2020 AL East Preview - Repetition Breeds Contempt for The Champ

For the abbreviated 2020 MLB Season, LOEGM has opted to change the format from a Weekly H2H Points schedule to a 6 week points race in each division with an abbreviated 3 round playoff.

As we sit just days away from the first pitch of the 2020 season we wanted to do a preview of each division and give our predictions for Winners and Challengers. We already posted the ALW Preview and an ALC Preview, so now it is time to wrap up our American League Preview Series with the AL West which features the defending champs and a unchanged ownership group.

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1. Boston RedSox (2019: 19-2, 1st & WS)

While the real-world BoSox traded their marquee guy in Mookie in the off-season, the LOEGM BoSox have kept Mookie from the starting gun and despite sticking with the IL-prone Sale as his pitching keeper and a #30 pick in the draft, Bill has proven his shrewdness as a GM through the development of a squad dripping with All-Star level talent which he leveraged into an AL East crown on his way to the World Series Championship in the league’s inaugural season.

Coming into the abbreviated 2020 season, Bill has continued his shrewd dealings acquiring the perennial MVP Mike Trout for Frankie Montas, Josh Donaldson (his backup), and Shane Baz (whom he later re-acquired). If the season plays out in its entirety and he can avoid the COVID bug/opt-outs there is tremendous optimism for a lineup which features Josh Bell, Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts, and the aforementioned Trout.

While we could argue a playoff run on the lineup alone, Bill does have a fairly stable pitching rotation led by the young ace Jose Berrios out of Minnesota. Beyond his ace, Bill has a stable of veteran arms including Bumgarner, Keuchel, Mike Minor and Sonny Gray which should provide him enough production (provided they stay healthy) to propel him to a great degree of success in the near term. The only question that Bill must answer is how to combat an aging pitching staff with just a couple of SP-quality spects in the wings. However, given his offensive prowess I would expect some youth-infusion via the trade market in the upcoming off-season.

Summary: Bill should have little problem riding a All-Star offense and a steady pitching staff to a division crown provided that COVID allows him to get a full season from his marquee players.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (2019: 16-5, 2nd)

Don’t let the lesser 2019 record fool you. Tampa was the victim of a rough schedule that featured four games against either the division champion RedSox or the rebuilt juggernaut Oakland A’s. As such when you take these two juggernauts out of the schedule, Tampa had a wildly successful 2019 that resulted in the 5th best record in the league.

The strength of the 2020 Rays is without question their pitching staff. Returning GM Harry has built a stable of upper echelon SP1/SP2 caliber arms including Glasnow, Snell, and Fried and prior to this evening’s trade also boasted Jacob Degrom. Pair this existing trio with the talents of Nick Anderson, Colin Poche, and Michael Fulmer and you have a staff that rivals, and likely has the talents to outperform many teams in the league even without the defending Cy Young. The only caveat to the strength of the staff is that it is HEAVILY weighted with real-life Rays (Glasnow, Snell, Anderson, Drake, Poche, Honeywell, McKay) which make up almost 70% of the staff. So as the real-life Rays go, so with Harry and his LOEGM staff.

The 2020 Tampa offense is anchored by Ronald Acuna Jr (22) who is joined by Willson Contreras, Yoshi Tsutsugo, and Ramon Laureano. While this likely won’t

‘Wow’ many people, it is important to note that Harry also had Xander Boegarts at one point, flipped him for Degrom, and then flipped Degrom for a stable of blue-chip prospects. So, altogether Harry has done an excellent job of building a strong performer which will only grow stronger as his trove of prospects (Madrigal, Franco, Lodolo, McKay et al) develop to their potential.

Summary: Despite trading DeGrom away, the LOEGM Rays have the tools to wreak havoc in 2021 and the farm system potential to dominate the league for years to come.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (2019: 4-17, 5th)

Disclaimer: A few things (Mainly SP) needs to break right but on sheer talent TOR has the talent needed to take 3rd. In My opinions its either him for NYY.

