Blue Jays
Good: The team is still at the top of the tough AL East led by solid batting and starting pitching. 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. and SS Bo Bichette continue to lead the way along with a solid streak by veteran OF George Springer. C Alejandro Kirk has had a solid batting streak after struggling last season. Veteran P Max Scherzer has had a hot streak regaining his form after the injuries. Late pickup 1B Ty France has been able to contribute.
Bad: The team still hasn’t been able to lock up Bichette long-term. The Yankees and Red Sox are starting to catchup. Offseason pickups 2B Andres Gimenez and OF Anthony Santander have been injured and ineffective this year. The bullpen needs to play better.
Yankees
Good: The team is healthy and at the top of the AL Wildcard only 3 games back from the AL East lead. The bats and pitching continue to play well led by OF Aaron Judge who should win another AL MVP. Offseason pickups 1B Paul Goldschmidt and OF/1B Cody Bellinger have been healthy and playing very well, especially Bellinger. OF Trent Grisham continues to be a consistent bat with power even playing leadoff. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been on a hot streak after struggling since injury. DH/OF Giancarlo Stanton has played well since his return filling in nicely while Judge was out. Late pickups 2B/SS Amed Rosario and SS/3B Jose Caballero have been able to contribute and provide depth.
Trade deadline pickup Closer David Bednar has taken over the position and saved the bullpen struggles. P Luis Gil has returned giving them a solid right-handed #2/#3 option. 1st year pitcher Cam Schlittler has played well so far making the unit even deeper.
Bad: The team had to give-up on players like P Marcus Stroman and 2B/3B D.J. LeMahieu. The Catcher position has struggled to get on base consistently. SS Anthony Volpe has taken a step back in consistency. Big pickup 3B Ryan McMahon has provided good defense but continues to struggle at bat.
Red Sox
Good: The team is only 3.5 games back from the lead and 2nd place in the AL Wildcard. The bats have continued to play well led by a team effort. OF Ceddanne Rafaela is arguably the best defensive OF in baseball at only 24 with improved offense. 3B Alex Bregman has been a solid pickup and wants to stay long-term. SS Trevor Story has regained form after the injuries. 1st year OF Roman Anthony has been as solid as advertised while playing the leadoff. Catcher Carlos Narvaez has been a solid upgrade in his first year as a starter. Late pickup 1B Nathaniel Lowe has been able to contribute.
Big pickup Garrett Crochet continues to be an ace and 2nd in the AL Cy Young race. P Brayan Bello has taken a step forward. Veteran P Lucas Giolito has rebounded after the injuries and ineffective play making the 2yr investment payoff. Veteran Closer Aroldis Chapman has been solid still throwing above 100mph shutting players down at 37. 1st year P Payton Tolle looked very good in his first start.
Bad: The pitching has been the reason the team has fallen behind and the move for Dustin May never made sense. The team has released offseason pickup P Walker Buehler another move that didn’t make much sense at the time. The Rafael Devers trade is looking more like a salary move as the return has been minimal/non-existent. Injuries to the pitching staff, 1st year 3B/SS Marcelo Mayer, and 1B Tristan Casas. OF/DH Masataka Yoshida has struggled since his return from injury. 1st year 2B/OF Kristian Campbell was called up early but hasn’t returned despite injuries at his positions.
Rays
Good: The team has continued to be competitive in a tough AL race while putting out quality pitching, starting and bullpen, and making cost saving moves. Young pitcher Ryan Pepiot has taken the next step as another smart pickup last season. The bats have played well led by long time veteran 1B/3B Yandy Diaz, 2B Brandon Lowe, OF Josh Lowe returning from injury, and the emergence of young 3B Junior Caminero. 1B Jonathan Aranda was playing well before injury in his 1st year of extended playing time. OF Chandler Simpson has played well in his 1st year as one of the fastest players in the league. 1st year OF Jake Mangum has shown potential and played well despite injuries.
Bad: Despite the growth, the team has fallen to midlevel again and outside of the playoff picture. The team continues to struggle to find a long-term replacement at the SS position. The Catcher position continues to struggle as pickup Danny Jansen was never the answer and has been moved. The team could use another power bat or two. Although the pitching is always solid, the team could use a true ace to lead the way.
Orioles
Good: The team has continued to compete despite trading away some good players giving time to younger players. After a slow start due to injury, SS Gunnar Henderson has regained form. Same with 1B Ryan Mountcastle and 3B Jordan Westburg who have also dealt with injuries. Pitcher Trevor Rogers has looked like an ace after a rough year last year. Pickup Tomoyuki Sugano has shown flashes of being a #2/3 starter. 2B Jackson Holliday has played well in year 2 while also playing the leadoff.
Bad: The pitching has been horrible and star Closer Felix Bautista has another major injury to go with the injuries the unit has had all season long. The team traded away some quality players in fan favorite OF Cedric Mullins, 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn, and OF Ramon Laureano. Pickup OF Tyler O’Neill has struggled with injuries and ineffective play. Catcher Adley Rutschman has struggled with injuries and ineffective play after a good start and the contract of young C Samuel Basallo has opened questions about his future with the team. Basallo has struggled after the long-term contract. Young players 1B Coby Mayo and OF Heston Kjerstad continue to struggle. The pitching staff needs major help.
