A capsule look at the American League, with teams listed in order of finish last year:

AL East

New York Yankees

2001: 95-65, 1st place, AL champions.

Manager: Joe Torre (7th season).

Reaching Base: .334 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: LH Mike Stanton (9-4, 2.58 ERA, 76 games) and RH Steve Karsay (3-5, 2.35, 74 games).

He’s Here: 1B Jason Giambi, 3B Robin Ventura, OF Rondell White, LHP David Wells, OF John Vander Wal, RHP Steve Karsay, INF F.P. Santangelo, C Alberto Castillo.

He’s Outta Here: OF Paul O’Neill, 1B Tino Martinez, 3B Scott Brosius, OF Chuck Knoblauch, OF David Justice, RHP Jay Witasick, RHP Mark Wohlers, INF Randy Velarde, INF Clay Bellinger, C Todd Greene.

Projected Lineup: 2B Alfonso Soriano (.268, 18 HRs, 73 RBIs, 43 SBs, .304 OBP), SS Derek Jeter (.311, 21, 74, 110 runs, 27 SBs, .377 OBP), 1B Jason Giambi (.342, 38, 120, 109 runs, 129 BBs, .477 OBP), CF Bernie Williams (.307, 26, 94, 102 runs, .395 OBP), C Jorge Posada (.277, 22, 95, .363 OBP), LF Rondell White (.307, 17, 50, .371 OBP), DH Nick Johnson (.256, 18, 49, .407 OBP at Triple-A), 3B Robin Ventura (.237, 21, 61, .359 OBP), RF Shane Spencer (.258, 10, 46, .315 OBP).

Rotation: RH Roger Clemens (20-3, 3.51, 213 Ks, Cy Young), RH Mike Mussina (17-11, 3.15, 214 Ks), LH Andy Pettitte (15-10, 3.99), LH David Wells (5-7, 4.47), RH Orlando Hernandez (4-7, 4.85).

Closer: RH Mariano Rivera (4-6, 2.34, 50/57 saves).

Hot Spot: With Knoblauch gone, Torre will have to find a new leadoff man. Jeter, who batted .324 with five homers in 26 games at the top of the lineup, will get the first crack. Soriano also could get a shot.

Stat Sheet: Other than Clemens, Mussina and Pettitte, no Yankees starter won more than four games last season. The also-rans went 12-24 with a 5.96 ERA.

Bottom Line: Minutes after losing Game 7 of the World Series, owner George Steinbrenner was vowing that the Yankees would return to the top. He backed up his bravado with money, committing more than $171 million in free-agent deals, including $120 million to Giambi. While The Boss was impatient, GM Brian Cashman focused on improving the team’s patience. New York’s on-base percentage fell 28 points from 1998 to 2001. But Giambi, who led the AL in OBP, as well as Ventura, White and Johnson should boost the offense and keep New York on top in the AL East for the fifth straight year.

Boston Red Sox

2001: 82-79, 2nd place, AL East.

Manager: Grady Little (1st season).

Reaching Base: .334 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Rich Garces (6-1, 3.90 ERA, 62 games) and RH Tim Wakefield (9-12, 3.90, 45 games).

He’s Here: CF Johnny Damon, LF-DH Rickey Henderson, RHP John Burkett, RHP Dustin Hermanson, 1B Tony Clark, 2B Rey Sanchez, 3B Carlos Baerga, LHP Darren Oliver.

He’s Outta Here: CF Carl Everett, 3B John Valentin, LF Dante Bichette, LF Troy O’Leary, 2B Chris Stynes, SS Mike Lansing, OF Darren Lewis, C Scott Hatteberg, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP David Cone, RHP Rod Beck.

Projected Lineup: DH Rickey Henderson (.227, 8, 42, 25 SBs, .366 OBP), CF Johnny Damon (,256, 9, 49, 108 runs, 27 SBs, .324 OBP), SS Nomar Garciaparra (.289, 4, 8, .352 OBP in 83 ABs), LF Manny Ramirez (.306, 41, 125, .405 OBP), 1B Tony Clark (,287, 16, 75, .374 OBP), RF Trot Nixon (.280, 27, 88, 100 runs, .376 OBP), C Jason Varitek (.293, 7, 25, .371 OBP), 3B Shea Hillenbrand (.263, 12, 49, .291 OBP), 2B Jose Offerman (.267, 9, 49, .342 OBP).

