In 2008, it was the Tampa Bay Rays that shocked the baseball world as they won not only the AL Eastern Division, but they also made their first appearance to the World Series before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.  They did all that with a total payroll of just under $44MM, building the team with players from their minor league system (Evan Longoria), signing players from Japan (Akinori Iwamura) and making a mid-season trade that added a pitcher (Matt Garza) who made a huge impact the rest of the way.

Coming into 2009, there’s talk that the Rays are just as talented, if not more so, than their 2008 team and they could be good enough to repeat as AL Eastern Division Champions.  However, don’t think the Yankees or Red Sox will just hand them the trophy. 

The New York Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008 for the first time since 1993.  A trend that owner George Steinbrenner does not want to become a habit.  So, the Yankees’ front office has been busy this off season, signing right-hander A.J. Burnett to a 5-year $82.5 MM contract, left-hander C.C. Sabathia to a 7-year $160MM contract but he’s eligible to opt out of the deal after 2 years, meaning C.C. could say C Ya if he just doesn’t fit in New York.  They also signed first baseman, and former Texas Ranger, Atlanta Brave and Anaheim (yes I said Anaheim) Angel Mark Teixeira to an 8-year $180MM contract, bringing the total to a whopping 20 years and $322.5MM, on just three players.  Can you say “World Series or Bust,” for the Yankees, not to mention that they’ll usher in the 2009 season in the New Yankee Stadium.

The Boston Red Sox, who usually try to keep up with the Yankees as far as off season signings, have done the complete opposite.  Instead, re-signing first baseman Kevin Youkilis to a 4-year $41MM contract to keep him in Boston especially since he’s a fan favorite as well as a one year deal for young closer Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25MM).  The only big names the Red Sox landed were long time Atlanta Brave John Smoltz (1-year $5.5MM) and former Dodger Brad Penny (1-year $5MM), two pitchers who could really make a difference in a rotation already loaded with young talent like Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester along with veteran right-handers Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield.  Adding guys like Smoltz and Penny should make for a very deep rotation and one that could allow them to leave the Rays and Yankees in the dust.

If the Rays are better than their 2008 counterparts, it could spell trouble for the high dollar Yankees and Red Sox.  The Rays are a younger, faster squad who boast young pitchers like ALCS MVP Matt Garza, James Shields and Scott Kazmir to go along with the Rays’ #1 draft pick a few years ago, and a guy who could impress his way to the big leagues this year, David Price.  The only big name addition to the squad from 2008 is former Phillies’ outfielder Pat Burrell who signed a 2-year $16MM deal.  Though Burrell does have his share of strikeouts, he’s one of those guys who can bring a lot of power to the Rays’ lineup as well.

Rounding out the AL East, the cellar dwellers, the Baltimore Orioles.  They shouldn’t factor into this race this season and it might be awhile before this team is a contender once again.  They are making the right moves to improve their team, bringing guys like left-hander Mark Hendrickson, catchers Greg Zaun and Chad Moeller and shortstop Ceasar Izturis.  Are they the moves that will improve them this season?  Maybe, but not enough to stay with the Rays, Yankees or Red Sox for more than a month of the season.  In the future, as their minor league system and their draft picks begin to pay off, then we’ll see the Orioles become more than just an afterthought.

With the Rays coming into 2009 the defending AL East and ALCS Champions, the Yankees bringing three big free agents and the Red Sox with possibly the best pitching in baseball, it should be a fun ride…right to the end.

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