The AL East is debatably the best division in the MLB, and they seem to be getting better. The Blue Jays and the Rays have both made blockbuster deals this offseason and both have the plan to win the division and maybe even the World Series. But the question still stands on how these deals will pay off?

The AL East is a very powerful division with big bats in every lineup. The Yankees and the Orioles finished one and two in homeruns last season and the Red Sox finished first in the league in doubles. Both the Yankees and Red Sox finished in the top 10 in runs scored. All the teams in this division have multiple all stars and big names that opposing teams hate to play. The Yankees have Jeter and Cano, the Orioles have Wieters and Jones, and the Red sox have Elsbery and Pedroia. The Rays made an enormous re-sign this offseason, Even Longoria, the four time all-star got over $100 million and greatly improves their chances for the next seven seasons.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays struck a great deal with the Marlins. The Marlins traded shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, catcher John Buck and the utility player Emilio Bonifacio to the Blue Jays for shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, starter Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis and the prospects Anthony DeSclafani, Jake Marisnick and Justin Nicolino. They also made a deal with the Mets to acquire Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey With the recent trades the Blue Jays gain an explosive offense and a tight defense This deal puts the Blue Jays toward the top of many people’s World Series predictions. It also doesn’t hurt that the Yankees have lost catcher Russell Martin to the Pirates.

The Yankees have major gaps at catcher, shortstop, third base and right field as of right now. The Yankees have lost A-Rod for half the season with his impending hip surgery; some people think the recent signing of Kevin Youkilis will make up for it, but he has been on three teams in two years and is not the same player as he used to be. The Yankees are hoping SS Derek Jeter will be ready for the start of spring training, but it’s not a good sign for the veteran, with his already decreasing speed and quickness, the ankle might make him even slower at short. There have been big rumors that the Yankees might get the powerful OF Josh Hamilton, but it doesn’t seem likely because the Yankees hope to be under the cap next season.

As the aging Yankees seem to be losing their edge the Blue Jays seem to be gaining it. With the blockbuster trade with the Marlins, the recent singing of the good OF Melkey Cabrera (who was suspended for using a banned substance last season after leading the league in hitting at the All Star Break) and new manager John Gibbons, they put a scare into most Yankee fans this season. It should be known they are the team to beat.