Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz told the Boston Globe on Thursday that he feels the Yankees are the team to beat in the American League East after New York added Giancarlo Stanton to an already loaded lineup.
"They pretty much stacked the lineup with more power," he said. "I don't think anyone else in the division can compete with that."
Ortiz hit 541 home runs and was a 10-time All-Star during a 20-year MLB career. He spent 14 seasons with the Red Sox, helping lead the franchise to three World Series titles, including its first in 86 years in 2004. That postseason, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, leading Boston to a seven-game victory after it was down 3-0 in the series.

Ortiz was also an integral part of the 2007 and '13 World Series champion Red Sox, being named MVP of the 2013 World Series against the Cardinals.
Ortiz added that he is encouraged by Boston's signing of J.D. Martinez, who hit 45 homers between the Tigers and D-backs last season. Ortiz also said he thinks the Red Sox are still in a good position in a tough division, as "the one team that, as an underdog, is going to be out there exceeding expectations more than usual."