Capsules of American League teams, listed in order of finish last year:

EAST

New York Yankees

2006: 97-65, first place.

Manager: Joe Torre (12th season).

He’s Here: LHP Andy Pettitte, LHP Kei Igawa, RHP Luis Vizcaino, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, RHP Chris Britton, 1B-DH Josh Phelps, RHP Humberto Sanchez, C Todd Pratt.

He’s Outta Here: RF Gary Sheffield, LHP Randy Johnson, OF-DH Bernie Williams, RHP Jaret Wright, RHP Octavio Dotel, 1B-RF Craig Wilson, C Sal Fasano, RHP Tanyon Sturtze, OF-1B Aaron Guiel, INF Nick Green.

Projected Lineup: CF Johnny Damon (.285, 24 HRs, 80 RBIs, 115 R, 25 SB), SS Derek Jeter (.344, 14, 97, 118 R, 34 SB, .417 OBP), RF Bobby Abreu (.297, 15, 107, 124 BB, .424 OBP with Philadelphia and Yankees), 3B Alex Rodriguez (.290, 35, 121, 113 R, 24 E, 1-for-14 in playoffs), DH Jason Giambi (.253, 37, 113, 110 BB, .558 SLG, .413 OBP), LF Hideki Matsui (.302, 8, 29 in 51G), C Jorge Posada (.277, 23, 93), 2B Robinson Cano (.342, 15, 78), 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.283, 4, 43 for Kansas City) and Josh Phelps (.308, 24, 90 for Triple-A Toledo).

Rotation: RH Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.51 ERA), RH Chien-Ming Wang (19-6, 3.63; out until at least late April with hamstring injury), LH Andy Pettitte (14-13, 4.20 for Houston), RH Carl Pavano (did not pitch in majors), LH Kei Igawa (14-9, 2.97 ERA, 194 Ks in Japan).

Key Relievers: RH Mariano Rivera (5-5, 1.80, 34â37 saves, 11 BBs in 75 IP), RH Kyle Farnsworth (3-6, 4.36, 6 saves), RH Scott Proctor (6-4, 3.52), RH Brian Bruney (1-1, 0.87), LH Mike Myers (1-2, 3.23), RH Luis Vizcaino (4-6, 3.58 for Arizona), RH Jeff Karstens (2-1, 3.80).

Hot Spot: Once again, the spotlight will be on A-Rod, coming off a turbulent season and another playoff flop as he was dropped to No. 8 in the batting order. He can opt out of his record $252 million contract after 2007 and become a free agent, and Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he wouldn’t discuss an extension with Rodriguez. The two-time MVP, who spoke out in spring training about his diminished friendship with Jeter, said earlier this year that he wants to spend the rest of his career with the Yankees. But in a radio interview, A-Rod also indicated that the way the fans treat him could be a factor in his decision. He shouldn’t count on getting much leeway in the Bronx.

Stat Sheet: The Yankees scored 930 runs last year, 60 more than any other major league team, even though Matsui and Sheffield were injured most of the season and Cano was sidelined for a significant stretch. As long as they avoid a rash of injuries, the Bronx Bombers should be able to hit their way back into the playoffs regardless of how consistent the pitching staff is.

Bottom Line: The Yankees have won nine straight division titles but are still looking for their first World Series championship since 2000. After a stunning playoff loss to Detroit last year – their second consecutive first-round exit – the Yankees made a pair of major trades in the offseason. They dumped Sheffield and Johnson, trimming payroll and stockpiling prospects. The lineup remains loaded, however. Pettitte, a star in pinstripes from 1995-03 before leaving for Houston, is back. Will Roger Clemens follow? New York spent $46 million to bring Igawa over from Japan. He’s expected to fill a slot at the back of the rotation, but he struggled early in spring training. The oft-injured Pavano hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 2005 and still must gain the trust of teammates, coaches and club executives. He’ll probably get his first big chance on opening day because injuries slowed several other starters this spring, including Pettitte. His back bothered him. If any of those three falter, the organization does have some capable and attractive young arms to plug in. But Wang’s injury could be a major blow if he doesn’t return quickly – and in peak form. The Yankees plan to use Giambi mostly at DH and carry 12 pitchers, so playing time at 1B appears to be up for grabs between Mientkiewicz and Phelps. New York might have enough to hold off Boston again, but it’s been a while since this team performed well in October. And that’s what matters most to owner George Steinbrenner and a demanding fan base that grew accustomed to winning championships under Torre, who enters the final season of his contract.

