Paul J. Bereswill / AP

General manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi should have the Yankees sitting pretty once again in 2010.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles are probably a couple years away from contending, but I really like what general manager Andy MacPhail is doing with his team.

This offseason, MacPhail brought in veteran starter Kevin Millwood to not only stabilize the rotation, but to work with all the young guys on the roster.

The Orioles have some young starters and a lot of potential with guys like Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman, and now they have Millwood to show them the ropes. And the bullpen has been stabilized with the addition of closer Mike Gonzalez

On offense, the Orioles are solid up the middle with second baseman Brian Roberts (if healthy) and shortstop Cesar Izturis, have a possible future Joe Mauer at catcher in Matt Wieters, and a very promising outfield of Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold and Nick Markakis.

It is a very solid looking group, but young and not without questions. The Orioles could improve more than any other team in the AL East this season and still only be a .500 team as they were 64-98 last season. I think their expectations for 2010 are to be a .500 club. This organization is progressing, but is a couple years away from contending.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
The Blue Jays appear to be throwing in the towel for awhile. With Roy Halladay gone, there is really not much to be excited about in the starting rotation. Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan are both coming off surgery, and Brandon Morrow will be a big question mark as the Jays must decide — as the Mariners couldn’t — whether he is a starter or reliever (they're choosing to make him a starter for now). There is really nothing solid there.

The Jays have some nice young offensive players like Aaron Hill, Travis Snider and Adam Lind. They also have some nice arms in the bullpen. The problem is, their BEST arms are in the bullpen, so you have to wonder how they will ever get to it with a lead.

If the Blue Jays manage to play .500-ball in 2010 they’ll be very happy. Of course, they couldn’t pull that off with Halladay on the roster last season, so I wouldn’t be too optimistic.

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