Rotation: RH Pedro Martinez (7-3, 2.39), RH John Burkett (12-12, 3.04), RH Dustin Hermanson (14-13, 4.45), RH Derek Lowe (5-10, 3.33, 24 saves), RH Frank Castillo (10-9, 4.21).

Closer: RH Ugueth Urbina (2-2. 4.59 24/28 saves).

Hot Spot: Henderson’s strong spring gives the Red Sox one of the best, if not the best, leadoff men in baseball history. And when he doesn’t play, another outstanding leadoff hitter, Damon, will move up from the second spot in the order. Both were added in the offseason as part of Boston’s effort to upgrade its weak running game.

Stat Sheet: Garciaparra, one of baseball’s best hitters, played just 21 games last year, and Varitek, a hard-nosed team leader, was limited to 51 because of injuries. Both are healthy, as is Martinez, who didn’t win a game after May as he battled shoulder problems.

Bottom Line: The Red Sox enter the season an improved team with perhaps the greatest makeover in club history after clubhouse turmoil and on-field ineptitude marred the last six weeks of last season. Joe Kerrigan, promoted from pitching coach to his first pro managing job when Jimy Williams was fired Aug. 16, led Boston to a 17-26 record in its last 43 games. In the offseason, the Red Sox added speed and character by acquiring Damon, Henderson, Clark and Burkett. A group led by John Henry took over ownership from the Yawkey Trust, general manager Dan Duquette was fired and replaced on an interim basis by Mike Port, and Kerrigan was fired and replaced by Little. The Red Sox also have three key players back healthy. Garciaparra, Varitek and Martinez all missed substantial portions of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

2001: 80-82, 3rd place, AL East.

Manager: Buck Martinez (2nd season).

Reaching Base: .325 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: LH Dan Plesac (4-5, 3.57, 62 games) and RH Bob File (5-3, 3.27, 60 games).

He’s Here: 3B Eric Hinske, RHP Luke Prokopec, RHP Brian Cooper, LHP Felix Heredia.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Billy Koch, RHP Paul Quantrill, SS Alex Gonzalez, DH Brad Fullmer, INF Tony Fernandez, INF Cesar Izturis, INF Luis Lopez, C Alberto Castillo.

Projected Lineup: DH Shannon Stewart (.316, 12, 60, 27 SBs, .371 OBP), 2B Homer Bush (.306, 3, 27, .336 OPB), RF Raul Mondesi (.252, 27, 84, 30 SBs, .342 OPB), 1B Carlos Delgado (.279, 39, 102, .408 OBP), CF Jose Cruz Jr. (.274, 34, 88, 32 SBs, .326 OBP), 3B Eric Hinske (.282, 25, 79 at Triple-A), C Darrin Fletcher (.226, 11, 56, .274 OBP), LF Vernon Wells (.313, 1, 6, .350 OBP), SS Felipe Lopez (.260, 5, 23, .304 OBP).

Rotation: RH Chris Carpenter (11-11, 4.09), RH Luke Prokopec (8-7, 4.88), RH Roy Halladay (5-3, 3.16), RH Brandon Lyon (5-4, 4.29), LH Scott Eyre (1-2, 3.45 in relief).

Closer: RH Kelvim Escobar (6-8, 3.50, 0 saves)

Hot Spot: Bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen during his time in Toronto, Escobar returns to the closer’s role after Billy Koch was traded to Oakland. He made 11 starts last year and 48 relief appearances. Escobar throws hard enough for the job, provided he stays healthy.

Stat Sheet: Toronto’s win total has dropped three straight years for the first time in team history. At least the Blue Jays are consistent in one respect they’ve finished in third place for four years in a row.

Bottom Line: New GM J.P. Ricciardi is trying to make the most of a tough situation. Pitchers Mike Sirotka, who missed all of last year, Esteban Loaiza and Steve Parris may start the season on the disabled list. Hinske, Wells and Lopez are young and could feel the pressure of playing every day. Martinez definitely has a team in transition.

Baltimore Orioles

2001: 63-98, 4th place, AL East.

Manager: Mike Hargrove (3rd season).

Reaching Base: .319 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: LH Buddy Groom (1-4, 3.55, 70 games) and LH B.J. Ryan (2-4, 4.25, 61 games).

He’s Here: CF Chris Singleton, LF Marty Cordova.

He’s Outta Here: 3B Cal Ripken, OF Brady Anderson, RHP John Wasdin, RHP Ryan Kohlmeier, RHP Jose Mercedes, RHP Chad Paronto.