Toronto Blue Jays

2006: 87-75, second place.

Manager: John Gibbons (third season).

He’s Here: DH Frank Thomas, SS Royce Clayton, RHP Tomo Ohka, RHP John Thomson, C Sal Fasano, OF Matt Stairs, RHP Victor Zambrano.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Ted Lilly, C Bengie Molina, OF Frank Catalanotto, RHP Justin Speier.

Projected Lineup: LF Reed Johnson (.319, 12 HR, 49 RBI, .390 OBP), 1B Lyle Overbay (.312, 22, 92), CF Vernon Wells (.303, 32, 106, 17 SB), DH Frank Thomas (.270, 39, 114, .545 SLG with Oakland), 3B Troy Glaus (.252, 38, 104), RF Alex Rios (.302, 17, 82, 15 SB), C Gregg Zaun (.272, 12, 40), 2B Aaron Hill (.291, 6, 50), SS Royce Clayton (.258, 2, 40, 30 with Washington and Cincinnati).

Rotation: RH Roy Halladay (16-5, 3.19 ERA, 132 Ks), RH A.J. Burnett (10-8, 3.98), LH Gustavo Chacin (9-4, 5.05), RH Tomo Ohka (4-5, 4.83 with Milwaukee), RH Josh Towers (2-10, 8.42), RH John Thomson (2-7, 4.82 with Atlanta).

Key Relievers: LH B.J. Ryan (2-2, 1.37, 38 saves), RH Brandon League (1-2, 2.53), RH Jason Frasor (3-2, 4.32), LH Scott Downs (6-2, 4.09), LH Brian Tallet (3-0, 3.81), RH Jeremy Accardo (1-1, 5.97), RH Francisco Rosario (1-2, 6.65), RH Shawn Marcum (3-4, 5.06).

Hot Spot: The rotation. After Halladay and Burnett, the talent level drops off drastically. Toronto lost Lilly to free agency and couldn’t lure Gil Meche north of the border. Chacin should hold down the third spot – if healthy – and the Blue Jays will round out the rotation using Ohka, Towers, Marcum and Thomson, whose chances dimmed when he developed a sore shoulder in late March. Victor Zambrano, coming off Tommy John surgery, has impressed in spring training and could find his way into the rotation by May or June. Halladay, Burnett and Chacin all missed time with injuries last season. If that happens again, the Jays are in trouble.

Stat Sheet: Toronto gave Thomas a two-year deal worth $18.12 million after The Big Hurt carried Oakland into the playoffs last season, his best since 2003. The Blue Jays hope Thomas can steer clear of the various ailments (ankle, back) that have dogged him in recent years and provide another long-ball threat alongside Wells and Glaus in the middle of their dangerous lineup.

Bottom Line: If Thomas and Glaus stay healthy and Wells continues to produce, the Blue Jays have the potential to outhit a lot of teams and wear down opposing pitching staffs. Given the lack of depth in the rotation and bullpen, that might be Toronto’s best shot at the playoffs. Wells, a two-time Gold Glove winner, begins his first season under a new $126 million, seven-year contract, the sixth largest in baseball history. Toronto finished one game ahead of Boston last season to claim second place, its highest finish since the 1993 World Series championship team, but still fell short of the wild card. This season the Blue Jays must stay healthy and get the best from their big names – including Halladay, Burnett and Ryan on the mound.

Boston Red Sox

2006: 86-76, third place.

