Balance of Power Shift in the AL East?

[Hughes2.50]

With the emergence of the Tampa Bay Rays last year, and, the loss of the formidable middle of the Red Sox lineup (manny and Ortiz put up ridiculous #s from 04-07) is it possible that the Yankees and Rays will be the major competitors for Division honors for the forseeable future?

Yes the Red Sox have Beckett and Lester, but after those two they have major questions about their rotation. Both the Rays and Yankees appear to match the Sox at the top of their respective rotations so the Sox vaunted starter depth may not translate.

And, with Ortiz on the downslide and Manny gone, are the Red Sox really likely to compete with the young Rays and loaded Yankee offenses - particularly if Bay leaves due to free agency?

Is it possible that 2008 marked a transition more toward the Rays being the Yanks chief competitors while the Red Sox struggle to regain the offensive fireopower and starter superiority over their main rivals in the AL East?

[Hobbes40]

It's a nice thought, but the Sox have enough money that they can at least keep their lineup a contender for the division even if not a major WS contender.

It's also questionable whether the Rays will be able to keep their team together - hopefully for baseball they do.

[Steve Dalkowski]

Hughes2.50 here just to remind us all that this is still a Yankees site.

[RedGlare]

I'm sure boston will always field a team that can at least make a strong run at the WC.

That said, I hope TB wins the WC this year. Their fans have suffered so much and it would be a heart break to miss the playoffs after a world series run

[Hughes2.50]

I'm sure boston will always field a team that can at least make a strong run at the WC.

That said, I hope TB wins the WC this year. Their fans have suffered so much and it would be a heart break to miss the playoffs after a world series run

Since TB dropped a game today, if the Sox lose to the Yankees tonight, they would be tied for the WC lead with the Rangers and two ahead of the Rays.

[YankeePride1967]

Don't bury the Red Sox yet, not even for the AL East division this year. I do agree that this is a less lethal Sox team offensively (even when healthy) and they are hurt from injuries and little/no production from their supposed "depth". Now if you want to call it going from a 2 team to a 3 team race, that I agree.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Don't bury the Red Sox yet, not even for the AL East division this year. I do agree that this is a less lethal Sox team offensively (even when healthy) and they are hurt from injuries and little/no production from their supposed "depth". Now if you want to call it going from a 2 team to a 3 team race, that I agree.

Feel the same way. Even if they don't make the playoffs, they have the resources to turn it around.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

Boston will spend the money and make (what they feel are) the necessary moves in order to field a contending club. No need to worry whether they're going to slip that far down that they'll struggle to compete for years to come. Though I do think if the Rays core group of guys stick together, then free agents would be lured to Tampa (as long as they'll spend the money) and year after year New York, Boston, and Tampa Bay will contend. I'd actually like to see Tampa continue doing well, until they face us at least. I want them to get a new ballpark.

[Brick Tamland]

With the emergence of the Tampa Bay Rays last year, and, the loss of the formidable middle of the Red Sox lineup (manny and Ortiz put up ridiculous #s from 04-07) is it possible that the Yankees and Rays will be the major competitors for Division honors for the forseeable future?Yes the Red Sox have Beckett and Lester, but after those two they have major questions about their rotation. Both the Rays and Yankees appear to match the Sox at the top of their respective rotations so the Sox vaunted starter depth may not translate.
And, with Ortiz on the downslide and Manny gone, are the Red Sox really likely to compete with the young Rays and loaded Yankee offenses - particularly if Bay leaves due to free agency?
Is it possible that 2008 marked a transition more toward the Rays being the Yanks chief competitors while the Red Sox struggle to regain the offensive fireopower and starter superiority over their main rivals in the AL East?

You know, I live up in Boston and back when the Yanks were 0-8 against the Sox the talk was exactly the opposite. Basically people were saying that the Rays are the Sox chief rival.

Things change quickly huh?

The Red Sox are the Yankees main competition. Always have been, always will be. If they somehow miss the playoffs, Theo and Co. will move pieces in the farm to get more talent and they will resign Jason Bay.

Other teams come and go but the Yanks-Sox rivalry is still very much alive and here to stay. And that's the way I like it.

[justtxyank]

It's possible, though unlikely, that next year the Sox aren't our chief competition for the division, but beyond a one year drop-off I don't see any real balance of power shift. The Sox should be able to reload this offseason, and if it's not done this offseason it will done by the next season.

FWIW, I'm still not sold that they are out this year.

[THEBOSS84]

Don't even kid yourselves. If the Sox make the playoffs, they are as scary as any team out there with Beckett and Lester going for them. They can easily win it all this year if they find a way to make the playoffs.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Jesus Christ...

[Yankees13]

This is way too premature. Even if they finish 3rd this year, there's about 150 million reasons why they'll be our main competition for the foreseeable future.

[yankeebot]

Jesus Christ...

It's Hughes2.50's world. We're just living in it.

[justtxyank]

Don't even kid yourselves. If the Sox make the playoffs, they are as scary as any team out there with Beckett and Lester going for them. They can easily win it all this year if they find a way to make the playoffs.

I agree, but their offense has issues.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Don't even kid yourselves. If the Sox make the playoffs, they are as scary as any team out there with Beckett and Lester going for them. They can easily win it all this year if they find a way to make the playoffs.

Do you still think the Red Sox are better than the Yankees?

[THEBOSS84]

Do you still think the Red Sox are better than the Yankees?

Dude, that was literally 40 days ago.

If the question is: do I think the Sox can take the Yanks in a potential 7 game ALCS? Yes, I do.

[justtxyank]

Dude, that was literally 40 days ago.

If the question is: do I think the Sox can take the Yanks in a potential 7 game ALCS? Yes, I do.

I think so as well. We literally did the best we could possibly do against them pitching wise this series. Can't expect that to happen again.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Dude, that was literally 40 days ago.

If the question is: do I think the Sox can take the Yanks in a potential 7 game ALCS? Yes, I do.

Someone has to harass you for saying that.

Funny thing is, 40 days ago I would have said the only area they had a distinct advantage in was the bullpen. In this series, our relief pitching was even better than theirs. The improvement in our pen really rounds this team out nicely

[pleasepassthesoup]

I still expect the Sox to be the chief competition within the division this season. The Rays have a pretty brutal schedule. Aside from getting 20 games against lousy teams, the rest of their schedule consists of 3 against the Angels, 6 against the Rangers, 6 against the Red Sox, 7 against the Tigers, 7 against the Yankees, and 2 against the Mariners.