Projected Lineup: 2B Jerry Hairston (.233, 8, 47, 29 SBs, .305 OBP), CF Chris Singleton (.298, 7, 45, .331 OBP), DH David Segui (.301, 10, 46, .406 OBP), 1B Jeff Conine (.311, 14, 97, .386 OBP), RF Jay Gibbons (.236, 15, 36, .301 OBP), 3B Tony Batista (.266, 12, 42, .305 OBP), LF Marty Cordova (.301, 20, 69, .348 OBP), C Brook Fordyce (.209, 5, 19, .268 OBP), SS Mike Bordick (.249, 7, 30, .314 OBP).

Rotation: RH Scott Erickson (injured last year 5-8, 7.87 in 2000), RH Sidney Ponson (5-10, 4.94), RH Jason Johnson (10-12, 4.09), RH Josh Towers (8-10, 4.49), Calvin Maduro (5-6, 4.23).

Closer: RH Willis Roberts (9-10, 4.91, 6/10 saves).

Hot Spot: Batista steps in for Cal Ripken, who retired in October after spending the better part of 20 years in the Baltimore infield. Batista learned what it was like playing for the Iron Man last season he was booed on those rare days when Ripken took a day off from his retirement tour.

Stat Sheet: Conine was the only player in a Baltimore uniform to hit 20 homers last season. The punchless Orioles were second-to-last in the majors in home runs, outslugging only Tampa Bay.

Bottom Line: The Orioles aren’t going to challenge the front-runners in the AL East, and they have virtually no shot at earning a wild-card berth. Their biggest challenge might be avoiding last place. If nothing else, the team hopes to advance a rebuilding phase that has lowered a once-lofty payroll but produced a club-record run of four straight losing seasons.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2001: 62-100, 5th place, AL East.

Manager: Hal McRae (2nd season).

Reaching Base: .320 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Travis Phelps (2-2, 3.48, 49 games) and LH Doug Creek (2-5, 4.31, 66 games).

He’s Here: No one.

He’s Outta Here: OF Jose Guillen, RHP Bryan Rekar, RHP Dan Wheeler, RHP Mickey Callaway, LHP Jeff Wallace.

Projected Lineup: LF Jason Tyner (.280, 0, 21, 31 SBs, .311 OBP), 2B Brent Abernathy (.270, 5, 33, .328 OBP), RF Ben Grieve (.264, 11, 72, .372 OBP), DH Greg Vaughn (.233, 24, 82, .333 OBP), C Toby Hall (.298, 4, 30, .321 OBP), 1B Steve Cox (.257, 12, 51, .323 OBP), CF Randy Winn (.273, 6, 50, .339 OBP), 3B Russ Johnson (.294, 4, 33, .380), SS Chris Gomez (.302, 8, 36, .332 OBP). Rotation: RH Tanyon Sturtze (11-12, 4.42), RH Paul Wilson (8-9, 4.88), LH Joe Kennedy (7-8, 4.44), RH Ryan Rupe (5-12, 6.59, 123 Ks), LH Wilson Alvarez (did not play last two seasons).

Closer: RH Esteban Yan (4-6, 3.90, 22/31 saves).

Hot Spot: Devil Rays have recommitted to building with young players and would like to move Vaughn and his $8.75 million salary in exchange for more prospects. That will be easier if the often-injured, 36-year-old OF/DH is healthy and gets off to a productive start.

Stat Sheet: Devil Rays pitchers have gone a major league record 152 games without a complete game. Last year, they joined the 1995 Colorado Rockies as the only teams to throw just one CG in a season.

Bottom Line: Escaping the AL East cellar will be difficult with one of the youngest rosters in the majors. Tampa Bay didn’t add a significant player from outside the organization. Pitching figures to be the club’s strength and, along with last year’s 35-39 record after the All-Star break, gives McRae hope for a .500 season. It will help if Alvarez is healthy and contributes after missing the past two seasons with shoulder problems.

AL Central

Cleveland Indians

2001: 91-71, 1st place AL Central, lost first round of playoffs to Seattle.

Manager: Charlie Manuel (3rd season).

Reaching Base: .350 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Paul Shuey (5-3, 2.82, 47 games, 70 Ks in 54 1-3 innings) and LH Ricardo Rincon (2-1, 2.83, 67 games). He’s Here: RF Matt Lawton, 2B Ricky Gutierrez, OF Brady Anderson, INF Mike Lansing, RHP Mark Wohlers, RHP Omar Olivares, C Eddie Perez.

