MLB - American League - Projections of 2005 Season Final Team Standings
National League
American League East
American League West
American League Central
Key Players are the best in their division compared across the board on our AL Cheat Sheet. For example, #3 pitcher compared vs. other #3 pitchers, and #6 in the batting order compared against all other #6 in batting order in the division.
Last Update: March 31, 2005
American League East
1. New York Yankees Joe Torre
2004 Record: 101-61
2003 Record: 101-61
Key Players: G.Sheffield, H.Matsui, B.Williams, T.Womack, R.Johnson, Mussina, Pavano, J.Wright, M.Rivera, Gordon.
Problems: The bottom half of the order could turn into a problem for the Yankees.
Recap: The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2000. The pitching is much better than last year, and the team looks like they should win the East, but whether or not this team can get to, and win, the Series is the big question.
2. Boston Red Sox Terry Francona
2004 Record: 98-64
2003 Record: 95-67
Key Players: J.Damon, M.Ramirez, D.Ortiz, B.Mueller, C.Schilling, M.Clement
Problems: No more Pedro Martinez.
Recap: Hard to imagine the Red Sox won't be in the playoffs. Their line-up is solid top-to-bottom and the pitching remains solid. But the loss of Pedro Martinez will hit home in the playoffs.
3. Baltimore Orioles Lee Mazzilli
2004 Record: 78-84
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: J.Lopez, R.Palmeiro, M.Tejada, M.Mora
Problems: The starting rotation.
Recap: The Orioles offense will be exciting to watch and will make up for the bad pitching. But not enough to change the Yankees/Red Sox grip at the top of the division.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Lou Piniella
2004 Record: 70-91
2003 Record: 63-99
Key Players: A.Huff
Problems: Pitching is really bad.
Recap: Roberto Alomar is not only still in the league but the Devil Rays want him to play 2nd and bat 2nd. This mutes the excitement surrounding Aubrey Huff and Carl Crawford.
5. Toronto Blue Jays John Gibbons
2004 Record: 67-94
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: R.Adams, T.Lilly
Problems: Bottom of the order, but the Blue Jays may have enough pitching to at least top the Devil Rays.
Recap: The Blue Jays lost Delgado and are no longer competitive in the A.L. East. How bad they will be depends on Vernon Wells and Roy Halladay.
American League West
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Mike Scioscia
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 77-85
Key Players: V.Guerrero, S.Finley, B.Colon, K.Escobar, J.Washburn, J.Lackey, S.Shields
Problems: The left side of the infield was downgraded quite a bit.
Recap: The Angels are not the offensive machine they once were. But the division does not require excellence to win. The Angels have enough, all around, to sneak away with the division.
2. Seattle Mariners Mike Hargrove
2004 Record: 63-99
2003 Record: 93-69
Key Players: I.Suzuki, A.Beltre, R.Sexson, R.Winn
Problems: Starting pitching is even worse than the Rangers.
Recap: The Mariners promise to be exciting on offense if Sexson stays healthy. But Bret Boone needs to bounce back and the starting pitching needs several career years for the Mariners to be the bounce back team of the year.
3. Texas Rangers Buck Showalter
2004 Record: 89-73
2003 Record: 71-91
Key Players: F.Cordero, K.Mench, H.Blalock, M.Young
Problems: Starting pitching is reason for pause.
Recap: The Rangers were one of the big surprises in 2004. Offense is perhaps the best in the division, but the starting pitching is teetering on the edge of disaster.
4. Oakland Athletics Ken Macha
2004 Record: 91-71
2003 Record: 96-66
Key Players: E.Byrnes, K.Ginter, R.Harden, O.Dovel
Problems: Reliance on youth.
Recap: With Mulder and Hudson gone the Athletics regroup around what they hope is the next wave of young, superstar pitchers. The A's should have enough to hang in the race, just like last year. But at the end of the day, they don't have enough.
American League Central
1. Minnesota Twins Ron Gardenhire
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 90-72
Key Players: S.Stewart, J.Morneau, J.Mauer, L.Ford, L.Rivas, J.Santana, J.Nathan, J.Rincon
Problems: Justin Morneau is not your typical clean up hitter.
Recap: This is a division that is up for grabs from top to bottom. But, Minnesota has the starting pitching, bullpen, and best overall line-up.
2. Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen
2004 Record: 83-79
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: P.Konerko, J.Uribe, F.Garcia, O.Hernandez
Problems: The White Sox could use a healthy Frank Thomas.
Recap: The addition of Podsednik significantly changes the line-up and could be a big enough shake-up to put the White Sox over the top. If El Duque and Contreras come through, and Rowand, Dye, or Everett comes through with a career year, it might even be easy.
3. Detroit Tigers Alan Trammell
2004 Record: 72-90
2003 Record: 43-114
Key Players: C.Guillen, I.Rodriguez, M.Ordonez, D.Young, C.Pena, O.Infante, J.Bonderman
Problems: Improving.
Recap: The top 6 in the line-up is intimidating. There is potential in the starting rotation. Expect more improvement, but not yet playoff time.
4. Cleveland Indians Eric Wedge
2004 Record: 80-82
2003 Record: 68-94
Key Players: V.Martinez, R.Hafner, J.Gonzalez, C.Lee
Problems: The team is flat.
Recap: Juan Gonzalez is back. But that may be the only thing to remind fans of better times in Cleveland.
5. Kansas City Royals Tony Pena
2004 Record: 58-104
2003 Record: 83-79
Key Players: M.Sweeney
Problems: On paper, the Royals have become the worst team in the American League.
Recap: What happened in 2004? The Royals have completely unraveled. Bright spot may turn out to be a big year from Angel Berroa.
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