Manager: Terry Francona (fourth season).

He’s Here: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, RF J.D. Drew, SS Julio Lugo, RHP Brendan Donnelly, RHP Joel Pineiro, LHP J.C. Romero, LHP Hideki Okajima.

He’s Outta Here: RF Trot Nixon, 2B Mark Loretta, SS Alex Gonzalez, RHP Keith Foulke, OF Gabe Kapler, OF Adam Stern, 1B Carlos Pena.

Projected Lineup: SS Julio Lugo (.278, 12 HRs, 37 RBIs, 24 SBs with Devil Rays and Dodgers), 1B Kevin Youkilis (.277, 13, 72, 100 runs, 42 2Bs), DH David Ortiz (.287, 54, 137, 119 BBs, 355 TBs, .636 SLG), LF Manny Ramirez (.321, 35, 102, .439 OBP, .619 SLG), RF J.D. Drew (.283, 20, 100 with Dodgers), 3B Mike Lowell (.284, 20, 80), C Jason Varitek (.238, 12, 55), CF Coco Crisp (.264, 8, 36), 2B Dustin Pedroia (.191, 2, 7).

Rotation: RH Curt Schilling (15-7, 3.97 ERA, 183Ks), RH Josh Beckett (16-11, 5.01, career-high 36 HRs allowed), RH Daisuke Matsuzaka (17-5, 2.13, 13 CGs, 200 Ks in Japan), RH Tim Wakefield (7-11, 4.63), RH Julian Tavarez (5-4, 4.47).

Key Relievers: RH Jonathan Papelbon (4-2, 0.92, 35â41 saves), RH Mike Timlin (6-6, 4.36, 9 saves), RH Joel Pineiro (8-13, 6.36, 1 save with Seattle), RH Brendan Donnelly (6-0, 3.94 with Angels), LH J.C. Romero (1-2, 6.70 with Angels), LH Hideki Okajima (2-2, 2.14 in Japan).

Hot Spot: The pitching staff. The bullpen got a big boost when the Red Sox returned Papelbon to his closer’s role after insisting most of spring training that he would be a starter. But the rotation might have suffered when Julian Tavarez, a middle reliever most of his career who had success as a starter last September, took Papelbon’s spot. Still, the unit could be strong with Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka and Wakefield, who all had solid springs. Getting from them to Papelbon, though, could be an adventure. The 41-year-old Timlin struggled in the second half of 2006 and hasn’t pitched an inning in spring training because of a strained muscle on his side. Pineiro and Romero are coming off poor seasons, and Okajima has never pitched in the majors.

Stat Sheet: The addition of Drew should benefit both the player and the team. He led the Dodgers with 34 doubles, 100 RBIs, 89 walks and a .393 on-base percentage. His 20 homers tied for the team lead. He has been Boston’s best hitter in spring training and expects to see a lot of good pitches batting behind sluggers Ortiz and Ramirez. He also has fielded and run the bases very well. Drew is with his fourth team, the first in the AL. There are no signs of shoulder and wrist injuries that plagued him in recent years and he is a significant improvement over Nixon, who signed with Cleveland after Boston didn’t offer him a contract.

Bottom Line: The Red Sox starting pitching and lineup are impressive. They should score a lot of runs, but their middle relief is a question mark. Matsuzaka has lived up to his billing with an outstanding spring training. The team’s best move was the decision to stick with Papelbon as the closer, a role he loves. Boston missed the playoffs for the first time in four years in 2006 when Ramirez sat out 28 of the last 36 games with what the team described as right knee tendinitis. His willingness to stay on the field in the face of such minor injuries is critical to the team’s chances.

Baltimore Orioles

2006: 70-92, fourth place.

Manager: Sam Perlozzo (second season).

He’s Here: OF Jay Payton, OF Aubrey Huff, RHP Danys Baez, RHP Chad Bradford, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, LHP Jamie Walker, RHP Scott Williamson, RHP Jaret Wright, C Paul Bako.