He’s Outta Here: 2B Roberto Alomar, RF Juan Gonzalez, CF Kenny Lofton, LHP John Rocker, OF Marty Cordova, RHP Dave Burba, RHP Steve Woodard.

Projected Lineup: RF Matt Lawton (.277, 13, 64, 29 SBs, .382 OBP), 2B Ricky Gutierrez (.290, 10, 66, .345 OBP), DH Ellis Burks (.280, 28, 74 in 124 games, .369 OBP), 1B Jim Thome (.291, 49, 124, 185 Ks, 111 BBs, .416 OBP), 3B Travis Fryman (.263, 3, 38, .327 OBP), LF Russell Branyan (.232, 20, 54, 132 Ks in 315 ABs, .316 OBP), SS Omar Vizquel (.255, 2, 50, 13 SBs, .323 OBP), C Einar Diaz (.277, 4, 56, .328 OBP), CF Brady Anderson (.202, 8, 45, .311 OBP) or Milton Bradley (31 SBs in majors/minors).

Rotation: RH Bartolo Colon (14-12, 4.09, 201 Ks), LH C.C. Sabathia (17-5, 4.39, AL Rookie runner-up), RH Danys Baez (5-3, 2.50, all 50 1-3 innings in relief), LH Chuck Finley (8-7, 5.54, career-low 113 2-3 innings), RH Ryan Drese (1-2, 3.44, 4 starts).

Closer: RH Bob Wickman (5-0, 2.39, 32/35 saves).

Hot Spot: Rookie GM Mark Shapiro. His decision to trade Alomar to the New York Mets was viewed as a disaster by many Indians fans, who aren’t scooping up tickets the way they normally do. With Gonzalez gone, Thome and Burks will be counted on to drive in more runs.

Stat Sheet: Lawton hammered the Indians while with Minnesota, batting .324 with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 204 at-bats against Cleveland. Had a career-high six-RBI game at Jacobs Field in ’99.

Bottom Line: The Indians have abandoned their bash ’em and beat ’em philosophy, emphasizing pitching and defense. That’s fine, as long as the pitching comes through. Moving Baez to the rotation weakens the bullpen, and young RHPs David Riske and Drese will need to have big seasons. Tribe is still good enough to win the Central, but if vets don’t stay healthy and kids are slow developing, they could slide to the middle of the pack.

Minnesota Twins

2001: 85-77, 2nd place, AL Central.

Manager: Ron Gardenhire (1st season).

Reaching Base: .337 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Mike Jackson (5-3, 4.70, 67 games) and RH Bob Wells (8-5, 5.11, 65 games).

He’s Here: RHP Mike Jackson.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Tom Kelly, RHP Hector Carrasco, RHP Todd Jones.

Projected Lineup: LF Jacque Jones (.276, 14, 49, .335 OBP), SS Cristian Guzman (.302, 10, 51, 14 triples, .337 OBP), 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.306, 15, 74, Gold Glove, .387 OBP), DH David Ortiz (.234, 18, 48, .324 OBP), 3B Corey Koskie (.276, 26, 103, 100 runs, 27 SBs, .362 OBP), CF Torii Hunter (.261, 27, 92, 125 Ks, Gold Glove, .306 OBP), RF Brian Buchanan (.274, 10, 32, .342 OBP), C A.J. Pierzynski (.289, 7, 55, .322 OBP), 2B Luis Rivas (.266, 7, 47, 31 SBs, .319 OBP).

Rotation: RH Brad Radke (15-11, 3.94, 26 BBs in 226 IP), LH Eric Milton (15-7, 4.32), RH Joe Mays (17-13, 3.16), RH Rick Reed (4-6, 5.19 in 12 AL starts), RH Kyle Lohse (4-7, 5.68, 16 starts).

Closer: LH Eddie Guardado (7-1, 3.51, 12/14 saves).

Hot Spot: Acquisition of Reed last year from Mets for Matt Lawton strengthened rotation but left void in right field, where Buchanan begins as the starter. Team believes he can hit 35-40 HRs if he plays every day, but Buchanan must drastically improve his fielding and cut down on strikeouts.

Stat Sheet: Minnesota went 30-45 after the All-Star break and 8-24 without Guzman, who sat out with an inflamed right shoulder as its AL Central lead disappeared. Twins managed only 3.6 runs per game in Guzman’s absence.

