The Angels’ ultraimpressive run through the playoffs was made by a team as sound as any, including the Yankees. They were fourth in the majors in runs scored while allowing the fewest in the American League. Anaheim returns 23 players from the World Series, with reserves Orlando Palmeiro and Alex Ochoa the only castoffs. This lack of activity is striking in the AL West, where every other team has a new manager.
While the Yankees have more new faces than usual, the finances and stubbornness of George Steinbrenner give Boston little room for optimism in the East.
The Central shapes up as a two-team race between champion Minnesota and the improved White Sox.
West
Athletics
Last year: 103-59, lost to Minnesota in the first round
Manager: Ken Macha
Key additions: RHP Keith Foulke, DH Erubiel Durazo.
Key losses: RHP Billy Koch, RHP Cory Lidle, LF David Justice, DH Ray Durham.
Big question: If contract negotiations during spring training with AL MVP Miguel Tejada lead nowhere, GM Billy Beane might listen to trade offers.
Angels
Last year: 99-63, won wild card, beat New York in the first round, Twins in ALCS and Giants in the World Series
Manager: Mike Scioscia
Key additions: None
Key losses: None
Big question: There aren’t many spots on a team returning intact, but Aaron Sele’s recovery from rotator-cuff surgery could open a spot in the rotation to competition.
Mariners
Last year: 93-69
Manager: Bob Melvin
Key additions: OF Randy Winn
Key losses: INF Desi Relaford
Big question: This is one old team, health is a big issue.
Rangers
Last year: 72-90
Manager: Buck Showalter
Key additions: RHP Ugueth Urbina, RHP John Thomson, RHP Ismael Valdes, RHP Esteban Yan, C Einar Diaz
Key losses: C Ivan Rodriguez, LHP Kenny Rogers
Big question: Can Chan Ho Park make the adjustments to succeed in the AL? If not, his signing will haunt Texas for four more years.
Central
Twins
Last year: 94-67, defeated Oakland in first round, lost to Anaheim in ALCS.
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
Key additions: None
Key losses: DH David Ortiz, RHP Mike Jackson
Big question: Can Brad Radke, Eric Milton and Joe Mays–the guts of the starting rotation–assert themselves to take the pressure off the bullpen?
White Sox
Last year: 81-81
Manager: Jerry Manuel
Key additions: RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Billy Koch, RHP Tom Gordon
Key losses: RHP Keith Foulke, RHP Antonio Osuna
Big question: Can Manuel establish order up the middle? The Sox project changes at second base (D’Angelo Jimenez), shortstop (Jose Valentin), center field (Aaron Rowand) and catcher (Miguel Olivo) from Opening Day a year ago.
Indians
Last year: 74-88
Manager: Eric Wedge
Key addition: 1B Travis Hafner
Key losses: 1B Jim Thome, 3B Travis Fryman,
C Einar Diaz
Big question: How many rookies will be in the Opening Day rotation? C.C. Sabathia could be the only veteran.
Royals
Last year: 62-100
Manager: Tony Pena
Key additions: None
Key losses: RHP Paul Byrd,
RHP Jeff Suppan,
RHP Roberto Hernandez
Big question: Can GM Allard Baird make a good trade for CF Carlos Beltran? He’s two years from free agency, which should help his value, and the Royals must get starting pitching.
Tigers
Last year: 55-106
Manager: Alan Trammell
Key additions: None
Key losses: LHP Mark Redman, RHP Juan Acevedo, RF-DH Robert Fick, 1B Randall Simon
Big question: How much difference can Trammell and a coaching staff that includes Kirk Gibson make?
East
Yankees
Last year: 103-58, lost to Anaheim in first round
Manager: Joe Torre
Key additions: LF Hideki Matsui, DH Todd Zeile, RHP Jose Contreras, RHP Antonio Osuna
Key losses: LHP Mike Stanton, RHP Ramiro Mendoza, RHP Orlando Hernandez
Big question: Who will be the odd man out in the starting rotation, Jeff Weaver or Contreras?
Red Sox
Last year: 93-69
Manager: Grady Little
Key additions: RHP Ramiro Mendoza, 2B Todd Walker, 1B David Ortiz, DH Jeremy Giambi, LHP Alan Embree
Key losses: RHP Ugueth Urbina, OF Cliff Floyd, 1B Brian Daubach
Big question: Will Pedro Martinez’s impending free agency be a major distraction? He says he’ll definitely test the market if his 2004 option isn’t picked up by Opening Day, but the Red Sox aren’t inclined to move quickly.
Blue Jays
Last year: 78-84
Manager: Carlos Tosca
Key additions: RHP Cory Lidle,
RHP Tanyon Sturtze,
RF Frank Catalanotto
Key losses: RF Jose Cruz Jr.
Big question: Is J.P. Ricciardi done dealing? Scouts say he continues to shop closer Kelvim Escobar and second baseman Orlando Hudson (which could open a spot for rookie Jayson Werth).
Orioles
Last year: 67-95
Manager: Mike Hargrove
Key additions: LHP Omar Daal, SS Deivi Cruz, RHP Kerry Ligtenberg
Key loss: SS Mike Bordick, CF Chris Singleton
Big question: Do Tommy John surgery survivors Scott Erickson and Pat Hentgen have anything left? The front end of the rotation looks OK with Rodrigo Lopez, Sidney Ponson and Daal.
