Ah, spring has sprung (except in the Northeast portion of the United States). That means baseball is almost back, officially. With the season just a couple of weeks away, it's time to preview the MLB teams, division by division.

Today, we'll examine the Al East. One of the biggest offseason moves in baseball came from the division's presumptive favorite. Meanwhile, another team began mortgaging their present to focus on the future.

Let's start at the bottom of the 2018 AL East.

5. Tampa Bay Rays

It was an offseason of loss for Tampa Bay. First, they traded longtime franchise cornerstone Evan Longoria to the San Francisco Giants. Corey Dickerson and Jake Odorizzi were shown the door as well. If Chris Archer is shown the door, average fans won't be able to name a single player on the team. They're also trying a four-man rotation this year (with the fifth starter consisting of a bullpen mix), so that should be...different. They should finish last in the AL East.

4. Baltimore Orioles

Does Baltimore want to rebuild or contend? That question will define their direction this season.

The team is reportedly on the verge of signing Alex Cobb, suggesting they want to go in the latter direction. Baltimore still has some of the league's best mashers in Chris Davis (when healthy), Mark Trumbo, and Manny Machado. If the pitching staff can't keep it together, however, the AL East team could lead a sell-off at the trade deadline.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

Last year was a disappointment for the league's lone team north of the border. After two straight postseason appearances, the Blue Jays finished ten games under .500. Troy Tulowitzki is already hurt to begin the year, but the lineup still has plenty of pizzazz. Their pitching rotation can be tops in the AL East, with Marcus Stroman leading the pack and Aaron Sanchez emerging as a stealth ace.

Josh Donaldson's contract situation will loom over the season.

2. Boston Red Sox

It took longer than expected, but Boston got their man in J.D. Martinez, who should bat clean-up for the team. With Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, and the other young guns, the lineup should be a potent one. All eyes will be on David Price in the rotation. If he's healthy - and not a distraction off the field - the Red Sox could take the AL East.

1. New York Yankees

The Bronx Bombers are looking more explosive than ever before. Because Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge weren't enough, the Yankees made the splash of the offseason and traded for Giancarlo Stanton. Good luck, opposing pitchers! The rotation is also stealthy good, with Luis Severino emerging as an ace and Sonny Gray penciled in as the fourth starter. Aaron Boone enters his first season as a major league manager; he holds the key to an AL East crown, and beyond.