2015 Preseason American League East All-Star Team

Every year, the MLB All-Star Game features the best players of each league facing off against each other. However, if there was an all star team for each AL Division, which would be the strongest? This series of articles will find exactly that.

First off, the American League East.

Catcher:

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles (American League East)

Apr 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters greets team mates in the Orioles dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning in the Orioles 10-8 win over Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

This was a tough one right off the bat, as there are 3 really high quality catchers in the AL East, in the Blue Jays’ Russell Martin, the Yankees’ Brian McCann, and the Orioles’ Matt Wieters. All three have some question marks, as Martin struggled offensively somewhat in his first go around in the AL East, McCann is coming off of a disappointing 2014, and Wieters is coming off elbow surgery.

The reason I gave it to Wieters is he is the most complete of these 3 players when healthy. Wieters is a switch hitter with good power, and he is also one of the American League’s best behind the plate. If Wieters can return to form after the surgery, expect him to cash in big somewhere.

First Base:

Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays (American League East)

Sep 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a two run single in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

There is no way around this one, Edwin Encarnacion is a monster. After a slow start for him in 2014, Encarnacion went off in May, hitting .281 with 16 home runs and 33 RBI. Also, despite missing most of July and about half of August, the man still walloped 34 home runs and drove in 98 runs.

Now with an improved Blue Jays lineup that will likely have the newly-acquired Josh Donaldson hitting behind him, expect Encarnacion to maybe have his biggest year yet.

Second Base:

Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox, (American League East)

Sep 1, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) looks on from the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While Pedroia wasn’t his usual himself in 2014, he was still good for a 4.4 WAR. Part of the reason this could be is that he was dealing with a wrist injury, but now he says he is ready to go for the 2015 season.

Pedroia is a solid hitter, and a gifted defender. Pedroia only made 2 errors while manning second base all of 2014, and he picked up his fourth gold glove for his efforts. If Pedroia truly is freed from his wrist injury, I look for him to bounce back and have a typical, really-good, year.

Third Base:

Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) reacts as he round third base on the three-run home run by designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Another really tough one. There are three really good cases for the best AL East third baseman, in Donaldson, Manny Machado, and Evan Longoria. But with Machado coming off of 2 serious knee injuries, and Longoria in a severely weakened lineup, Donaldson takes the cake.

Donaldson has emerged as one of the game’s best at the hot corner in the last few years, and on both sides of the ball. Donaldson is not only one of the game’s premier power hitters and run producers, he is also one of the game’s best defenders at third base. He also put up his offensive numbers in the spacious Oakland Coliseum, and now with a move to the bandbox up in Toronto, I expect his numbers to get even better.

Shorstop:

J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles

Oct 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) turns a double play over Kansas City Royals second baseman Omar Infante (14) during the third inning in game three of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

After hitting 30, 22, and 25 home runs the last three seasons before 2014, but then only hit 9 in 2014. However, Hardy’s down year with the bat did not translate to the field, as Hardy was his usual stellar self on defense. Hardy has picked up 3 consecutive gold glove awards for his work at shorstop, and he is one of the most consistent and reliable defenders in the game.

While I do not think Hardy will go back to 20+ homer ways as a 32 year old, he will probably hit around 15 homers. This decent power, along with his great defense, make Hardy the best shortstop the American League East has to offer.

Left Field:

Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

Sep 21, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

I was torn between going with Gardner or Hanley Ramirez of the Red Sox, but I went with Gardner as he has had much more outfield experience and will almost certainly be a better defender.

Gardner is a really solid player who can really do a little bit of everything. Gardner can fly, play solid defense, hit for a solid average, and he even hit 17 homers in 2o14, showing that he has some pop out of the leadoff spot as well.

Center Field:

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones hits a broken bat single against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Jones is one of the game’s best players and he plays a premium position in center field. Jones has won 3 consecutive gold gloves, has made 3 consecutive all star teams, and has picked up a silver slugger award in the process.

He has also hit at least .280 and hit at least 25 homers every year since 2011. Slotted in the heart of the Orioles’ lineup, Jones has become one of the most consistent performers in the game today, and is primed for another good year.

Right Field:

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) celebrates scoring a run during the first inning in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Bautista is one of the most feared hitters in the league, and for good reason. He has great power, evident by his 35 homers in 2014. He also has fantastic plate discipline and really only swings at pitches that are in the zone. If he gets his pitch middle in, watch out. He is fantastic power to his pull side.

On the defensive side, Bautista has a cannon for an arm and can throw a frozen rope from the warning track to the infield. All of this makes Joey Bats one of the best players in the league today.

Designated Hitter:

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Sep 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits the game-winning two-run home run in the tenth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Ortiz, like many Red Sox had a down year in 2014 compared to the rest of his career. But similarly to Pedroia, it still was a really solid year, as Big Papi hit 35 homers, but with a .263 average, which is down from his usual batting average.

Still, Ortiz showed that he has something left in the tank, and he will be counted on as a key producer in the Red Sox’s lineup yet again in 2015.

Starting Pitcher:

Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay Rays

Sep 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb (53) throws during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cobb is one of the most underrated pitchers in the league, and in my opinion, is a darkhorse AL Cy Young candidate. Cobb has thrown up sub-3 ERA’s the last 2 seasons, and with David Price now out of the picture, he will be counted on to be the Rays’ ace and workhorse atop the rotation, and I think he is up for the challenge.

Relief Pitcher:

Andrew Miller, New York Yankees

Feb 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Andrew Miller (48) works out as players and catchers arrive at George M. Steinbrenner FIeld. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The lefty Miller was absolutely dominant in 2014, splitting time between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. Miller had a 2.02 ERA with 103 strikeouts in only 62.1 innings pitched. Miller uses a mid nineties fastball and a wipeout slider to overpower right handed and left handed batters. For 2015, it looks like Miller will set up closer Dellin Betances in the Yankees bullpen, making it one of the strongest bullpens in the league.

Next: Mets or Yankees: Who Will Win More in '15?

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