He’s Outta Here: OF David Newhan, OF Fernando Tatis, RHP Rodrigo Lopez, LHP Bruce Chen, RHP Russ Ortiz.

Projected Lineup: 2B Brian Roberts (.286, 10 HRs, 85 runs, 36 SBs), 3B Melvin Mora (.274, 16 83), RF Nick Markakis (.291, 16, 62, .351 OBP), SS Miguel Tejada (.330, 24, 100, 37 doubles), 1B Aubrey Huff (.267, 21, 66 with Tampa Bay and Houston), C Ramon Hernandez (.275, 23, 91, .343 OBP), DH Jay Gibbons (.277, 13, 46), LF Jay Payton (.296, 10, 59 with Oakland), CF Corey Patterson (.276, 16, 53, career-high 45 SBs).

Rotation: LH Erik Bedard (15-11, 3.76 ERA, 171 Ks), RH Daniel Cabrera (9-10, 4.74, 157 Ks, 104BBs), LH Adam Loewen (6-6, 5.37), RH Jaret Wright (11-7, 4.49 ERA with New York Yankees), RH Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97 ERA with New York Mets).

Key Relievers: RH Chris Ray 4-4, 2.73, 33â38 saves), RH Danys Baez (5-6, 4.53, 9 saves with Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves), RH Chad Bradford (4-2, 2.90), LH Jamie Walker (0-1, 2.81 ERA with Detroit), RH Scott Williamson (2-4, 5.72 with San Diego and Chicago Cubs).

Hot Spot: The rotation. Bedard is clearly the ace, followed by a significant dropoff. Cabrera had a losing record, led the AL in walks and was sent back to the minors to work on his control. Wright has a history of arm problems and experienced a poor spring; Loewen has only 22 games of big league experience and Trachsel was ignored by almost every team before the Orioles came calling in late February after Kris Benson was sidelined with a torn rotator cuff.

Stat Sheet: Roberts’ numbers dipped in 2006 after returning from offseason elbow surgery, but this year he expects a return to the form he showed as an All-Star in 2005. Proof that he may be right: All 10 of his home runs last year came after June 28, a surge he attributes to finally getting over the after-effects of surgery.

Bottom Line: The Orioles are an improved team from a year ago, but still not good enough to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays in the AL East. An improved bullpen could make up for the inexperienced starting rotation, and Payton and Huff should enhance an attack that last year relied too heavily on Tejada and Hernandez for power. If all that happens, then the Orioles will probably end their embarrassing run of nine straight losing seasons.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2006: 61-101, fifth place.

Manager: Joe Maddon (second season).

He’s Here: 3B Akinori Iwamura, RHP Jae Kuk Ryu, RHP Al Reyes, 1B Carlos Pena, INF Brendan Harris.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Travis Harper, OF Damon Hollins, RHP Brian Meadows, INF Tomas Perez, RHP Tyler Walker.

Projected Lineup: LF Carl Crawford (.305, 18 HRs, 77 RBIs, 89 runs, 58 SBs, .348 OBP), SS Ben Zobrist (.224, 2, 18 in 52 games), CF Rocco Baldelli (.302, 16, 57), 1B Ty Wigginton (.275, 24, 79, .330 .498 SLG), DH Greg Norton (.296, 17, 45, .520 SLG), 2B Jorge Cantu (.249, 14, 62), RF Delmon Young (.317, 3, 10, .476 SLG in 30 games), 3B Akinori Iwamura (.311, 32, 77 in Japan), C Dioner Navarro (.244, 4, 20 in 56 games with Tampa Bay).

Rotation: LH Scott Kazmir (10-8, 3.24 ERA, 163 Ks), RH James Shields (6-8, 4.84), LH Casey Fossum (6-6, 5.33), RH Jae Seo (1-8, 5.00), RH Edwin Jackson (0-0, 5.45 in 23 appearances, one start with Tampa Bay).

Key Relievers: RH Shawn Camp (7-4, 4.58), RH Ruddy Lugo (2-4, 3.81), RH Brian Stokes 1-0, 4.88), RH Al Reyes (4-2, 2.15 with St. Louis in 2005), RH Chad Orvella (1-5, 7.40), RH Seth McClung (6-12, 6.29, 6 saves).

Hot Spot: Pitching. Despite losing 101 games last year, the Devil Rays entered spring training with four spots already set in a shaky rotation. Maddon spent most of 2006 trying to determine specific roles in the bullpen, and things may be no different this year. The absence of a true closer means the role will be filled by committee.

Stat Sheet: Last season Crawford joined Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby as the only players to increase home runs and batting average five consecutive seasons, hitting 18 homers and batting .305. Also swiped 58 bases to win his third AL stolen base title. The 25-year-old is on pace to reach 1,000 hits, 300 steals and 100 triples before his 28th birthday. The only player who has done that is Ty Cobb.

Bottom Line: An opening day payroll of about $24 million – down from $35 million a year ago – will make it difficult for the Devil Rays to escape the AL East cellar. While they have put together a nice nucleus of young players in Kazmir, Crawford, Baldelli and Young, the starting pitching remains suspect and the bullpen – at best – is unsettled. Iwamura, an All-Star in Japan, was the club’s biggest offseason acquisition. The pitching and defense must improve dramatically to avoid another 100-loss season.

CENTRAL

Minnesota Twins

2006: 96-66, first place.

Manager: Ron Gardenhire (sixth season).

He’s Here: RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Sidney Ponson, INF-DH Jeff Cirillo.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Brad Radke, OF Shannon Stewart, DH-1B Phil Nevin, INF Terry Tiffee, RHP Willie Eyre.

Projected Lineup: 2B Luis Castillo (.296, 84 runs, 25 SBs, .358 OBP), 3B Nick Punto (.290, 73 runs, 17 SBs, .352 OBP), C Joe Mauer (.347, 13 HRs, 84 RBIs, .429 OBP), RF Michael Cuddyer (.284, 24, 109, 41 2Bs, .362 OBP), 1B Justin Morneau (.321, 34, 130, 37 2Bs, 97 runs, .375 OBP), CF Torii Hunter (.278, 31, 98, .336 OBP), DH Jason Kubel (.241, 8, 26, 45 SOs in 73 games), LF Rondell White (.246, 7, 38), SS Jason Bartlett (.306, 1, 20, 23 2Bs, .336 OBP).

Rotation: LH Johan Santana (19-6, 2.77 ERA, 245 Ks, 47 walks, .216 opp. BA), RH Boof Bonser (7-6, 4.22, 18 HRs allowed in 18 starts), RH Ramon Ortiz (11-16, 5.57 with Washington), RH Sidney Ponson (4-5, 6.25 for Cardinals and Yankees), RH Carlos Silva (11-15, 5.94, 38 HRs allowed).

Key Relievers: RH Joe Nathan (7-0, 1.58, 36â38 saves, 95 Ks in 68 1-3 IP), RH Juan Rincon (3-1, 2.91), LH Dennys Reyes (5-0, 0.89, .197 opp. BA), RH Jesse Crain (4-5, 3.52), RH Pat Neshek (4-2, 2.19, 53 Ks in 37 IP, .176 opp. BA).

Hot Spot: The rotation. After two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Santana, it’s anybody’s guess. Brad Radke retired and lefty Francisco Liriano is out this year following Tommy John surgery, leaving two big voids. Silva is coming off a disappointing season and has struggled this spring. Bonser showed promise last season, but is young. The Twins need veterans Ortiz and Ponson to be reliable at the back end of the rotation. If Silva, Ortiz or Ponson falter, look for right-hander Matt Garza, who had a stellar spring, to be called up from Triple-A in a hurry.

Stat Sheet: The Twins had one of baseball’s best bullpens last season, evidenced by their 68-20 record when starters lasted at least six innings. Neshek, Crain, Reyes, Rincon and middle relievers such as Matt Guerrier could get plenty of work this summer if the rotation falters.

