6 Exciting Takeaways for Red Sox Fans After Spring Training Opener
By Ryan Bunton
4. The American League East Will Be a Gauntlet
Boston's Grapefruit League opener was a friendly reminder of the level of play in the American League East. Baltimore won 101 games last season and swung a trade for perennial Cy Young candidate Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers, who got the start on the mound for the Orioles on Saturday and pitched one inning.
Baltimore also boasts a loaded farm system that has been ranked as the best in baseball, and an ownership transition could create an influx of cash. They will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in the AL East.
The Tampa Bay Rays have made the postseason in their last five seasons, while the Toronto Blue Jays have earned playoff appearances in each of their last two campaigns. Archrival New York Yankees made notable moves with their acquisition of superstar Juan Soto and former Boston outfielder Alex Verdugo. Brian Cashman could still add Blake Snell before Opening Day in the Bronx. The Red Sox aren't going to get a lot of help from their division rivals as they look to improve their win total.
Boston has finished in the cellar of the AL East in three of the last four seasons. Looking at the other teams in their division, 2024 could easily yield the same result.