RH STARTER
Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)
It’s still hard to believe that Grady Little got fired for leaving this guy in with a trip to the World Series on the line.
NEXT IN LINE: Roy Halladay (Blue Jays) and Tim Hudson (A’s) Can’t leave either of them out.
COMING FAST: Joel Pineiro (Mariners) Especially tough at Safeco.
LH STARTER
Barry Zito (A’s)
His fastball doesn’t hit 90, but he has held opponents to a .219 batting average.
NEXT IN LINE: Mark Mulder (A’s) By an eyelash over Jamie Moyer.
COMING FAST: Johan Santana (Twins) 3.04 ERA last two seasons.
CLOSER
Mariano Rivera (Yankees)
He has averaged 40 saves in seven years as the Yankees’ ninth-inning man.
NEXT IN LINE: Troy Percival (Angels) Anchor for great bullpen.
COMING FAST: Damaso Marte (White Sox) All he needs is a chance.
LEFT FIELD
Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)
One of the best run-producers. He last played on a losing team in 1993, when he was a rookie.
NEXT IN LINE: Shannon Stewart (Twins) Had huge impact in ’03.
COMING FAST: Hideki Matsui (Yankees) Look for more power.
CENTER FIELD
Carlos Beltran (Royals)
He has become the AL’s answer to Andruw Jones. Look for a major bidding war next winter.
NEXT IN LINE: Garret Anderson (Angels) Moving back to old position.
COMING FAST: Vernon Wells (Blue Jays) Led majors with 215 hits in ’03.
RIGHT FIELD
Gary Sheffield (Yankees)
NEXT IN LINE: Vladimir Guerrero (Angels) His arm will thrill AL fans.
COMING FAST: Jody Gerut (Indians) Hit in No. 3 spot as rookie.
He’s a much better hitter than people appreciate. Witness his .401 on-base percentage and 10 straight years with more walks than whiffs.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Frank Thomas (White Sox)
Good years left as he builds on a solid 2003 and finishes off a Hall-of-Fame career.
NEXT IN LINE: Edgar Martinez (Mariners) Swinging bat too well to quit.
COMING FAST: Aubrey Huff (Devil Rays) Can play 1B, 3B and OF.
SHORTSTOP
Miguel Tejada (Orioles)
He’s no Cal Ripken Jr. in the field but will be a fearsome hitter at Camden Yards.
NEXT IN LINE: Derek Jeter (Yankees) He’s Mr. Clutch.
COMING FAST: Angel Berroa (Royals) Reigning AL Rookie of the Year.
FIRST BASE
Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays)
He’s averaged 124 RBIs over the last six years, including an AL-high 145 last year.
NEXT IN LINE: Jason Giambi (Yankees) Something to prove.
COMING FAST: Mark Teixeira (Rangers) Could wind up in the outfield.
SECOND BASE
Bret Boone (Mariners)
He’s an RBI machine and an excellent fielder. His numbers could be huge at another ballpark.
NEXT IN LINE: Alfonso Soriano (Rangers) Downgraded for selfishness.
COMING FAST: Adam Kennedy (Angels) Hey, it’s a weak position.
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)
How happy is he going to be away from shortstop? He might have outgrown the position in a few years, but he’s still the best.
NEXT IN LINE: Troy Glaus (Angels) Free agent after ’04.
COMING FAST: Hank Blalock (Rangers) All-Star homer no fluke.
CATCHER
Ivan Rodriguez (Tigers)
Imagine how good the Cubs would be looking if they had signed him.
NEXT IN LINE: Jorge Posada (Yankees) Career-high 101 RBIs in ’03.
COMING FAST: Joe Mauer (Twins) Has .330 average as pro.
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Coming Wednesday: National League
