Al Yellon created Bleed Cubbie Blue and has been its managing editor since 2005. His latest book about the Cubs is "Chicago Cubs Firsts." Find him on Bluesky at @bleedcubbieblue.bsky.social
The AL East has traditionally been a tough division, though last year only two of the teams finished over .500. The Cubs went 7-8 against these five teams, though that nearly even record was boosted by sweeping the Orioles. They were only 4-8 vs. the Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays and Yankees.
Hopefully, they can improve on that this year.
Baltimore Orioles
Key departures: Corbin Burnes, Anthony Santander, James McCann, Austin Slater, Eloy Jimenez
Key arrivals: Tyler O’Neill, Gary Sanchez, Charlie Morton, Andrew Kittredge, Dylan Carlson, Ramon Laureano
The biggest of the names above that departed are Burnes and Santander.