We’ve come to expect that even though the Yankees have been historically on top, there’s no denying that in today’s post-Bambino world, the Yankees and Red Sox are two of the most popular and important franchises in North American sports. Even though the Red Sox have been the dominant franchise the past few years, everyone generally expects the two teams to be neck-and-neck. That probably won’t be the case this year.
The Red Sox, with the acquisition of Chris Sale, are likely the best team in the American League. My back-of-the-napkin math has this: Chris Sale and David Price are likely worth about ten wins combined, and Rick Porcello likely regresses to a decent number-two; Mookie Betts is a perennial MVP candidate; Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, and Jackie Bradley Jr.