AL STARTER 1
David Price
One of the most-moved starters of the last three years, lefty David Price has been involved in one offseason trade, two midseason deals, and now one blockbuster free agent signing in that span. He's also made the playoffs with his last three teams, so he's proven that he can help good teams go far. The Red Sox were not a good team last year, despite making plenty of pitching moves last offseason, but what they didn't acquire was a bona fide staff ace. That has changed for at least the next two years, when Price can trigger an opt-out clause and hit the open market again at age 32. Until then, he'll be surrounded by some question marks in the rotation, but a top-flight bullpen presence (see below).
AL STARTER 2
Jordan Zimmermann
The Tigers, on the other hand, are hoping that newcomer Jordan Zimmermann will play second fiddle to incumbent ace Justin Verlander, because that would mean that Verlander has regained the elite status he had three to four years ago. Whether or not that happens, Zimmermann will provide a top of the rotation presence to a team that already has many of the pieces necessary for contention. One thing is certain: with all the activity going on in the AL Central this offseason, the Royals will not be able to rest on their laurels if they want a chance to defend their title next year.
AL STARTER 3
J.A. Happ
When the Blue Jays signed J.A. Happ to a three-year deal this offseason, they must have been paying more attention to his production after being traded to the Pirates at last year's trade deadline, where he turned in a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts. However, given that Happ pitched for the Blue Jays from 2012-14, the club should know that the 4.39 ERA he averaged with the club is closer to his career average. Either way, given that he's currently slated behind Marcus Stroman, R.A. Dickey, and Marco Estrada in Toronto's rotation, he won't have to pitch like an ace for this deal to be effective.
AL STARTER 4
Nathan Karns
The trade for Karns will be remembered as the first domino to fall in Jerry Dipoto's complete remake of the Seattle Mariners. Seattle didn't give up too many irreplaceable pieces to get him, but after just one full season under his belt, it's really not all that clear what they're getting.
AL STARTER 5
Wade Miley
As if to hedge their bets against the uncertainty of acquiring a rookie starter, Seattle turned around and picked up the veteran lefty Miley, one of the many above-mentioned rotation additions made by the Red Sox last offseason. He doesn't have lights-out stuff, but he's durable and reliable, and I'm sure he'll enjoy playing his home games in the pitcher's haven that is Safeco Field.
AL STARTER HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jesse Chavez
Roenis Elias
Rich Hill
AL CLOSER
Craig Kimbrel
Those of you who watched my 2015 All-Acquired simulation videos I made using MLB 14: The Show will remember not seeing Kimbrel as a member of the NL team because he was acquired by the Padres with just seconds left in the offseason, far too late for him to be a part of my calculations. But the fact that he'll soon play for his third team in three years shouldn't take away from his status as perhaps the most elite closer in the game right now, as evidenced by the boatload of prospects Boston gave up to acquire him.
AL RELIEVER 2
Ken Giles
Speaking of a boatload of prospects, the Astros sent a big one to Philadelphia to acquire Giles, which is why I put him in front of some more established relievers on this list. This guy has the stuff to put up a monster season spending his first full year as a closer and playing for a winning team to boot. Plus he's only 25 years old, so he even has some room for improvement, which is scary given his 1.56 career ERA in 115 innings.
AL RELIEVER 3
Francisco Rodriguez
This is the more established reliever I was talking about above. It seems like his name has been connected with Detroit for years, and now he's finally going to give them the 9th inning force they've so long desired. At age 33 and with 14 seasons under his belt, it's not certain how much longer he'll choose to continue playing, but he hasn't shown much signs of slowing down over the years, so he could have plenty of suitors next year if the Tigers choose not to exercise his option for 2017.
AL RELIEVER HONORABLE MENTIONS
Joakim Soria
Darren O'Day
Carson Smith
John Axford
Joaquin Benoit
Ryan Madson
Tom Wilhelmsen
Liam Hendriks
Justin Wilson
Mark Lowe
Tony Sipp
No position has had more attention paid to it than relief pitching in the American League, with enough quality arms in this group to fill the bullpens of several teams. None of these pitchers are projected to close in 2016, but about half of them have closed before, giving you an idea of just how strong this group is.
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