Bottom Line: The pleasant surprise of 2001, the Twins were nearly kept from coming back to finish what they started last year by baseball’s contraction plan. Players are dripping with motivation to show owners they shouldn’t be eliminated and AL competition they aren’t a fluke. Clubhouse atmosphere was healthy to start with but should be even better under Gardenhire, the third-base coach under Kelly since 1991. Twins have one of game’s best starting trios in Radke, Milton and Mays, and Reed is a solid No. 4. Guardado’s move to closer role leaves club thin on left-handed middlemen.

Chicago White Sox

2001: 83-79, 3rd place, AL Central.

Manager: Jerry Manuel (5th season).

Reaching Base: .334 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: LHP Kelly Wunsch (2-1, 7.66, 33 games before shoulder surgery) and RHP Gary Glover (5-5, 4.93, 46 games).

He’s Here: CF Kenny Lofton, RHP Todd Ritchie, 2B Willie Harris.

He’s Outta Here: LHP David Wells, CF Chris Singleton, RHP Sean Lowe, RHP Kip Wells, 3B Herbert Perry, RH Bill Simas, OF Brian Simmons.

Projected Lineup: CF Kenny Lofton (.261, 14, 66, 16 SBs, .322 OBP), 2B Ray Durham, (.267, 20, 65, 104 runs, 23 SBs, .337 OBP), DH Frank Thomas (.221, 4, 10 before season-ending surgery), RF Magglio Ordonez (.305, 31, 113, 25 SBs, .382 OBP), 1B Paul Konerko (.282, 32, 99, .349 OBP), 3B Jose Valentin (.258, 28, 68, 114 Ks, 22 errors, .336 OBP), LF Carlos Lee (.269, 24, 84, .321 OBP), C Sandy Alomar Jr. (.245, 4, 21 in 70 games), SS Royce Clayton (.263, 9, 60, .315 OBP).

Rotation: LH Mark Buehrle (16-8, 3.29, 221 IP in first full season), RH Todd Ritchie (11-15, 4.47), RH Jon Garland (6-7, 3.68), RH Dan Wright (5.3, 5.70), RH Jon Rauch (1-3, 5.79 at Triple-A before season-ending shoulder surgery).

Closer: RH Keith Foulke (4-9, 2.33, 42/45 saves).

Hot Spots: After sitting out almost an entire season following triceps surgery, can Thomas return to his 43-homer, 143-RBI form of two years ago? Can Jim Parque, Wunsch, Antonio Osuna, Rauch and Lorenzo Barcelo recover from surgery? Can Bobby Howry find his fastball of two years ago before arm surgery after the 2000 season?

Stat Sheet: Lofton and Durham had subpar seasons and must pick it up. Team can’t afford another below-.200 first half from Clayton.

Bottom Line: White Sox must find a way to beat the Twins, who won 14 of 19 games between the teams last season and almost single-handedly kept Chicago out of contention in the division. Chicago hopes Ritchie will boost the rotation, something David Wells couldn’t do last year when he won five games before needing surgery.

Detroit Tigers

2001: 66-96, 4th place, AL Central.

Manager: Phil Garner (3rd season).

Reaching Base: .320 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Danny Patterson (5-4, 3.06, 60 games).

He’s Here: 1B Dmitri Young, 3B Craig Paquette, RHP Jose Paniagua, RHP Bill Simas, INF Damian Jackson.

He’s Outta Here: OF Roger Cedeno, 1B Tony Clark, SS Deivi Cruz, OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Chris Holt.

Projected Lineup: CF Jose Macias (.268, 8, 51, .316 OBP), 2B Damion Easley (.250, 11, 65, .323 OBP), LF Bobby Higginson (.277, 17, 71, .367 OBP), 1B Dmitri Young (.302, 21, 69, .350 OBP), DH Dean Palmer (.222, 11, 40, .317 OBP in 57 games), RF Robert Fick (.272, 19, 61, .339 OBP), 3B Craig Paquette (.282, 15, 64, .326 OBP), SS Shane Halter (.284, 12, 65, .344 OBP), C Mike Rivera (.289, 33, 101, .368 OBP in Double-A).

Rotation: RHP Jeff Weaver (13-16, 4.08, 5 CGs, 229 1-3 innings), RHP Steve Sparks (14-9, 3.65, 8 CGs), RHP Jose Lima (5-10, 4.71, 23 HRs allowed), LHP Mark Redman (2-6, 4.50), RHP Nate Cornejo (4-4, 7.38).

