With the conclusion of the 2018 MLB season, the Game Haus will be taking a look at each MLB team and their needs for the next season. We will also be looking at how addressing these concerns could help in the near future.
Today, we will be looking at the teams in the AL East.
Offseason Needs: Baltimore Orioles
2018 Result: 47-115, 5th in AL East
Orioles fans do not have much to cheer for in this day in age. Not only did Baltimore boast the worst record in 2018, but they are now without their manager Buck Showalter and household name, Adam Jones is hitting free agency. In addition, Baltimore is home of the worst pitching crew in baseball.The Orioles’ pitching roster was the only squad last season with an ERA of 5.00 or higher. They have also allowed the most runs and yielded the highest batting average. The organization will have tons of work to do, just on the roster alone. With all this going for them, it’s actually shocking that Camden Yards does not have the lowest attendance rating in 2018.
Offseason Needs: Toronto Blue Jays
2018 Result: 73-89, 4th in AL East
The Blue Jays have seen better days. The opponents in their division aren’t doing Toronto any favors, either. Toronto will need to address their pitching roster among other things. They finished 2018 with a team ERA of 4.85 (fourth highest in MLB), along with the fourth highest batting average allowed and fourth most runs allowed. The Blue Jays are in need of youth, for they have the oldest roster in baseball right now. They do have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making strides, but that will be far from enough to get the Jays back into playoff contention.
Offseason Needs: Tampa Bay Rays
2018 Result: 90-72, 3rd in AL East
No team was more dangerous after the All-Star Break than the Tampa Bay Rays, but that surge came a little too late. Despite the massive turnaround to their 2018 outing, that wasn’t enough to get them in October. However, they do have a blueprint in the works, along with a formidable pitching lineup for 2019. Along with ace Blake Snell, the Rays’ pitchers have anchored the team to 18 games above .500. Their offense, however, will need work on. Tampa Bay has tallied only 150 home runs and 664 RBIs. They are on the right track, but not at their destination yet.
Offseason Needs: New York Yankees
2018 Result: 100-62, 2nd in AL East, Eliminated in ALDS
The New York Yankees did not win the World Series this season, but this should not, in any way, take anything from what they have accomplished this season. The Pinstripes broke the record for most home runs hit by a team in a season with 267. They also broke cashed in 100 wins with a first year skipper in Aaron Boone. The biggest department in need of attention is the starting pitching. CC Sabathia is nearing 40, and Luis Severino still needs work to become a truly elite ace. If the franchise can address the pitching crew the right way, they could be looking at World Series ring number 28 sooner than they even know it.
Offseason Needs: Boston Red Sox
2018 Result: 108-54, 1st in AL East, World Series Champions
It’s hard to say that the Boston Red Sox need any offseason work. They are the reigning World Series Champions for the fourth time in 15 years. Not to mention, they had a first year manager, Alex Cora, calling the shots. What wouldn’t hurt though is for Cora and company to come up with new ideas for 2019. They could diversify their approach in batting order and pitcher rotation. They should also continue looking for new ways to win in 2019. The other 29 teams are prepping for a shot to beat the Champs. With the bulls-eye on Boston’s back growing rapidly, it does pay to keep the opponents on their heels.
Featured image courtesy of AP Photo/ Chris O’Hara
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