State Of The AL East: Tampa Bay Rays

Over the course of the last few seasons, a new contender has emerged in the American League East. The division is no longer the traditional two horse race between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The pesky Tampa Bay Rays have been a threat for the division under manager Joe Maddon and they have re-tooled this offseason to help their team for 2013 and the long run. The talk of their team is the acquisition of Royals’ prospect Wil Myers in a trade where they had to give up two starting pitchers in James Shields and Wade Davis. They lose B.J Upton to free agency, but they have the ability to plug in Desmond Jennings to that center field spot.

Can

repeat his reign as the AL

award winner and lead the Rays to the top of the AL East? (Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

On this Yanks Go Yard show presented by BaldVinny.com, I talked with Robbie Knopf, the lead editor for RaysColoredGlasses.com. On the show, we spoke about the buzz surrounding Meyers, the acquisitions of James Loney and Yunel Escobar, who will plug in the void left by Shields and Davis, and the impending free agency for reigning Cy Young winner David Price.

Also, we discuss whether or not the Rays are the favorites in the AL East. After the interview, I touch on Joba Chamberlain‘s future with the Yankees, the outfield without Curtis Granderson, and what has stood out to me so far in Spring Training as we prepare for the World Baseball Classic which starts on Friday.

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