Closer: RHP Matt Anderson (3-1, 4.82, 22/24 saves).

Hot Spot: The Tigers need several players Macias, Fick, Halter and Paquette to transform themselves into everyday players.

Stat Sheet: Detroit does not have a player who hit more than 19 homers, drove in more than 65 runs or stole more than 21 bases last season.

Bottom Line: The Tigers have had eight consecutive losing seasons, and they will surprise many if they approach a winning record this year. They lack power at the plate, speed around the bases, and have a lot to prove in the field. However, the franchise may be headed in the right direction after trading for and signing Young and giving multiyear deals to Weaver and Anderson.

Kansas City Royals

2001: 65-97, 5th place, AL Central.

Manager: Tony Muser (5th season).

Reaching Base: .318 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: Jason Grimsley (1-5, 3.02, 73 games) and RH Cory Bailey (1-1, 3.48 in 53 games).

He’s Here: LF Chuck Knoblauch, RF Michael Tucker, LH Darrell May.

He’s Outta Here: LH Jose Rosado, C Gregg Zaun.

Projected Lineup: LF Chuck Knoblauch (.250, 9, 44, 38 SBs, .339 OBP), SS Neifi Perez (.241, 1, 12, .237 OBP), CF Carlos Beltran (.306, 24, 101, 106 runs, .362 OBP), 1B Mike Sweeney (.304, 29, 99, 97 runs, .374 OBP), RF Michael Tucker (.263, 5, 39, .303 OBP), 3B Joe Randa (.253, 13, 83, .307 OBP), DH Raul Ibanez (.280, 13, 54, .353 OBP), C Brent Mayne (.241, 2, 20 .283 OBP), 2B Carlos Febles (.236, 8, 25, .363 OBP).

Rotation: RH Jeff Suppan (10-14, 4.37), LH Darrell May (10-8, 4.13 in Japan), RH Paul Byrd (6-6, 4.05), RH Chad Durbin (9-16, 4.63), RH Dan Reichert (8-8, 5.63 ERA).

Closer: RH Roberto Hernandez (5-6, 4.12, 28/34 saves).

Hot Spot: Muser’s job will be saved only if Royals get off to a decent start. If not, he could be the first manager fired in the regular season. Royals counting on Knoblauch to light a competitive fire under a team that’s lacked spirit. Breakthrough seasons by young pitchers Durbin and Reichert are crucial.

Stat Sheet: The Royals’ pitiful .318 OBP was the lowest in the AL and indicative of a team that lost 97 games. Team officials stood outside arena during Big 12 basketball tournament giving away tickets for the April 3 game against Minnesota. Some people maybe out-of-towners said “No, thanks.”

Bottom Line: Payroll is about $48.5 million, up from about $35 million a year ago, and owner David Glass says he’ll lose about $12 million-$14 million. Glass also insists the Royals are in no danger of contraction. But if state lawmakers balk on plan to help underwrite $150 million worth of renovations to Kauffman Stadium, Glass will be very unhappy. He says the improvements are needed along with increased revenue sharing before the Royals can meet demands. A key to Glass’ plans will be whether he signs Sweeney, the Royals’ best hitter since George Brett, to a long-term contract. If Sweeney gets away, the organization will lose most of whatever credibility is left.

AL West

Seattle Mariners

2001: 116-46, 1st place, AL West.

Manager: Lou Piniella (10th season).

Reaching Base: .360 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: LH Arthur Rhodes (8-0, 1.72, 71 games) and RH Jeff Nelson (4-2, 2.76, 69 games).

He’s Here: 3B Jeff Cirillo, OF Ruben Sierra, RHP James Baldwin, C Ben Davis, RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa, INF Desi Relaford, INF Alex Arias.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Aaron Sele, OF Jay Buhner, LHP Norm Charlton, OF Stan Javier, OF Al Martin, C Tom Lampkin, RHP Jose Paniagua, RHP Brett Tomko.

Projected Lineup: CF Ichiro Suzuki (.350, 8, 69, 127 runs, 56 SBs, AL MVP, .381 OBP), 3B Jeff Cirillo (.313, 17, 83, .364 OBP), 2B Bret Boone (.331, 37, 141, 118 runs, .372 OBP), DH Edgar Martinez (.306, 23, 116, .423 OBP), 1B John Olerud (.302, 21, 95, .401 OBP), CF Mike Cameron (.267, 25, 110, 34 SBs, Gold Glove, .353 OBP), LF Ruben Sierra (.291, 23, 67, .322 OBP), C Dan Wilson (.265, 10, 42, .305 OBP), SS Carlos Guillen (.259, 5, 53, .333 OBP).

