The AL East continues their tradition of fielding explosive lineups this season, and these teams are sure to produce a lot of runs. Here are the players who will make the biggest impact in 2014:
Catcher: Matt Weiters, Baltimore Orioles
Weiters has been developing into the player that the Orioles wanted to mold him into. If he can continue the power and hit for a more consistent average, the Orioles will have another solid piece to a very consistent line-up.
First Base: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
Davis impressed every baseball fan last season with his 50-plus bombs. You have to wonder how pitchers will approach him this season and whether he will even be able to come close to matching his 2013 numbers.
Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Pedroia is a career .302 hitter and fields the second base position as well as anyone in the game. He's a veteran that will have an exciting year trying to get the Red Sox back to the World Series to defend their title.
Third Base: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Longoria was back to his usual self in 2013 after an injury-plagued 2012. He will be the anchor to the Rays, who could be very dangerous in 2014.
Shortstop: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
2014 will be an award tour for Jeter, who has had nothing short of an iconic career as a Yankee. He will surely be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.
Left Field: Nelson Cruz, Baltimore Orioles
Cruz will receive a nice change in scenery and start the post-Biogenesis chapter in his career. He will be a nice fit in the Orioles veteran outfield.
Center Field: Jacoby Ellisbury, New York Yankees
Ellisbury was definitely the best move the Yankees made in their busy offseason. He has plenty of upside and talent to add to the line-up and will make his mega-deal well worth it in 2014.
Right Field: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
"Joey Bats" will be seeking vengeance in 2014, after a disappointing 2013 campaign. The Blue Jays are going to need all the help they can get this season.
Designated Hitter: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
This hero of Boston can still see the ball as good as anybody in the game at the plate. Expect Ortiz to pick up right where he left off in the World Series last season.
Best Rotation: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays will be tough to produce runs against from top to bottom this season. The front office solved the loss of Fernando Rodney by acquiring Grant Balfour to close this season. The rotation is anchored around David Price, who will be needing to produce in order to supplement his value for next season. The fifth spot in the rotation is the only liability but will be filled once Jeremy Hellickson returns from an elbow injury.
Be sure to check out each division's power player preview by clicking on the links below:
