Ok guys, we're almost there. It's almost baseball season. Those of you that know me know that I live and breathe baseball, and without it I'd probably keel over and be gone. I've decided, what better way to get ready for the fast approaching Spring Training and 2016 season than some divisional previews and predictions? I may not be right all of the time but I like to think that I know a thing or two about baseball. So here goes, welcome to your AL East preview:

It's only fair that we start with the team that won the division last season. When the Blue Jays acquired David Price and Troy Tulowitzki during the summer last season, they immediately became the best team in baseball. They were intimidating, especially at home, having a ridiculous winning rate for the rest of the season (something like 120 wins for a 162 game season). Their offense put up 5.5 runs a game to lead the league, way ahead of the second best New York Yankees at 4.72. Their offense will have no problem scoring again this year, and may be even better if Devon Travis remains healthy (he's out until May), but David Price is gone and that's a big deal. This is also a team that struggled to win on the road last season, going 40-41, which is only going to be harder this season with less pitching. Marcos Stroman heads an overall really average rotation consisting of Marco Estrada, who I think over-performed last season, RA Dickey who is only still pitching because he throws knuckleballs, and then J.A. Happ and Jessie Chavez (or Drew Hutchison and Aaron Sanchez) who have been inconsistent throughout their careers. They're going to have to compete for a playoff spot this season which is only getting tougher in a league where teams are getting much, much better. I don't see them making it, which may not be a popular opinion considering last season.

Boston loaded up this offseason by acquiring David Price and Craig Kimbrel. They'll win the division easily right? Hmmm, I feel like I've heard this one before. Oh yeah! It was last season when they came in 5th place in the division going 78-84. So really, who even knows what'll happen. The Sox have a young, promising outfield led by Mookie Betts, who has already proven himself to be one of the better players in the league (he consistently bowls 300s too apparently).

I like Xander Bogaerts, who had 196 hits last season and a .984 fielding percentage. They have a solid rotation, not great, but having David Price obviously helps a lot. Their bullpen could be a little better but I like their acquisition of Carson Smith from the Seattle Mariners who will eat up some 6th and 7th innings. This is a team that's going to have to rely on its younger guys to step up and have good seasons. Dustin Pedroia is going to miss games at some point this season, and they have two fat slobs playing the corners in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. There's no other way to describe them I'm sorry. Hanley Ramirez, you are a disgrace to baseball. This guy was playing shortstop two seasons ago. He couldn't handle that anymore so he moved to third, then got thrown into left field at Fenway Park where all you have to do is turn around and play the bounce off of the wall, and is now so out of shape that he's playing first base. Don't get me wrong, first base is an incredibly difficult position to play, but the fact of the matter is you don't have to move as much there. Anyway, if the young guys step up, they can win the division.

The Orioles finished last season at 81-81, which put them in third place in the division. Since then, they haven't gotten any better. Baltimore lost it's best starting pitcher Wei Yin Chen to the Miami Marlins, and hasn't acquired any new pieces other than Mark Trumbo. They lost out on the Cespedes bid, but re-signed slugger Chris Davis to a 7-year, $161 million deal. I just can't believe that they haven't signed a starting pitcher. Yovani Gallardo is still available and should be jumped on by the Orioles immediately. He's had a sub-4 ERA every season but one in his nine year career, but isn't a very flashy pitcher as he doesn't record many strikeouts. The Orioles need someone to help out their rotation, which will struggle in a slugging AL East, Even if they do go out and sign a pitcher, I see them finishing right where they left off, right around .500 or worse.

The Rays were somehow the favorites to win the division last year, mainly because of its strong pitching as usual. But the team just could not score any runs. They went 80-82, finishing right behind the Orioles. This offseason, they stole Corey Dickerson from the Colorado Rockies, and got Brad Miller from the Seattle Mariners. The Rays also signed Steve Pearce, who was able to hit some dingers for the Orioles the past couple of seasons. The Rays have an unbelievable, young starting five led by Chris Archer. I'll say it's the best rotation in the division. If I could knock one thing about the team, it's their weakness in the bullpen, the DH spot, and catching, but they can definitely get by with what they have. They sent Jake McGee to the Rockies in the Dickerson deal, which will make Yankees fans happy as the Yanks always seemed to look lost against him. I absolutely see them contending to win the division this season, especially if Longoria can stay healthy, but the bullpen does worry me.

What an offseason. No one could have predicted that the Yankees would have traded for Aroldis Chapman and keep both Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, but I'll start with the bad news first. Losing Greg Bird really is awful for the organization. Not only are the Yanks losing a lot of potential production, but they're losing a year of his development as a hopeful superstar in the league. Like last season, there's a lot of ifs. If everyone stays healthy, there's no reason why they can't win the division. This means Teixeira, Tanaka, Gardner, and Ellsbury. We'll also have to see what happens with Nathan Eovaldi as he was shut down at the end of last season. Gardner is going to have a much better season as he was playing hurt for a lot of 2015. Didi Gregorius is only going to get better, Jacoby Ellsbury really can't be worse than he was, and the addition of Starlin Castro is going to help in so many ways. He'll give the Yankees solid defense at second base, and a bat that can be put anywhere in the lineup. Castro is also only 26. After winning 87 games and losing the Wild Card game to the Houston Astros, the Yankees have only gotten better. Spring training will give us a lot of answers as to what Aaron Hicks' role will be with the team, what the rotation will eventually look like, and how the bullpen will be rounded out.

Here's how I think the standings will look at the end of the season:

Boston Red Sox - 91-71

New York Yankees - 90-72

Tampa Bay Rays - 85-77

Toronto Blue Jays - 85-77

Baltimore Orioles - 76-86

It's unbelievable how competitive this division will be. I could end up being 100% wrong about all of this because it's nothing but a toss up.