Rotation: RH Freddy Garcia (18-6, AL-best 3.05), LH Jamie Moyer (20-6, 3.43), RH Paul Abbott (17-4, 4.25), RH James Baldwin (10-11, 4.42), RH Joel Pineiro (6-2, 2.03, 17 games).

Closer: RH Kazuhiro Sasaki (0-4, 3.24, 45/52 saves).

Hot Spot: The Mariners decided not to re-sign Sele, who was 15-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 33 starts but faltered in the postseason. Baldwin, who split last season between the White Sox and Los Angeles, must pick up Sele’s 215 innings.

Stat Sheet: Cameron struck out a career-worst 155 times. Suzuki had 692 at-bats and walked 30 times.

Bottom Line: The Mariners won’t win 116 games as they did last season when they tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the most victories in major league history. But with Cirillo and Sierra, the Mariners probably will have a better offense than the one that led the AL with a .288 average last season. GM Pat Gillick was on the lookout as spring training wrapped up for a left-hander for the Mariners’ bullpen to replace the injured Norm Charlton.

Oakland Athletics

2001: 102-60, 2nd place, AL West, won wild card.

Manager: Art Howe (7th season).

Reaching Base: .345 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Jim Mecir (2-8, 3.48, 54 games) and RH Jeff Tam (2-4, 3.01, 70 games).

He’s Here: 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Billy Koch, OF David Justice, LHP Mike Holtz, RHP Mike Fyhrie, 1B Scott Hatteberg, LHP Mike Venafro, 2B Randy Velarde.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Jason Giambi, OF Johnny Damon, RHP Jason Isringhausen, RHP Gil Heredia, OF Ron Gant, INF F.P. Santangelo, RHP Luis Vizcaino.

Projected Lineup: DH Jeremy Giambi (.283, 12, 57, .391 OBP), 2B Randy Velarde (.278, 9, 32, .356 OBP), LF David Justice (.241, 18, 51, .333 OBP), RF Jermaine Dye (.282, 26, 106, 91 runs, .346 OBP), CF Terrence Long (.283, 12, 85, .335 OBP), 3B Eric Chavez (.288, 32, 114, 43 doubles, .338 OBP), SS Miguel Tejada (.267, 31, 113, 107 runs, .326 OBP), 1B Carlos Pena (.258, 3, 12 in 62 ABs, .361 OBP), C Ramon Hernandez (.254, 15, 60, .316 OBP).

Rotation: LH Mark Mulder (21-8, 3.45, 51 walks, 153 Ks), RH Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37), LH Barry Zito (17-8, 3.49, 205 Ks), RH Cory Lidle (13-6, 3.59), RH Erik Hiljus (5-0, 3.41, 11 starts).

Closer: RH Billy Koch (2-5, 4.80, 36/44 saves).

Hot Spot: True to their style as the prototypical small-market team, the A’s will rely on a group effort to replace the irreplaceable Jason Giambi. Dye and Justice, who had a down year with the Yankees in ’01, must increase their production, while Pena or Hatteberg must claim the full-time job at first base. Who will step up in the locker room remains to be seen.

Bottom Line: Though Jason Giambi was Oakland’s heart and soul, he left behind an extremely talented group of teammates still playing the carefree baseball that has become Oakland’s trademark. Led by their three hard-throwing aces and the maturing heart of their order, the A’s expect to be in playoff contention once again. Mark April 23 on the calendar: It’s Giambi’s return to the Coliseum.

Anaheim Angels

2001: 75-87, third place, AL West.

Manager: Mike Scioscia (3rd season).

Reaching Base: .327 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Ben Weber (6-2, 3.42, 62 games) and RH Al Levine (8-10, 2.38, 64 games).

He’s Here: RHP Kevin Appier, RHP Aaron Sele, DH Brad Fullmer, LHP Dennis Cook, RHP Donne Wall, INF-OF Clay Bellinger.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Mo Vaughn, RHP Pat Rapp, RHP Ismael Valdes, RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa, RHP Mike Holtz, RHP Brian Cooper, SS Gary DiSarcina.