Bottom Line: Almost everyone is back from a team that thrilled fans last season by coming from 121â2 games back to win its fourth division title in five seasons. But the two they lost hurt. Radke was a rock in the rotation and Liriano was brilliant as a rookie last season until arm troubles surfaced in August. Gardenhire is going to need AL batting champ Mauer, MVP Morneau, cleanup hitter Cuddyer and the piranhas – Punto, Bartlett and Castillo – to have similar seasons at the plate to back up a sketchy rotation and compete with Detroit, Cleveland and the White Sox in the powerful AL Central.

Detroit Tigers

2006: 95-67, second place, wild card, AL champions.

Manager: Jim Leyland (second season).

He’s Here: DH Gary Sheffield, RHP Jose Mesa, LHP Edward Campusano, LHP Joey Eischen.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Jamie Walker.

Projected Lineup: CF Curtis Granderson (.260, 19 HRs, 68 RBIs, 174 Ks, .335 OBP), 2B Placido Polanco (.295, 4, 52), DH Gary Sheffield (.298, 6, 25 in 39 games with Yankees), RF Magglio Ordonez (.298, 24, 104), SS Carlos Guillen (.320, 19, 85), C Ivan Rodriguez (.300, 13, 69), 1B Sean Casey (.245, 5, 30 in 53 games with Tigers), LF Craig Monroe (.255, 28, 92), 3B Brandon Inge (.253, 27, 83, 128 Ks).

Rotation: RH Jeremy Bonderman (14-8, 4.08, 214 IP, 202 Ks, 64 BBs ), RH Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.63, 186, 124, 60), LH Nate Robertson (13-13, 3.84, 208, 137, 67), LH Mike Maroth (5-2, 4.19, 53, 24, 16), RH Chad Durbin (0-0, 1.50 in 3 relief appearances).

Key Relievers: RH Todd Jones (2-6, 3.94, 37â43 saves), RH Joel Zumaya (6-3, 1.94, 83, 97, 42), RH Fernando Rodney (7-4, 3.52), RH Jose Mesa (1-5, 3.86, 79 Gs with Colorado), LH Wilfredo Ledezma (3-3, 3.58, 7 starts).

Hot Spot: Between the ears. If the Tigers forget what helped them win the AL pennant, preparing diligently almost every day and playing hard, they might slip back to the pack. The Tigers said all the right things in spring training, but they have to make sure pats on the back don’t lead to foolish cockiness.

Stat Sheet: The Tigers are paying Sheffield $13 million this year and $28 million over the next two seasons, banking on him being healthy and productive. Sheffield missed most of last season with a wrist injury, leading to him having just six homers and 25 RBIs – his lowest totals in those key categories since 1991.

Bottom Line: Coming off their first World Series since 1984, the Tigers quickly have become the hunted after being hunters for more than a decade. Leyland insists only self-destructive behavior and injuries can stop Detroit this year, and he might be right. But the team was dealt a major blow just before the season when 17-game winner Kenny Rogers had surgery to remove a blood clot from his left shoulder and repair arteries. He is expected to be out until at least July. The Tigers gave themselves a chance to contend by essentially bringing back the same team – plus Sheffield. They acquired him from the Yankees without giving up a major league player. Detroit also re-signed Casey and lost only Walker, a reliever. Outstanding pitching pushed the Tigers to the top last year, and there’s no reason to think the front of the rotation and back of the bullpen can’t be among baseball’s best again – even without Rogers. In about seven months, the Tigers will find out if it was harder to get to the top – or stay there.

Chicago White Sox

2006: 90-72, third place.

Manager: Ozzie Guillen (fourth season).

