AL East Team Strategy Guides

  Boston Red Sox

Current Outlook

When you play baseball in Boston, you play to win. That’s why the Red Sox have the best offensive lineup in The Show. This huge payroll expects nothing less than a World Series Championship; anything else is not acceptable.

Key Players

Adrian Gonzalez – Gonzalez has so much power that he can hit it anyone on, or out, of the field. With his ratings, he should easily hit over .300 and give you MVP-like numbers.

Daisuke Matsuzaka – Matsuzaka is the one pitching in the starting rotation that needs to return to his form. Sure Lackey and Beckett might be enjoying one too many drinks, but without the talent Dice-K brings, good luck edging past the Yankees and Rays.

David Ortiz – Boston’s favorite power hitter needs to hit some home runs for you. Getting a solid .280, 30 HR season is key to keep this offense at its best.

Game Plan

Hit, hit and hit. Your gameplan should be to knock in as many runs as you possibly can. Squeeze plays are for the National League, we hit home runs in Boston. As for your pitching, your rotation shouldn’t matter much, since each pitcher could fit in anywhere. Just keep the opposing team at five or less runs, and you should enjoy a victory.

Future Outlook

If, for some god-like reason, the Red Sox had to replace their MLB roster then they’d be screwed. The farm system isn’t bad, there are a lot of solid contributing players that can come up for a few games here and there. But the issue lies in the cornerstones of the Boston future. Their top prospect, shortstop Xander Bogearts, is suited for the AA system right now.

Team Ranking

Like mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Red Sox don’t care about anything but winning right now. With power covering this roster from bottom to top, this team is one of the best options you have if you want that World Series Championship.

8 (Contenders)     New York Yankees

Current Outlook

Much like their rivals in Beantown, the Yankees want to win, and they want to do it now. With a seamlessly never endning checkbook, the Yankees have put some of the best players in the majors on their roster.

Key Players

Michael Pineda – Pineda is quite possibly the difference maker in New York’s rotation. CC Sabathia can’t do it all by himself, so the Yankees went out and traded prize prospect Jesus Montero to get this guy. Improve his velocity and you’ll have one of the better 1-2 punches in the American League.

Mark Teixera – Teixera is much better in the gaming universe than the real one. He’s made to hit over .300 and smash out 40 homers. You get him putting up those numbers, he will rack up the RBIs in clean up.

Rafael Soriano – Soriano will be the best pitcher in the Yankees bullpen if you can help him get back to the form he was in Tampa Bay. He used to start in Seattle, so his stamina is pretty high. Keep him saved for the big ones against Boston and Tampa, and you should pull away with a few victories.

Game Plan

Win. Your gameplan is to win. It doesn’t matter how, you’re the New York Yankees. You spend $1 billion on two contracts a year and haven’t won the World Series in too long. Pitch, hit and run your way by everybody.

Future Outlook

The best part about the Yankees is that they are always prepared in the farm system. Robinson Cano came out of nowhere, so keep a look out on a player like center fielder Mason Williams. Let him hit early in your AAA line up and see how he does. He might be able to help out in the playoffs, let alone be the cornerstone of the future.

Team Ranking

The Yankees are the best of the best. With the additions of Pineda and Hirkoa Kuroda, the pinstripes solved their rotation issues after Sabathia. The farm system may not be the deepest, but it’s still full of solid prospects who are ready to help now and in the future.

8 (Contenders)     Tamp Bay Rays

Current Outlook

It’s still hard to imagine that Tampa is far from what it used to be: the worst team in baseball. Now they’re built inside and out, with both veteran and young players. This team is in contention to win a championship now, and for years to come.

Key Players

Evan Longoria – Longoria is arguably the best third basemen in the game. With his ratings and abilities, he should lead your offense the majority of the time. Also, he is far from a liability in the field.

Carlos Pena – The hard-hitting first baseman makes his return to Tampa after a one-year hiatus with the Cubs. Pena’s ratings have taken a hit from his last two seasons, but his contact is still high enough to be a solid run producer.

James Shields – Shields is underrated, especially when it’s all about the younger arms in the club. But for now, Shields is one of your top pitchers who can win you 20 games. When using him, keep things interesting so he doesn’t tire down to early.

