How Will The O's Stack Up This Season?

SARASOTA, Fla. (WJZ) -- The Orioles are expected to be better this season but that may not be enough.

Mark Viviano has a look at how the Orioles will stack up in the tough American League East.

There is optimism in Sarasota about what is new for the Orioles.  But the team's biggest challenge remains overcoming a circumstance that remains the same.

New to the equation is the leadership of manager Buck Showalter in his first spring training with the team.   But can what is new overcome what hasn't changed?  The Orioles still play in a tough league with the Red Sox and the Yankees.  Yes, the O's appear to be better but are they good enough to contend?

"It's about the Baltimore Orioles.  What can we do?  Those things kind of take care of themselves if you keep your mind focused on what we have to do," Showalter said.

"The East is arguably the toughest division," said Adam Jones. 

Tough teams, but the same tall challenge: climbing the mountain that is the American League East.  The journey begins in Sarasota.