Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays: 1 July bold prediction for every AL East team

Three months down, three more to go for the 2023 regular season. In the American League East, things continued to trend through the month of June as they did for the first two months.

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to be the class of the division and the American League. The Atlanta Braves are setting the pace for both leagues, but it’s very likely that the AL East will get multiple teams in October baseball.

As the calendar turns to July, this is going to be a big month for all five teams. With that said, here is one bold prediction for each team in the AL East.

Bold prediction: Baltimore Orioles make pre-trade deadline moves to go all-in

We knew that the Orioles were going to be a dangerous team this season and it started out that way. They have continued their impressive season and there is no reason why they should not be buyers at the trade deadline and make an early move to add.

Adding a starting pitcher to their staff is one way they could go to set themselves up for a playoff run. Shane Bieber is an option that a lot of teams are going to be in on and it’s just whether or not the Cleveland Guardians are going to move the right-hander. He would be an addition as he has playoff experience and is a top-of-the-rotation arm that can be the difference in a short series.

If they can’t get Bieber, then Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox is another pitcher that will be highly sought after. It’s clear that Chicago is once again going to miss out on the playoffs and they should be looking to hit the reset button for a couple of seasons. Like Bieber, Giolito has plenty of big-game experience and would be a big addition to any staff.

For the first time in a long time, the Orioles are going to be trade deadline buyers, and making an early move (maybe a pre-All-Star Break move?) is an avenue they should go.

Bold prediction: Boston Red Sox DFA pitcher Corey Kluber

As has been the case under GM Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox took a flyer on Corey Kluber to be the No. 2 behind Chris Sale this season. Instead, he got the ball on Opening Day against the Orioles and things have gone downhill since.

Kluber has worked in 15 games this season, six out of the bullpen after nine bad starts, and is 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA. In 55 innings, he has 42 strikeouts, he’s walked 21 batters, and given a whopping 17 home runs. It started in the first game of the season against the Orioles when he served up a home run to Adley Rutschman, the second batter of the game, and the long ball has been his worst enemy since.

Kluber is currently on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. Say what you want, but this certainly feels like a move where the Red Sox are out of options, and hope the rest can help him turn things around. Boston needs him to turn it around, but it seems the 37-year-old will be able to do it.

Bloom needs to admit that signing Kluber was a mistake and that there were too many expectations placed on him. Pride aside, it just feels like they will DFA him before the trade deadline as it’s unlikely that will be able to move him in any trade.

Bold prediction: Tampa Bay Rays add a starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline

If history tells us anything, the Rays generally don’t make big splashes before or at the trade deadline. This season, however, feels different for Kevin Cash’s team.

Looking around the rest of the American League, what team would they look at and say “I don’t think we can beat them in the playoffs”? Certainly not anyone from the American League Central. In the AL West, maybe the Texas Rangers? Will the Houston Astros turn things around and be that October team nobody wants to play? Can anyone really trust the Los Angeles Angels?

In the AL East, are the Orioles that team that’s going to get into the postseason and make a World Series run? The Yankees don’t look like a serious threat and the Blue Jays and Red Sox are in the same boat as New York. If there is a year Tampa Bay goes all-in for a World Series run, it’s 2023.

Like the Orioles, Bieber, or Giolito would be difference-maker additions, or do they go another route? They could also go the route of adding a bat or bullpen help. A lot depends on the health of Shane McClanahan’s injury, which sounds like they dodged a big injury. This is the year for the Rays to strike first and make themselves the favorite in the AL and they more than likely will.

Bold prediction: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. takes team lead in home runs

Three months into the season, you would have expected more than 11 home runs for the Blue Jays power-hitting first baseman. The power has not been there, but he did hit back-to-back homers against the Oakland Athletics, which could be a sign that the power is coming back.

Bo Bichette is the Toronto leader in home runs with 14, followed by Dalton Varsho and Guerreo, Jr. with 12, and George Springer has 11. It has not been the first half of the season that the Blue Jays would have liked to have had, stuck at the bottom of the division standings with the Yankees and Red Sox. They are in a position to grab a playoff spot with a wild card berth.

The 2023 story of Toronto has been one night they get the pitching, but not much offense, then they get an offensive outburst, and they don’t get the pitching. Alek Manoah has struggled and those struggles reached the point of being sent to the Florida League to figure things out.

The Blue Jays’ offense centers around Guerrero and his power, which has not been there in the first three months consistently. He’s a hitter who can hit them in bunches and July is the perfect month for him to get hot and take over the team lead from Bichette.