ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 02: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on August 2, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
As the MLB season begins, I want to take a look at the biggest key to each teams success this season. So here is one key for every American League team as the season starts:
Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles gets a lead-off hit in the first inning during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Adley needs to get back to being one of the best offensive catchers in the game.
Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on the go ahead RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Devers has to be willing to DH all season and let the Red Sox use Bregman at 3B and Casas at 1B.
New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
This is pretty obvious. Keep your captain and the reigning MVP happy. Without him, your offense is doomed.
Tampa Bay Rays
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Junior Caminero #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays at bat during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
Caminero needs to be in the running for AL Rookie of the Year and be a driving force in the offense.
Toronto Blue Jays
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 3, 2023 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Trade Vlad and get a haul before you lose him for nothing in free agency.
Detroit Tigers
Your young hitters need to take the next step forward in their development.
Cleveland Guardians
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 29: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after the Guardians beat the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on March 29, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Clase needs to be lights out once again and help Cleveland have the league’s best bullpen.
Minnesota Twins
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 04: Royce Lewis #23 of the Minnesota Twins hits a grand slam off Lucas Giolito #27 of the Cleveland Guardians during the second inning at Progressive Field on September 04, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Get Royce Lewis back and do whatever you can to keep him healthy.
Kansas City Royals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 20: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals hits an infield single during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium on April 20, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Bobby Witt Jr. needs to be as good, or even better than he was in 2024.
Chicago White Sox
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run in the third inning against the New York Yankees during game one of a double header at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Luis Robert needs to get off to a strong start and then you have to trade him for as much young talent as possible.
Los Angeles Angels
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Get 120 or more games played from Mike Trout.
Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run against Aroldis Chapman #45 of the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning in Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Yordan needs to have an MVP season to make up for the loss of Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman.
Texas Rangers
Keep your starting pitchers healthy!!
Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 28: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run with the trident prop during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on September 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Julio can’t start slow. He needs to hit right away and be consistent all year long.
Athletics
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on October 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Brent Rooker has to be one of the best power hitters in the league.
