American League East News

Mar 12, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy makes a throw to first to end the second inning during the spring training exhibition game against Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium.

Buck Showalter watched film of Masahiro Tanaka in the offseason before the righty was even officially declared a free agent and loved what he saw.

With Opening Day fast approaching, Orioles fans have a lot to be excited for. They have made several notable acquisitions to solidify their roster, and they have a strong minor leagues.

We're used to the Boston Red Sox being noisy. Shoot, between their collapse at the end of 2011, the Bobby Valentine Experience, their roster overhaul and their redemptive World Series-winning season in 2013, they spent a good two years hogging headlines.

Orioles right-hander Bud Norris battled through his shortest start of spring training on Thursday afternoon, allowing three runs and four hits through just 1 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre.

Mar 12, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion reacts after he hit a 2-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Florida Auto Exchange Park.

Today we'll be looking around the division going team by team at the most intriguing position battles for a starting spot around the diamond on each roster.

Sports Rehab welcomed Former Oriole outfielder and current Yankee broadcaster Ken Singleton to discuss the upcoming season for the Orange and Black as well as preview the 2014 AL East race.

You would not be faulted if you forgot about the Baltimore Orioles when thinking about the American League East.

Right field has not been a primary area of concern for the Orioles since Nick Markakis made his debut in 2006.

Mar 11, 2014; Melbourne, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann attempts to apply the tag to Washington Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium.

The New York Yankees were not as good as their record suggested last year, and they spent a lot of money this offseason to compensate for that fact.

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos did want to improve the starting rotation.

Our look at the Tribe's competition around the American League continues with the Orioles, who were busy this offseason, especially in the last few weeks.

Mar 11, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Todd Redmond reacts after he gave up a 2-run home run during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Orioles 101 provides 24/7 obsessive sports coverage of the Baltimore Orioles as a part of Sports Media 101 .

In this Aug. 20, 2013 file photo, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, in Kansas City, Mo.

Scouts representing some dozen or more teams who have watched Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks over the past dozen games all agree that the Red Sox have an exciting but scary situation with the left side of their infield.

As we continue our series comparing the AL East position-by-position, we take a look at center field.