MLB players: The biggest difference makers for all 30 teams in 2020

MLB players: The biggest difference makers in 2020

American League East

You could go so many directions with the New York Yankees when it comes to their most important player this year, but I am going to go with none other than Gerrit Cole.

It was GM Brian Cashman’s biggest goal this offseason: to sign Gerrit Cole.

He didn’t lose a single game in the final four months of the regular season and then proceeded to be a big part of why the Astros were able to get to the World Series and then force it to a Game 7 back in Houston.

He is going to need to do the same thing in New York, as there are much greater expectations for him as a Yankee than there were as an Astro. They didn’t give him $324 million–more than Manny Machado–for nothing.

If he doesn’t perform like an ace, which is what Yankee fans are expecting then there are teams like the Astros and Twins that could beat New York in October before they even get a chance to face the Dodgers in the expected World Series matchup.

Tyler Glasnow is the most important player on the Rays for me heading into 2020. They were able to take the Astros to five games in the ALDS but most fans don’t remember that Tyler Glasnow was hurt during the season en route to what could have been a Cy Young caliber season.

So, if he can stay healthy all year in that rotation, the Rays will give the Yankees a run for their money.

The Boston Red Sox made the necessary move by trading Mookie Betts and David Price before the club started up their Spring Training camp in Florida. But a lot of fans believe this team won’t compete for the postseason this year after losing the second-best player in baseball.

But I think they have the potential to compete for a Wild Card as long as Chris Sale gets back to being Chris Sale.

After winning the World Series in 2018, he got off to a horrid start and never really reached his potential last year, pitching to a 4.40 ERA with just 6 wins.

He will need to step up and lead the rotation this season, especially after the club just lost David Price.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the most key player for the Blue Jays this season. Yes, I know that Hyun-Jin Ryu seems like the logical choice because he signed a big contract this winter but Guerrero was the highest touted prospect since Bryce Harper and he didn’t really perform.

In 123 games, he only hit 15 home runs while striking out 93 times. The big problem with him is he hits the ball on the ground too much so if he can get the ball in the air more it should translate to better numbers and a better Blue Jay club in 2020.

The Baltimore Orioles are going to be lucky to win 60 games in 2020 as they are definitely rebuilding so the X-factor for the young ballclub is the veteran Chris Davis.

Trey Mancini is the best player on the roster but Chris Davis is still being paid $17 million too much this season so he needs to find a way to earn some of it.

He didn’t get a hit for weeks to open the 2019 season but the Orioles are forced to keep him on the roster so if he can make himself valuable to the club, then I think it would be a positive for Orioles fans.