A look at AL East outfields

So how do the Orioles rank against the rest of the American League East in terms of outfield play?

They have an All-Star in Adam Jones and some questions after that. They are trying to replace Nick Markakis, who started 147 games in right field, and Nelson Cruz, who had 60 starts in left field when he was not serving as the O's designated hitter.

Here is a look at players that are expected to see time in the outfield around the division. Of course, playing time is subject to change, but these are players on the depth chart right now.

With each player, I've listed these stats in order from last year: batting average, OBP, slugging, OPS, homers and RBIs.

Boston

* Hanley Ramirez: .283/.369/.448, .817 OPS, 13 homers, 71 RBIs
* Rusney Castillo: .333/.400/.528, .928 OPS, two homers, six RBIs
* Shane Victorino: .268/.303/.382, .685 OPS, two homers, 12 RBIs
* Mookie Betts: .291/.368/.444, .812 OPS, five homers, 18 RBIs

After he was limited to 86 and 128 games the last two years, the Red Sox need Ramirez to stay on the field as he moves to the outfield for the first time in the majors. Castillo suffered a strained oblique Tuesday and will miss at least seven days. He is competing with Betts to start in center. Victorino returns from back surgery and a return to his 2013 form would be a big lift for Boston. This club has some of the best outfield depth in the majors with Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Brock Holt and Jackie Bradley Jr. also in the mix. A trade of surplus outfielders is possible.

New York

* Jacoby Ellsbury: .271/.328/.419, .747 OPS, 16 homers, 70 RBIs
* Brett Gardner: .256/.327/.422, .749 OPS, 17 homers, 58 RBIs
* Carlos Beltran: .233/.301/.402, .703 OPS, 15 homers, 49 RBIs
* Chris Young: .222/.299/.385, .683 OPS, 11 homers, 38 RBIs

This is an expensive outfield, as Ellsbury, Gardner and Beltran will earn a combined $48 million this year. After signing Ellsbury to a seven-year, $153 million deal in December 2013, the Yankees hope he can regain the form he showed during his huge 2011 with Boston, which produced a .928 OPS. Ellsbury has three seasons of 50 or more steals. At 37, Beltran's offense fell off last year and he dealt with nagging injuries. Young provided a late-season lift with an .876 OPS in 23 games with the Yankees.

Tampa Bay

* Desmond Jennings: .244/.319/.378, .697 OPS, 10 homers, 36 RBIs
* Kevin Kiermaier: .263/.315/.450, .765 OPS, 10 homers, 35 RBIs
* David DeJesus: .248/.344/.403, .748 OPS, six homers, 19 RBIs
* Steven Souza: .130/.231/.391, .622 OPS, two homers, two RBIs

The Rays keep hoping Jennings will live up to his vast potential. Maybe now at 28 is the time. Kiermaier provided a lift at times last year and DeJesus produced a .748 OPS in 83 games. Souza is a young player with promise at age 25. He produced a 1.022 OPS in the International League for the Nationals last year and was acquired by Tampa Bay in a three-team trade that also involved San Diego in December.

Toronto

* Jose Bautista: .286/.403/.524, .928 OPS, 35 homers, 103 RBIs
* Kevin Pillar: .267/.295/.397, .692 OPS, two homers, seven RBIs
* Dalton Pompey: .231/.302/.436, .738 OPS, one homer, four RBIs
* Steve Tolleson: .253/.308/.371, .679 OPS, three homers, 16 RBIs

The Blue Jays outfield took a hit recently when left fielder Michael Saunders suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. He will be out until the All-Star break. But they can count on Bautista, an All-Star in five straight seasons who hit a combined 97 homers from 2010-11. Former Oriole Tolleson is still hanging around while Pompey is a promising youngster. Pompey, a 22-year-old switch-hitter, played at four levels last year, starting at high Single-A and ending in the majors. He is considered a premium defender and stole 43 bases in the minors last season.

Orioles

* Adam Jones: .281/.311/.469, .780 OPS, 29 homers, 96 RBIs
* Alejandro De Aza: .252/.314/.386, .700 OPS, eight homers, 41 RBIs
* Steve Pearce: .293/.373/.559, .930 OPS, 21 homers, 49 RBIs
* Travis Snider: .264/.338/.438, .776, 13 homers, 38 RBIs

We are probably in for another year where Jones' critics pounce every time he chases a pitch, but at the end of the year he'll again post very solid All-Star caliber numbers. Can Pearce follow up his huge 2014 season? We'll all wait to find out that answer. De Aza's stats from his 20 games as an Oriole were .293/.341/.537 with three homers and 10 RBIs. He hit just .243 with the White Sox, but may have a big chance to impact this team atop the batting order. His career .330 OBP looks good on this club. The O's would probably be happy to see Snider duplicate the stats he posted last year with Pittsburgh.

David Lough wants to prove to the club that his strong finish to 2014 was legit and that he can do it again if given a chance. Nolan Reimold is a longshot to make the club, but at least he's got a shot. Henry Urrutia and Dariel Alvarez are waiting in the wings for a chance to show their stuff.

How does the Orioles outfield compare to the rest of the AL East?

Earlier, in this story,we took a look at AL East rotations.