In theory, the New York Yankees should be excited about their chances to win the AL East.
After all, the Yankees did what they seemingly needed to. Aaron Judge was brought back to town, as was Anthony Rizzo. While one can question their decision to keep the flotsam currently on the roster in left, adding Carlos Rodon to the rotation could be that piece they needed. And letting Aroldis Chapman walk in free agency is a matter of addition by subtraction. It should not be much of a surprise that Fangraphs has the Yankees as their favourites to win the division with a 44.1% chance.
Those odds make sense. The Rays may be considered the second most likely team to win the division at 25.6%, but they did not exactly add much to their roster in the offseason. Zach Eflin is not exactly going to change the balance of power in the division. The Orioles did not add much and the Red Sox got worse.
It may well be the team with the third best odds that comes away with the division. The Blue Jays may only have a 23.6% chance to win the AL East per Fangraphs, but they have also improved a team that won 92 games last season. Chris Bassitt should improve the middle of their rotation. Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier, if healthy, will improve their defense. The bullpen is stronger and should help get the ball to Jordan Romano in the ninth.
The New York Yankees are still in strong shape. They are the favourites in the AL East for a reason. However, they should not feel too comfortable atop the division; the Toronto Blue Jays are a viable threat to knock them off of their pedestal.
AL East predictions:
1. Yankees
2. Blue Jays
3. Rays
4. Orioles
5. Sox
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