BATTING AROUND: Who’s the team to beat in the American League as 2024 MLB spring training opens?

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Throughout the offseason, CBS Sports MLB experts will bring you a weekly hitting roundtable on just about everything. Latest news, history question, thoughts on the future of baseball, all sorts of things. Last week we discussed the future of Matt Chapman. This week we will discuss the best team in the so-called junior circuit.

Who is the best team in the American League?

RJ Anderson: It’s a difficult question and has three or four defensible answers. At this point, though, I’ll go with the Astros. I have fewer questions about them than I do with the Rangers (rotation/health) or Yankees (rotation). Additionally, and I think this is the last year this will be true, I’m inclined to say I’d pick the Astros roster over the Orioles if we were just talking about the 2024 campaign.

Dane Perry: I probably would have been leaning toward the Astros before the Orioles traded ace Corbin Burns. Now I’m inclined to say Baltimore. Adding Burns is exactly what they needed given the dicey nature of the rotation. Pair that targeted hitting with what is considered one of the most potent offenses in baseball — with more help on the way from within the farm system — and I’d say the Orioles are at the top of the ring once again.

Matt Snyder: I had the Astros at three and the Orioles at four Power ratingsThis shows how close I am between these two teams at the moment. Probably the toss area. The Astros had a question about how thin their bullpen was, but signing Josh Hader helps alleviate some of those concerns. I don’t think Hunter Brown or Cristian Javier could be any worse this year in the rotation, so he’ll look like one of the best players in the league. Crime remains incredibly scary, too. As mentioned, I think the Orioles are right there.

And if you wanted me to pick someone outside of those two who could challenge — and everything should go well — I’d say the Yankees.

Mike Xissa: I’m leaning toward the Orioles over the Astros because I think their roster has more upside given all their outstanding young players. Justin Verlander’s shoulder is already barking The middle of the playing field seems unclear. The Corbin Burns trade moves Baltimore over the Astros for me, though I still think they’re close overall. The Rangers are the defending champions and deserve a mention here, although their current rotation is unclear. It strikes me as a team that could look even more dangerous in the postseason than it does now. Give me the Orioles slightly above the Astros, with the Rangers, Rays, and Yankees at the next level.

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