Predictions exist for essentially one reason: to showcase your knowledge, or lack thereof, by season’s end. And what better way to make myself look foolish than predicting the outcome of baseball’s toughest division? I argue there is none. However, on the off chance that I am right—and hey, it has happened once before—you can refer to me as "Guru," say it was a lucky guess, or whatever you want. If I’m wrong...well, you can get creative.     

The American League East is the most jumbled pool of talent in the entire league. You could make a case for any of the five teams to win the division, except maybe the Blue Jays. Each team boasts several strengths, but they are also countered by glaring weaknesses that need to be on the mend. 

Without further adieu, I give you the final standings of the AL East:

1. Tampa Bay Rays

By season’s end, this bunch may be the best in all of baseball. They have the third lowest payroll, but don’t let that fool you. This team is solid from the ground up. Their rotation, led by David Price, is one of the most intimidating staffs in the league, so there is never a day off for opposing hitters. The Rays finally signed a catcher, Ryan Hanigan from the Reds, which has been their biggest need for the last several years. What this lineup lacks in offensive firepower we see from their division foes aside from Evan Longoria. However, second-year outfielder Wil Myers is poised for a superb sophomore campaign.

2. Boston Red Sox

The loss of an integral part of their offense in Jacoby Ellsbury has overshadowed the return of relief pitchers Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan, both of which sat out all of last year due to season-ending injuries. The return of these two cannot be understated. What the Red Sox may have lost in offensive firepower was gained through the return of two valuable relievers that bolsters a strong bullpen. The question remains, however, and that is who will replace Ellsbury in centerfield? Grady Sizemore has undergone seven surgeries since 2009 and has not played a game in two years, but he has been tabbed as the man to open the season as the starter. Jackie Bradley Jr. is still waiting in the wings in Triple-A Pawtucket after only 50 career major league at-bats. Plus, David Ortiz has shown no signs of slowing down, as was predicted for the last several seasons.

3. Baltimore Orioles

This is a gutsy pick, I know. But no team in the major leagues has had the same success as the Orioles against the Red Sox and Yankees for the past five years. Now, with the addition of Ubaldo Jimenez to shore up the pitching rotation and adding Nelson Cruz to the lineup that hit the most homeruns in baseball last season (212), this may not only be the deepest Orioles lineup we’ve seen in a long time, but it may be one of the deepest lineups in the entire league. Not only does this team hit the ball with power, but they also start six players with at least one Gold Glove every night. The Orioles are going to surprise a lot of fans this year and the much anticipated return of Manny Machado will only help propel this team toward gaining a wildcard berth for October baseball.

4. New York Yankees

I may catch a lot of hell for this pick. How could anyone in their right mind pick a team to finish fourth after shelling out $454 million on five free agents? The Yankees might finish third in the division if they didn’t have the worst infield in baseball. Derek Jeter, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts, and Mark Teixeira round out the diamond, but until this team can prove they can stay healthy, there is no reason to believe that they will beat out the Orioles, Red Sox or Rays, though I do think the wildcard race will be close. The Yankees’ starting rotation is questionable at best with C.C. Sabathia coming off his worst season and Masahiro Tanaka is unproven.

5. Toronto Blue Jays

It’s hard to predict the future of a team that played only three games last season with a healthy roster; however, it is not hard to contextualize the matter and see that they will finish last among the beasts of the AL East. Simply put, the Jays’ rotation is no match for the firepower offenses of their division rivals, even with a healthy Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. This team was picked to win the division last year, so they should not be taken lightly. It is not that the Jays lack talent, but until they prove themselves, they will solidify their fortress at the back end of the AL East.