here is a quick look at the teams and some of the moves they have made this offseason
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox made the huge move by signing David Price to a contract, but the team also made a big trade by adding Craig Kimbrel in a trade with the Padres. The bullpen was a mess last season and now Kimbrel gives the team a major upgrade on the back end. The team also traded Wade Miley to the Mariners for Roenis Elias and Carson Smith, adding more pitching depth overall. Smith was a player the Mariners really liked and now his power arm could be a future closer option for the Sox.
New York Yankees
The Yankees have made some solid upgrades to the roster without spending big on free agents, as the team has added Aaron Hicks and Starlin Castro in trade deals this offseason. The Hicks move could give the team the flexibility to trade Brett Gardner down the line, but right now the team is not pushing for a deal. Hicks has potential after being a first round pick, while Castro helps the team fill a major hole at second base, which was the weakest position for the Yankees last season.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have not made major moves this offseason, but the team kept one of its biggest free agents in Darren O'Day and that should help keep the bullpen strong. The team also kept Matt Wieters after the catcher accepted the qualifying offer over free agency. The Orioles traded for Mark Trumbo from the Mariners in a deal for Steve Clevenger and that should help the team if Chris Davis ends up leaving. The Orioles reportedly had an offer on the table for Davis, but the team has pulled that for the time being.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are coming into the offseason after making to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and so far the team has not made any major splashes in free agency. The team did not retain David Price after acquiring him at the trade deadline, but the Jays did sign J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada. The team also acquired Jesse Chavez and signed Darwin Barney on a one-year deal.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have not been too active in free agency this winter, but the team added some depth with a trade with the Mariners for Logan Morrison, Brad Miller and Danny Farquhar. The team gave up Nate Karns, C.J. Riefenhauser and Boog Powell in the deal to Seattle and the Rays have also been mentioned in connection with other trades involving their starting pitching.
