Offseason previews- AL East

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   With the offseason underway, we'll look at offseason previews for every team this season, starting with the AL East. 

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New York Yankees

   One big storyline for the Yankees this offseason is how GM Brian Cashman will address the starting pitching problems that doomed the Yanks in the ALCS. He stated that this would be a top priority during the general managers meetings, and said he would talk with the best pitchers on the market. This means Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. They are the top targets, but not the only ones. 

   The Yankees will not only look to add starting pitching, but they will also have to decide which of their free agents they want to try and keep for the 2020 season. They already declined Edwin Encarnacion's option, and seem inclined to let Didi Gregorius walk in free agency. Cashman said that there is no ownership cap on the payroll, but the Yankees have more than $210 million committed to the 2020 roster, so bringing back Dellin Betances, Brett Gardner, or Gregorius could prove to be difficult, as well as making deals with top starters who will demand a very big payday. The Yanks could also look to adjust their injury protocols so they don't have another injury riddled season like 2019. 

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Tampa Bay Rays

   One question the Rays have is if they can continue to find new ways to thrive with one of the lowest payrolls. After a successful season of the opener tactic, the Rays now have enough starters to deploy a traditional starting rotation if they so desire. They found strong success in the bullpen in 2019, led by Emilio Pagan, Oliver Drake, and Nick Anderson. Two way prospect Brendan McKay is another wrinkle the Rays can use to get ahead as well. 

   Offense is a priority this offseason, according to GM Erik Neander. The Rays will hope to resign Travis D'Arnaud after he had a terrific season, and they could also make a run at vets Howie Kendrick and Edwin Encarnacion, who they could get at a cheap value. Guys like those could be good to compliment Austin Meadows in the lineup. The Rays will be back next year.

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Boston Red Sox

   The Sox have a new sheriff in town. They hired Rays executive Chaim Bloom to be their president of baseball operations, and he enters with the Sox owners desiring to lower the payroll by almost $40 million to get below the luxury tax threshold. JD Martinez decided to stay, so the rumors of trading Mookie Betts have ramped up intensely since then. Bloom has a challenge ahead of him as he tries to both cut payroll and maintain a roster that can compete for the World Series crown. 

   

   Bloom was largely regarded for his creativity in the Rays front office. If he wants to keep Martinez and Betts for 2020, cutting payroll will require some of his creativity, as Bloom could look to move some other big contracts, like perhaps David Price, to potentially kickstart a farm system rebuild. Bloom's decisions this winter will not only affect the course of the Red Sox for 2020, but also for the next few years following. All eyes will be on the Red Sox this winter. 

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Toronto Blue Jays

   What remains to be seen in Toronto is if they can build a winning team around their corps of Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Bo Bichette. This offseason could end up being very telling as to if they can. Pitching is a big need for the Jays, and they have stated that they are open to moving some of their position players for some serviceable pitching. Team president and CEO Mark Shapiro wants to be aggressive on the pitching front, but the front office could be reluctant to open the wallet to get some pitchers. They could be involved in signing second tier options like Julio Teheran or Gio Gonzalez. They might not be able to trade for a pitcher either, as their farm system is at best average. 

   Despite these rumors, the Jays will likely continue to build up their team for this season and next season before they make considerable strides to compete, despite Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins having uncertain futures with the team after this season. 

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Baltimore Orioles 

   The question in Baltimore right now is how long they will be awful for. It will be at least another 5 years for sure. GM Mike Elias is focused on rebuilding the farm system, and he started by drafting Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick in the draft. While this happens, the team will still exceed 100 losses for at least the next few years. 

   The Orioles do have some pieces that have value. They could use them as trade bait to continue to restock the farm. Trey Mancini had a good season, and is someone you could build a team around, but he only has 3 years of team control left, and the Orioles probably won't be ready by then, so he could be traded. SS Jonathan Villar could be dealt, as he's just one year away from free agency, and he could net a decent prospect or two. Bottom line, Baltimore doesn't have a real objective this offseason besides that farm system.