Projected Lineup: SS David Eckstein (.285, 4, 41, 29 SBs, .355 OBP), CF Darin Erstad (.258, 9, 63, 24 SBs, .331 OBP), RF Tim Salmon (.227, 17, 49, .365 OPB), 3B Troy Glaus (.250, 41, 108, .367 OPB), LF Garret Anderson (.289, 28, 123, .314 OBP), DH Brad Fullmer (.274, 18, 83, .326 OBP), 1B Scott Spiezio (.271, 13, 54, .326 OBP), C Bengie Molina, (.262, 6, 40, .309 OBP), 2B Adam Kennedy, (.270, 6, 40, .318 OBP).

Rotation: RH Kevin Appier (11-10, 3.57), RH Aaron Sele (15-5, 3.60), LH Jarrod Washburn (11-10, 3.77), RH Ramon Ortiz, (13-11, 4.36), LH Scott Schoeneweis (10-11, 5.08).

Closer: RH Troy Percival (4-2, 2.65, 39/42 saves).

Hot Spot: The Angels won’t seriously contend in the West without complete rebound seasons from Salmon and Erstad, and a better season from Fullmer.

Bottom line: Somewhat surprisingly, Disney boosted the payroll even after unloading Vaughn’s big contract. The starting rotation, upgraded by Appier and Sele, could rate with those of Oakland and Seattle. With Percival in the bullpen and the addition of Dennis Cook, the overall staff could be one of the league’s best.

Texas Rangers

2001: 73-89, 4th place, AL West.

Manager: Jerry Narron (2nd season).

Reaching Base: .344 on-base percentage.

Setting Up: RH Jay Powell (5-3, 3.24 ERA, 74 games) and RH Todd Van Poppel (4-1, 2.52, 59 games).

He’s Here: OF Juan Gonzalez, OF Carl Everett, RHP Chan Ho Park, LHP John Rocker, RHP Ismael Valdes, INF Herbert Perry, RHP Jay Powell, RHP Todd Van Poppel, LHP Rich Rodriguez.

He’s Outta Here: OF Chad Curtis, OF Ricky Ledee, OF Ruben Sierra, RHP Tim Crabtree, RHP Ryan Glynn, RHP Rick Helling, RHP Pat Mahomes, LHP Darren Oliver, RHP Mark Petkovsek, LHP Mike Venafro.

Projected lineup: LF Frank Catalanotto (.330, 11 HRs, 54 RBIs, 77 runs, 15 SBs, .391 OBP), DH Rusty Greer (.273, 7, 29, 23 2Bs), SS Alex Rodriguez (.318, 52, 135, 393 total bases, .399 OPB), RF Juan Gonzalez (.325, 35, 140), 1B Rafael Palmeiro (.273, 47, 123, 98 runs, 101 walks), C Ivan Rodriguez (.308, 25, 65), CF Carl Everett (.257, 14, 58), 3B Hank Blalock (.352, 18, 128 combined at Class-A and Double-A), 2B Michael Young (.249, 11, 49).

Rotation: RH Chan Ho Park (15-11, 3.50 ERA, 218 Ks), LH Kenny Rogers (5-7, 6.19), RH Ismael Valdes (9-13, 4.45), LH Doug Davis (11-10, 4.45), RH Dave Burba (10-10, 6.21) or RH Hideki Irabu (0-2, 4.86)

Closer: RH Jeff Zimmerman (4-4, 2.40, 28/31 saves) or LH John Rocker (5-9, 4.32, 23/30 saves).

Hot Spot: The outfield is crowded with the additions of Gonzalez and Everett. Narron has three players Catalanotto, Greer and Gabe Kapler (.267, 17, 72) for two spots, LF and DH. Catalanotto, who will also play some at 2B, was fifth in the AL in hitting after becoming an everyday player, and Greer is a career .305 hitter coming off two injury-shortened seasons. Kapler been a starter in right and center the past two seasons.

Bottom Line: With Alex Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez batting in a row, the Rangers are going to bash the ball around. They led the majors with 246 homers and 595 extra-base hits last year before the return of two-time AL MVP Gonzalez, the team’s career leader in both categories. To take advantage, Texas must get better pitching. New GM John Hart brought 16 new pitchers to camp. Park will be the No. 1 starter, but Valdes has had just one winning season since going 15-7 for Los Angeles in 1996. Zimmerman will be out for al least the first month with an injured elbow, meaning Rocker will be counted on to close.