The Post’s Dan Martin breaks down the Yankees’ AL East foes:
Boston Red Sox
2019: 84-78
Manager: TBD
Spring training site: Fort Myers, Fla.
Key additions: The Red Sox’s chaotic offseason included the addition of new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom — who arrived from Tampa Bay, taking over for Dave Dombrowski. On the field, Boston brought in utility player Jose Peraza, righty reliever Austin Brice and left-handed starter Martin Perez. Outfielder Alex Verdugo is set to arrive if the Mookie Betts trade to Los Angeles is finalized — more on that next.
Key losses: Where to begin? First, Boston canned manager Alex Cora for his role as Houston’s bench coach in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal. With MLB’s investigation into illegal sign-stealing under Cora in Boston in 2018 still ongoing, the Red Sox remained without a manager as of this weekend, though bench coach Ron Roenicke has reportedly emerged as the front-runner. To top that off, the Red Sox decided to punt on 2020 by agreeing to trade Betts and David Price to the Dodgers in what amounted to a salary dump. And even has turned into a prolonged mess that has drawn the ire of the MLBPA because of how long the players reportedly involved have been left in limbo. Rick Porcello also signed with the Mets as a free agent.
Storylines to watch: The Red Sox head into the season in disarray, embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal and awaiting MLB’s punishment. Whoever ends up in the manager’s seat will no doubt have his eyes on the future, as Bloom and team ownership seem more interested in getting under the luxury tax threshold this year than in competing for a division title.
Tampa Bay Rays
2019: 96-66
Manager: Kevin Cash (sixth year)
Spring training site: Port Charlotte, Fla.
Key additions: The Rays traded for outfielder Hunter Renfroe and signed Yoshitomo Tsutsugo from Japan. Renfroe will fortify the Rays’ outfield defense, and the lefty-hitting Tsutsugo is expected to add power to the lineup. The 28-year-old hit at least 28 homers in each of his last four seasons in Japan. Outfielder Manuel Margot arrived via trade with the Padres for closer Emilio Pagan.
Key losses: Tommy Pham was traded away for Renfroe and Travis d’Arnaud, Avisail Garcia and Eric Sogard all left as free agents. For a team that relies on front office creativity, the loss of Bloom to Boston and James Click to Houston could have an impact on how effective the Rays are with their limited payroll.
Storylines to watch: For now, it’s about getting a rotation that could be the best in the league ready for the regular season. For the future, eyes will be fixed on Wander Franco. The shortstop doesn’t turn 19 until next month, but he’s already considered by some to be the top prospect in the game. He finished last season at Class-A Bowling Green.
Toronto Blue Jays
2019: 67-95
Manager: Charlie Montoyo (second year)
Spring training site: Dunedin, Fla.
Key additions: Toronto made a big free-agent splash by signing Hyun-Jin Ryu to a four-year, $80 million deal to be the ace of the staff. The rotation was also bolstered when they signed Tanner Roark and traded for Milwaukee’s Chase Anderson. And right-hander Shun Yamaguchi was signed from Japan. The 32-year-old will have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Travis Shaw is one year removed from a 32-homer season.
Key losses: Justin Smoak signed with Milwaukee after hitting 20-plus homers each of the past three seasons.
Storylines to watch: The young trio of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette — all sons of former major leaguers — provided a glimpse last season of what might be to come in Toronto and they figure to improve this season.
Baltimore Orioles
2019: 54-108
Manager: Brandon Hyde (second year)
Spring training site: Sarasota, Fla.
Key additions: Baltimore has made it clear it’s still not trying to compete. They signed Jose Iglesias, who should be serviceable at shortstop and brought in Wade LeBlanc on a minor league deal with the expectation he’ll be in the rotation.
Key losses: Jonathan Villar, one of Baltimore’s lone consistent threats in their lineup a year ago, was traded to Miami for a minor leaguer. Dylan Bundy’s disappointing tenure with the Orioles ended when he was shipped to the Angels in exchange for prospects. Despite putting up mediocre numbers, Bundy led Baltimore in starts in 2019.
Storylines to watch: Not much to see here, unless you’re curious to find out if the rebuilding Orioles can be worse than they’ve been the past two seasons — when they went 101-223. Incredibly, Chris Davis — coming off two of the worst offensive seasons in modern history — still has three years and $69 million coming to him.