The Boston Red Sox went worst to first last season and they enter 2014 as the defending World Series champions. All five American League East teams began last season with a legitimate shot at winning the division and that may be the case once again.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox rode a host of middling signings to October glory this past fall and Ben Cherington is hoping to do the same in 2014. Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino will return, but John Farrell will be forced to rely on youngsters at third base (Xander Bogaerts) and in center field (Jackie Bradley, Jr.). Bogaerts seems primed to take the ball and run with it at the hot corner, but Bradley is an unknown as Jacoby Ellsbury's replacement.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

A.J. Pierzynski: .272/.297/.425, 17 HRs, 70 RBIs in 529 PAs

Edward Mujica: 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 46 Ks in 64.2 IP

Chris Capuano: 4.26 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 81 Ks in 105.2 IP 

Tampa Bay Rays

If they don't trade David Price, the Rays have a real shot at winning the division (and much more). That is the dilemma Andrew Friedman and the rest of the front office face as Opening Day nears. Like the Red Sox, they remain largely the same from last season but they did finish 2013 with 92 wins, which was enough to grab a Wild Card spot. Price leads a rotation that should only get better with experience and age.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Grant Balfour: 2.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 72 Ks in 62.2 IP

Heath Bell: 4.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 72 Ks in 65.2 IP

Ryan Hanigan: .198/.306/.261, 2 HRs, 21 RBIs in 260 PAs 

New York Yankees

After missing the postseason for the first time since 2008, the Yankees opened up their checkbook in search of reinforcements. A boatload of money later -- Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Masahiro Tanaka -- the Yankees have their sights set on another World Series title. There is added motivation in New York this season as Derek Jeter prepares to hang up his cleats.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Jacoby Ellsbury: .298/.355/.426, 9 HRs, 53 RBIs in 636 PAs

Brian McCann: .256/.336/.461, 20 HRs, 57 RBIs in 402 PAs

Masahiro Tanaka: 1.27 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 183 Ks in 212 IP (Japan)

Brian Roberts: .249/.312/.392, 8 HRs, 39 RBIs in 296 PAs

Kelly Johnson: .235/.305/.410, 16 HRs, 52 RBIs in 407 PAs

Baltimore Orioles

They were late to the party, but the Orioles make several win-now moves in the latter stages of the offseason. They signed Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz with eyes on contending while their young core remains under contract and intact. The outcome of this season will have a huge bearing on the future's of Matt Wieters and Chris Davis, who will be free agents after the 2015 season.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Ubaldo Jimenez: 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 194 Ks in 182.2 IP

Nelson Cruz: .266/.327/.506, 27 HRs, 76 RBIs in 456 PAs

Jemile Weeks: .111/.111/.111, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs in 9 PAs

Suk-min Yoon: 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 76 Ks in 87.2 IP 

Toronto Blue Jays

After making major waves prior to last season, the Blue Jays didn't change much this winter. Alex Anthopoulos is hoping the further maceration of their roster will leads to more than the 74 wins they managed in 2013. It will be hard for Toronto to climb of last place, but they have a role model within the division (Red Sox). The only thing they are lacking is a few mid-level free agent additions.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Dioner Navarro: .300/.365/.492, 13 HRs, 34 RBIs in 266 PAs

How We Think They'll Stack Up:

1. Red Sox: Chemistry will break talent battle with New York.

2. Yankees: Jeter's career will end with a Wild Card berth.

3. Rays: A Price trade will set them back, but only a season.

4. Orioles: Jimenez won't pitch like an ace, gamble lost.

5. Blue Jays: They'll improve, but the division is just too deep.

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