If you love emerging stars and prospecting then you’ll love the makeup of the LOEGM Blue Jays. Returning GM Jose has a reputation as one with an eye for young talent and a willingness to wait out a players development and it will no doubt payoff in short order, if not this year then very soon given an above average farm system and a lineup whose average age is 27 (which is skewed by AJ Pollock and KK Kim at 32). On the offensive side this roster is anchored by the duo of Vlad Jr and Bo Bichette (21 and 22 respectively) who are joined by promising hitting profiles of Garret Hampson, JD Davis, and Austin Hays and complemented by the stable veteran presence of AJ Pollock and Andrelton Simmons. When you pair this youthful lineup with a farm system that boasts Nolan Gorman and Anthony Volpe there is a great degree of promise for this lineup and Jose’s playoff prospects in upcoming seasons.

On the pitching side, the roster is just as youthful but not without questions. Toronto’s SP staff includes Carlos Martinez (who is returning to STL’s rotation after a 2 year hiatus), Antonio Senzatela, KK Kim (who profiles as a SP but will likely act as a closer in STL), Tyler Chatwood, and AJ Puk. This staff is paired with a relief core featuring Taylor Rogers, David Hess, Jeurys Familia, and Dan Winkler. So, while this staff shows promise there is reasonable concern with how the staff will hold up:

• Will Cmart return to his former SP1/SP2 status?

• Will Kim return to his roots as an SP or be relegated to late relief?

• Will Puk return from a 2-week hiatus due to shoulder issues and be impactful?

• How will Senzatela perform in a hitter friendly Coors while facing a power potent ALW?

If enough of these questions break in Jose's favor I think he's a lock for a respectable 3rd place.

Regardless, despite ardent divisional opposition and the above questions, the Toronto staff does have a bright future given the prospects of Logan Gilbert (SEA), Alek Manoah (TOR), and Forrest Whitley (HOU) still waiting down on their farm.

Summary: While there is no path for a 2020 victory, the ALE should take notice of a prospect savvy GM and a current and incoming youth infusion that should make Toronto a perennial contender for years to come.

4. New York Yankees (2019: 10-11, 3rd)

In 2019, GM Brian dealt with his share of obstacles. Not only did he have the 19-2 BoSox and an impressive Tampa Bay Rays in his division, but he also dealt with injuries to his staff ace in Luis Severino. Return to the helm for 2020, Brian has done some minor retooling of his squad having added the likes of Dansby Swanson and Joey Lucchesi to the mix.

Swanson, who should benefit from a strong Atlanta lineup, joins an NYY offense bolstered by steady veterans with bats full of big HR & RBI potential. The presence of Suarez, Judge, and Ozuna should provide the LOEGM Pinstripes with consistent production provided they avoid the injuries that plagued them (Judge/Ozuna) in 2019.

On the rubber, NYY is once again hampered by injuries. Severino is out for the entirety of 2020 leaving Brian to rely on Kyle Hendrick and Joey Lucchesi to lead his squad. Unfortunately, beyond these two the pitching staff leaves much to be desired when trying to chase down Tampa and Boston given that it revolves around replacement level RPs and an aging Wainwright who is in what might be (and as a Cards fan I say should be) his final season.

Summary: While 2020 might not be the year of the pinstripe, the Yankees do have some optimism for the future given the youth of Lucchesi and Severino as well as some promising prospects including Dalbec (BOS), Burrows (DET), and Oviedo (STL).

5. Baltimore Orioles (2019: 7-14, 4th)

Despite arguably having the worst keepers from the start, returning GM James has built a respectable roster that, although is a definite work in process, is moving toward contention. Having taken Frankie Lindor with the 1st overall pick in the inaugural draft, Baltimore added the youthful presence of Rafael Devers and Gregory Polanco and acquired the services of Adam Frazier to construct a productive core that would still be around when the fruits of his farm system eventually come to bear. If the likes of Michael Busch, Brendan Rodgers, Seth Beer, and Tristen Lutz can reach their potential, James possesses the pieces to compete for a WC or acquire marquee pieces that could propel him into playoff conversations sooner than expected.

To his credit, Baltimore’s pitching staff is equally youthful. Led by the talents of Luis Castillo and Dylan Bundy and promising arms such as Mitch Keller and Justus Sheffield, the Baltimore staff should continue to be more than serviceable and present issues for the weaker teams in the schedules in coming seasons.

Summary: Don’t expect big things out of Baltimore for a couple years but James has the pieces to pull an Oakland and bring his team into contention sooner rather than later.

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This piece was written by Elijah B, the founding commish of LOEGM and helsman of the LOEGM Cardinals (2019 NLC Champs).