As the season draws near, it’s time to look at how the Orioles stack up with the AL East at each position group.

There have been some sizable changes to the teams in the division, most notably the departure of Juan Soto from the Bronx. Leading off this mini-series will be the outfield group and how each team’s group ranks among the division.

1. New York Yankees

Despite Juan Soto jumping on the subway toward Queens, the Bronx Bombers still have a potent outfield.

Supplemented by the addition of former NL MVP Cody Bellinger, the Yankees outfield has a combination of certified superstars and former top prospects that are coming into their own.

Soto’s exit opens up the ability for Aaron Judge to move back to his usual spot in right field.

After earning his second MVP award and crushing 58 home runs in 2024, Judge looks to continue his dominance and push the bombers over the hump after falling short in October.

Judge is not alone in this group as the aforementioned Bellinger is joining the ranks presumably to patrol center field or man first base when Paul Goldschmidt needs a break.

Former top prospect Jasson Dominguez is also among the talented group at Yankee Stadium.

Trent Grisham may find himself in the fourth outfielder role, sparing the stars throughout the season. Despite not playing in the outfield during 2024, Giancarlo Stanton is another option when someone needs a day off.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Following a disappointing season, the Jays are looking to bounce back. With that comes the arrival of a new face in Anthony Santander.

Coming off a career year in 2024, Santander will bring some pop to the lineup in Toronto. Santander blasted 44 homers last season en route to his first career All Star appearance, bringing some needed protection to the heart of the order for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Santander joins a staunch group in Toronto that includes George Springer and Daulton Varsho. While Springer is beginning to regress from his All Star caliber production, he’s still a strong piece of the Jays’ outfield, providing veteran stability to the corner outfield positions.

FanGraphs projects that Springer will improve upon his 19 home runs from 2024 to 23 in 2025 while also having his slash line jump back up in a return to form season.

While Varsho came up as a catcher, he has yet to suit up behind the plate in Toronto. While that doesn’t leave him out of the question to spell Alejandro Kirk in 2025 it seems that the Jays like him more in the outfield.

Varsho is expected to continue to be a staple in center field for the Blue Jays in 2025.

Coming off a season in which he smacked 18 home runs and won a Gold Glove, Varsho is looking to build upon his strong season.

3. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles have had to make a big adjustment following the exit of Santander. There will be a new face in right field for the upcoming season, as we’ll expect to see Tyler O’Neill most often but Heston Kjerstad remains in the mix for playing time.

The outfield is crowded in Camden Yards leading into spring training.

Colton Cowser is expected to be in left field as he continues his exciting start to his major league career. Cowser finished in second place in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 and will continue to build upon his strong beginning. Also returning is veteran Cedric Mullins.

Mullins is entering a contract year and will look to be a strong piece of the puzzle.

The Orioles have also brought in two other options this offseason, signing Ramon Laureano and Dylan Carlson to contracts this winter.

Bringing in more depth to the outfield has raised some questions for fans, but both can be valuable options as a fifth outfielder if only one joins the major league club on Opening Day.

4. Boston Red Sox

The Orioles took one of the outfielders from the 2024 Red Sox and while there is a hole from Tyler O’Neill the Red Sox have some options to fill the void. Jarren Duran earned his first All Star nod in 2024, earning the MVP of the game. Duran also received votes for AL MVP. Duran is a budding star and is easily the best piece of the Red Sox puzzle.

Ceddanne Rafaela is set to return to the Red Sox starting lineup in the upcoming season along with Wilyer Abreu. Abreu and Rafaela both hit 15 home runs in the 2024 season. The Red Sox offensive capabilities certainly take a hit with O’Neill going to the Orioles.

The Red Sox are also inviting top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to camp and if he can make the team he can be a saving grace to this outfield. Masataka Yoshida while being an outfielder by trade has spent more time as the Red Sox designated hitter instead. Yoshida, Garcia and Duran make a for a fantastic trio in the outfield if Garcia lives up to the hype.

5. Tampa Bay Rays

The weakest outfield in the division resides in Tampa Bay. The Rays sent center fielder Jose Siri to the Mets over the winter and while he was an electric player when things were going well, Siri had an abysmal season. Hitting for a .187 average in 2024, the outfielder was a liability at the plate in most instances.

The Rays added Christopher Morel from the Cubs at the deadline last season and he finds himself in the projected starting lineup.

Jonny DeLuca and Josh Lowe are projected to fill out the rest of the Rays outfield come Opening Day. DeLuca hit .217 in 2024 and was a consistent piece in center field for the Rays down the stretch. Lowe dealt with injuries last year but looks to return to the 20 home run form that he flashed in 2023.

The Rays also have some depth with the likes of Richie Palacios and Eloy Jimenez, the latter of whom signed a minor league deal with the Rays over the winter.

Jimenez was once a top prospect but injuries have kept him off the field for much of his career, derailing what was once a promising young talent. If Jimenez can flash any of the talent in the spring or in the minors he may find his way bringing some power to the Rays.