Game Plan

If you want a walk in the park, this is the team to grab. With a solid pitching rotation backed up by a slightly-less-than-awesome batting lineup, the Rays have the tools to win the series now. And if it doesn’t work, just bring up all the young guys and try something else; trust me, they’re ready.

Future Outlook

Ever heard of Matt Moore? He’s 22 and is already being billed as Tampa’s top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Not only is Moore sitting around, so is Hak-Ju Lee, one of the top shortstop prospects in the minors. Plus, with so much depth at pitching, you could even beef up your farm system by trading away one of your starters.

Team Ranking

You have no idea how good it feels to name the Rays as the best ball club in the game, especially ahead of Boston and New York. But with the combination of talent scattered through each position and farm level, it’s hard not to love what you get with this team.

10 (Dynasty)     Toronto Blue Jays

Current Outlook

Toronto is finally starting to show signs of life, especially with a stud third baseman they’ve acquired. As of now, that life isn’t going to propel them into the playoffs, but some smart GM moves have put this club in a position to start competing sooner than later.

Key Players

Brett Lawrie – Lawrie, the centerpiece of the Shaun Marcum deal, has proven to be well worth it. His power and presence at the plate is something else. And combined with his young age, he will be sitting around Canada for quite sometime.

Travis d’Arnaud – Not many people would have thought that this catcher acquired in the Roy Halladay deal was the prize guy. Well, they were wrong. d’Arnaud has the A-potential rating (and a rating nearly better than the starting catcher’s) to turn into the best catcher in the major leagues. He’s in AAA now, but you’ll be calling him up very, very quick.

Ricky Romero – Romero has a couple pairs of shoes to fill. Even though both trades are in the past, Toronto fans still think of Halladay and Marcum. Well Romero is on top now, and he has proven his worth. His high stamina makes up for his breaking ability.

Game Plan

Your plan is to win games and work the farm system. Lawrie and d’Arnaud are two solid pieces to sit next to power man Jose Bautista. Keep winning and improving your players, and you should be able to beat out one of big three eventually.

Future Outlook

I’ve already raved about d’Arnaud, so I’ll shift my focus. Kyle Drabek is still a young 24 and can turn into a solid starting pitcher. But the gem of the farm system is a centerfielder sitting in AA: Jake Marisnick. With a high potential and an age of 20, he could be a primetime MLB player in two seasons.

Team Ranking

The Blue Jays are sitting on that very fine ledge, where one thing could happen and it could all blow up. But at the same time, that one thing could mean wonders as well. The key here is to be patient; Toronto’s time is soon.

6 (Middle of the road)     Baltimore Orioles

Current Outlook

No matter how much thy try, the Orioles always get stuck in the cellar. Baltimore needs to rebuild and start very soon. Even with fantastic young players like Adam Jones and Matt Weiters, they’re lineups won’t get it done when you’re facing the big three.

Key Players

Manny Machado – Machado is the top shortstop prospect right now, but he is still a ways from seeing a lot of action. He is only 19 and in AA. His strengths are fielding, which shows in his above-average ratings. Hitting is there, but it will take time to develop. Play it right and you’ll have one of the top players in the MLB.

Matt Wieters – Wieters is the best player on one of the worst teams. His defensive ability and offense should help spark a few fires, but don’t expect much. By the time this team is close to competition, you may have to trade this guy away for the sake of the future.

Adam Jones – Jones is quick and great in the field. His bat isn’t too powerful, so don’t expect Griffey-like numbers from the kid. Still, with his speed on both sides of the ball, he will be a great asset for the future of the club. Even if it means trading him with Weiters.

Game Plan

Tough it out for a few years and make some good, solid trades. As long as you can do what Toronto did with Halladay somehow, you can get into a similar position competition wise. Until then, just try your best on making your veterans look good so those contenders want to give up prospects for them.

Future Outlook

Baltimore has a solid farm system, which is anchored by Machado. However, the arms they have sitting around are something to keep your eye on. Dylan Bundy, another 19-year-old kid, is one of the top relief prospects in the nation. He should be on your roster by September.

Team Ranking

Sorry O’s fans, but you’re going to have to wait it out longer than most until you hoist up that trophy.

3 (Rebuilding)