The defending champion Yankees are returning nearly every key player from last season’s championship team.
The only question mark right now is free-agent slugger Johnny Damon, who remains unsigned and appears unlikely to be headed back to the Bronx Bombers.
After the World Series win, Damon told the Yankees he wanted to re-sign with the club – but only if it was for at least the $13 million he earned for the past four years. The Yankees balked and then signed first-baseman Nick Johnson and outfielder Randy Winn.
The odds for the Red Sox to win the Fall Classic may seem surprising, until you look at the number of significant moves the club has made during a busy off-season.
The Red Sox added outfielder Mike Cameron from the Milwaukee Brewers, and parted ways with outfielder Jason Bay, who signed a $66-million deal with the New York Mets. Boston also avoided arbitration issues by signing closer Jon Papelbon, as well as right-handed relievers Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez.
The Phillies have also made a number of changes after falling to the Yankees in six games in last fall’s World Series. And there’s no bigger than the acquisition of Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.
The top six hitters in the line-up remain the same: Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez.
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