David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Random thoughts and notes: AL East

Baltimore Orioles: If Nick Markakis really wanted to return to Baltimore, wouldn't he have signed by now? ... Remember that year he had a .406 OBP? Yeah, that was a long time ago. ... Markakis won the Gold Glove, but that was as much by default as anything. There were only seven full-time right fielders in the American League and none of them were outstanding defenders. ... Nelson Cruz or Markakis? If I could only have one, I'd probably take the chance on Cruz and the potential that he'll have a couple more big seasons in him over Markakis' OK-but-nothing-special numbers. ... The Orioles could turn their attention to Melky Cabrera if they don't sign Markakis. ... If Jonathan Schoop can add 50 points of OBP, he's going be a very good player. He may already turn the double play as well as any second baseman in the game. ... Kevin Gausman should get 30 starts this year and -- while he projects as a solid mid-rotation guy -- imagine how dominant he could be as a multi-inning relief weapon, as we saw during the postseason. Still, he has more value as a rotation guy. ... One rumor has the Marlins asking about Chris Davis, but without Cruz and Markakis for now, the O's can't afford to punt on Davis, as bad as he was in 2014. ... Get healthy, Manny.

New York Yankees: Right now, I'd pick the Yankees to finish last in the division, with their first under-.500 record since 1992. But we can assume the current roster isn't close to their final roster. ... It wouldn't surprise me if Max Scherzer ends up being their big splash. How about a rotation of Scherzer, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Brandon McCarthy (have to re-sign the last two)? ... Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees are pushing harder to acquire a shortstop than a third baseman, which could indicate lukewarm interest in bringing Chase Headley back. Or, in other words, enjoy Alex Rodriguez, Yankees fans! ... Could see the Yankees going after one of the Seattle shortstops, Brad Miller or Chris Taylor. Mariners could use some rotation depth, so maybe Shane Greene for Taylor makes sense, especially if the Yankees sign McCarthy and/or Kuroda. ... How many years left on that Mark Teixeira contract? ... Any chance for a Carlos Beltran comeback at 38? Steamer projects a .261/.325/.440 line with 23 home runs. ... Steamer also foresees a similar improvement from Brian McCann, from a 92 wRC+ to 111. That would certainly help an offense that ranked 13th in the AL in runs scored. ... The last time the Yankees offense ranked that bad was 1990, when they were last in the league in runs. Jesse Barfield and Roberto Kelly were the only guys to drive in 50 runs that year. ... In the end, I think David Robertson returns to pinstripes.

Toronto Blue Jays: With Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion still providing top-level offense, it makes sense for the Jays to go in all-in with Bautista still under contract for two more seasons. Remember when many thought the Jays overpaid for Bautista at $14 million per season? ... I think the Jays need to bring Melky Cabrera back, in part to get a left-handed batter alongside Bautista, Encarnacion and Russell Martin. ... It's asking a lot to expect Dalton Pompey to be the starting center fielder, considering his lack of experience above Class A. Steamer projects Pompey to hit .238/.296/.353. ... Dalton Pompey: That has to be a top-five name. Do the Jays play the Dodgers this year? Vin Scully would make that name sing. ... I'm buying big-time on Marcus Stroman and also expect Drew Hutchison to have a better season. Hutchison's strikeout rate was good so, so if he can cut out a few home runs, he looks like a solid mid-rotation starter. ... I'd be tempted to leave Aaron Sanchez in the bullpen. He dominated there when called u, while when he started in the minors his control problems were a big issue. But he walked just nine in 33 innings (and allowed only 14 hits) pitching in relief with Toronto. He could be a huge weapon as a middle-innings reliever, or a potential closer to replace Casey Janssen. ... The Jays have reportedly discussed Jay Bruce, or thought about going after Bruce, but Bruce apparently has a no-trade clause that includes Toronto. ... Good luck with Justin Smoak. ... What about Chase Headley at third base? They could slide Brett Lawrie over to second, although Devon Travis may be ready to take over there at midseason. ... Toronto may shop Dioner Navarro now; I have to think a team like the Dodgers would be interested. ... It still feels like the Jays have one more big move coming, whether it's Melky, a pitcher or another bat.

Tampa Bay Rays: Don't count out a bounce-back into contention from the Rays, although I do think losing Joe Maddon was a significant blow. ... They need Evan Longoria to be Evan Longoria after he dipped to a career-worst .253/.320/.404 line. Steamer sees some improvement but not back to his previous level of performance. ... The Rays scored 612 runs, lowest in the AL, but here's one reason to expect improvement: Their component statistics indicate an offense that should have scored 650 runs. ... In various splits, Tampa Bay's worst OPS figures came with runners at second and third and with the bases loaded. ... Goodbye, Jose Molina, your pitch framing will be missed but not your "bat." ... Don't sleep on Drew Smyly, who had a 1.70 ERA in seven starts after coming over from Detroit. He's not THAT good, of course, but he should line up nicely in the rotation behind Alex Cobb and Chris Archer. ... Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee ranked third and 12th in the majors in strikeout rate for relievers (minimum 40 innings), giving Tampa a dominant 1-2 punch out of the pen. ... The Rays could trade Matt Joyce, slide Ben Zobrist back to the outfield and give Nick Franklin a chance at second base. ... Remember Wil Myers? The more I look at the Rays, I believe they can get back in the playoff hunt, especially if Matt Moore can return and help out and Myers forgets about a lost 2014 and has a big season. ... Kevin Cash, Don Wakamatsu or Raul Ibanez for manager? No doubt that Ibanez would be the gutsy choice, but sounds like Cash is the favorite. He was on Terry Francona's staff in Cleveland the past two years.

Boston Red Sox: Think the Red Sox will do anything interesting this offseason? ... While it seems a foregone conclusion that Yoenis Cespedes will be traded, I guess you could keep him to play right field and use Mookie Betts as a super-utility guy. ... That would still leave Mike Napoli, Allen Craig and/or Daniel Nava as potential trade bait. ... Cespedes would bring the most back, although I can't see Seattle giving Hisashi Iwakuma for him. ... Are the Red Sox the best team in the East if they sign Jon Lester and trade for Cole Hamels? Not so sure about that. Boston won 71 games; if Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, Lester and Hamels are all five-win upgrades, that's 91 wins. Except that Lester is, in part, replacing himself, so that's not a five-win upgrade. Plus, they've lost John Lackey's starts, and Hamels would be changing leagues and out of the weak NL East, where he faced several subpar offensive teams. And Sandoval is more like a three-win player. ... In other words, I still think there is work to do even if they land both Lester and Hamels. And that's not counting on any regression from David Ortiz, who is going to get old one of these years. ... Clay Buchholz did have a 4.01 FIP compared to his 5.34 ERA, so maybe he's a good bet to do better than 8-11. Or he may not make anything close to 28 starts again. ... Love Mookie. Kid is going to be a star. No, they're not including him in a trade for Hamels, so stop dreaming, Phillies fans. ... Have to think they'll get a lefty reliever. Maybe Andrew Miller returns? ... Rusney Castillo, can't wait to see what you can do with 500 at-bats. ... Yes, I still believe in Xander Bogaerts. No, I don't think he'd be included in a Hamels trade either.

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