AL EAST

Record-setting Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge

- MATT EDDY

TEAM TO BEAT

NEW YORK YANKEES

The Yankees committed more salary in free agency than any club-$574 million-to retain American League MVP Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo and add Carlos Rodon. Rodon begins the season on the injured list with a strained elbow, while a shoulder injury will keep Frankie Montas sidelined indefinitely, but the Yankees have the pitching depth to compensate for those losses. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt assume rotation spots along with Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Nestor Cortes. On offense, the Yankees need new faces to support Judge, Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton. Second-year Oswaldo Cabrera takes an outfield spot, while rookie shortstop Oswald Peraza is a strong defender who hit well as a September callup. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is the wild card. If he hits, he could add a spark the Yankees' offense needs.

TOP PLAYER

AARON JUDGE, RF, YANKEES

At times during the second half last season, Judge seemed to will the Yankees to the division title. He hit.349/.502/.785 after the All-Star Game, hitting 29 home runs in 68 games to establish the American League record with 62 homers. Judge claimed all but two first-place votes for AL MVP, which was a testament to his historic season because he played in the same league as all-world Shohei Ohtani. Judge's 211 OPS+ is seventh-highest since 1961, trailing only four Barry Bonds seasons, one from Mark McGwire and one from Frank Thomas.

TOP PITCHER

GERRIT COLE, RHP, YANKEES