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Which team is the biggest obstacle to the Jays' quest for the AL East title?

Orioles 4 (3.54%)
Red Sox 5 (4.42%)
Yankees 16 (14.16%)
Rays 88 (77.88%)

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113 votes | 10 featured comments
Which team is the biggest obstacle to the Jays' quest for the AL East title? | 10 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Richard S.S. - Saturday, March 16 2013 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#269222) #
It`s possible "biggest obstacle" is a misnomer, with "only competition" as being more suitable.
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electric carrot - Saturday, March 16 2013 @ 09:29 PM EDT (#269228) #
I think the Yanks are still the best of the rest.  Tampa strikes me as above average but not much more.  The offense I think is underrated but not sure about the back end of that rotation.


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Geoff - Sunday, March 17 2013 @ 12:27 AM EDT (#269230) #
I'd like a "themselves" option, please.
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Alex Obal - Sunday, March 17 2013 @ 01:19 AM EDT (#269236) #
Briefly considered that, but I'm letting the hive mind say the famous last words. I'm keeping my distance.

They better bury the Yankees early.
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Mick Doherty - Sunday, March 17 2013 @ 09:10 PM EDT (#269247) #
Avast! They damn well *better* bury the Yankees early, or pennant dreams will go fluttering by as the Jays focus on a Wild Card run. Personally, I think (and am rooting for, natch) the Yankees are probably the best team in the division.

I'm assuming 80-100 games played for A-Rod and for Pettitte to stay healthy ahead of Kuroda and Sabathia -- and something magical to happen in the outfield ... okay, the pennant might be a reach, But the Yankees make the playoffs. Why? Because the Yankees ALWAYS make the playoffs ...
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Mike Green - Monday, March 18 2013 @ 08:28 AM EDT (#269251) #
Rays and Yankees are about even.  On paper at the outset of the season, the Rays are better.  If the Yanks play well the first couple of months, the purse strings will probably loosen.  Not so for the Rays.

It is reasonably possible for any one of the five teams to win. 

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Richard S.S. - Monday, March 18 2013 @ 12:05 PM EDT (#269255) #

Toronto has 10 games verses New York through 19 May.   Chances are good Granderson, Teixeira and A-Rod will still be missing.   No one is certain how effective Rivera and Jeter will be, but being as good as before might not happen.   I have my doubts about how effective the balance of this Team is, especially because of who is no longer there.

Luxury Tax counts the continuous years in the Luxury Tax range from prior to new MLB contract.   The details  of this make excessive spending punative, not just expensive, and starts immediately and just gets worse.   New York will do everything in their power to avoid this.   Any acquisitions will be equal $$$ for $$$ without increasing Salaries.    Implications of this make re-signing Cano almost impossible.

Where is all the Tampa offensecoming from?   They now have Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar.   Their Starters, while being good are not as good as last year.   Chances are very slim to nonexistent for their re-signing of Price, which will make it harder still.   Tampa's acquisitions will be equal $$$ for $$$ without increasing Salaries.  

Toronto will be Buyers, with J.A. Happ and possibly Ricky Romero being moved if necessary.

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greenfrog - Wednesday, March 20 2013 @ 09:11 AM EDT (#269269) #
Now Jeter is also hurting. The Yankees are in a tough spot early on. Take advantage while you can.
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John Northey - Wednesday, March 20 2013 @ 09:33 PM EDT (#269294) #
If the Yankees are in 1st or close to it on May 1st then everyone else in the division should pretty much start planning for 2014 or chasing the wild cards.  I mean, they are like an infirmary right now and if they are even at 500 come May I'll be impressed.
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greenfrog - Sunday, March 24 2013 @ 03:08 PM EDT (#269382) #
Jim Callis's predictions for the AL East in 2013 (from his March 18 Ask BA column): Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles.

Callis's is a respected voice in baseball - it would be interesting to hear his reasoning.

Just watched Rasmus dive for a catchable ball, which clanked off the heel of his glove and rolled away. Sigh...
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Which team is the biggest obstacle to the Jays' quest for the AL East title? | 10 comments | Create New Account
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