He’s Here: OF-1B Darin Erstad, C Toby Hall, RHP David Aardsma, RHP Gavin Floyd, RHP Nick Masset, LHP Andrew Sisco.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Neal Cotts, 1B-OF Ross Gload, RHP Dustin Hermanson, RHP David Riske, C Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Projected Lineup: LF Scott Podsednik (.261, 3 HRs, 45 RBIs, 40 steals in 59 attempts), CF Darin Erstad (.221, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs for Los Angeles Angels), DH Jim Thome (.288, 42 HRs, 109 RBIs), 1B Paul Konerko (.313, 35 HRs, 113 RBIs), RF Jermaine Dye (.315, 44 HRs, 120 RBIs), 3B Joe Crede (.283, 30 HRs, 94 RBIs), C A.J. Pierzynski (.295, 16 HRs, 64 RBIs), 2B Tadahito Iguchi (.281, 18 HRs, 67 RBIs), SS Juan Uribe (.235, 21 HRs, 71 RBIs).

Rotation: RH Jose Contreras (13-9, 4.27 ERA), RH Jon Garland (18-7, 4.51), LH Mark Buehrle (12-13, 4.99, career-high 36 home runs allowed), RH Javier Vazquez (11-12, 4.84), LH John Danks (9-9, 4.24 in 27 games and 26 starts for Texas’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates).

Key Relievers: RH Bobby Jenks (3-4, 4.00 ERA, 41â45 saves), RH Mike MacDougal (1-1, 1.55 in 29 appearances – 25 with the White Sox after acquisition from Kansas City), RH David Aardsma (3-0, 4.08 in 45 appearances with Chicago Cubs), LH Andrew Sisco (1-3, 7.10, 1 save for Royals), RH Nick Masset (0-0, 4.15 in eight appearances for Texas), LH Matt Thornton (5-3, 3.33).

Hot Spot: Left field and center field. Podsednik had sports hernia surgery in the offseason, and Erstad is coming off an injury-shortened season. Hall, the backup catcher, is out indefinitely with a right shoulder injury.

Stat Sheet: Which Buehrle will show up? The pitcher picked for the All-Star team or the one who went 3-7 with a 6.44 ERA in the second half?

Bottom Line: The White Sox went from World Series champions in 2005 to playoff spectators in 2006, but instead of a major overhaul, they opted to tweak the roster and add prospects. The rotation in center and left is a question mark. So is the starting rotation, especially with Garcia now in Philadelphia. That trade wasn’t a shock because Chicago was expected to clear room in the rotation for McCarthy. The deal that sent McCarthy to Texas for prospects two weeks later was a surprise, though.

Cleveland Indians

2006: 78-84, fourth place.

Manager: Eric Wedge (fifth season).

He’s Here: 2B Josh Barfield, RHP Joe Borowski, RHP Roberto Hernandez, LHP Aaron Fultz, OF David Dellucci, OF Trot Nixon.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Keith Foulke, 3B Aaron Boone, 2B Ronnie Belliard, INF Kevin Kouzmanoff, 1B Ben Broussard, 1B Eduardo Perez, OF Todd Hollandsworth, RHP Jeremy Guthrie.

Projected Lineup: CF Grady Sizemore (.290, 28 HRs, AL-best 53 doubles, 76 RBIs, 22 steals), RF Trot Nixon (.268, 8, 52 in Boston), DH Travis Hafner (.308, 42, 117 in 129 games), C Victor Martinez (.316, 16, 93), 1B Casey Blake (.282, 19, 68), LF David Dellucci (.292, 13, 39 in Philadelphia), 3B Andy Marte (.226, 5, 23 in 50 games), SS Jhonny Peralta (.257, 13, 68, 152 Ks), 2B Josh Barfield (.280, 58 RBIs, 28 steals with San Diego).

Rotation: LH C.C. Sabathia (12-11, 3.22 ERA, AL-best six complete games), RH Jake Westbrook (15-10, 4.17, two shutouts), LH Cliff Lee (14-11, 4.40; will begin season on DL with abdominal strain), LH Jeremy Sowers (7-4, 3.57, went 9-1 at Triple-A Buffalo), RH Paul Byrd (10-9, 4.86), RH Fausto Carmona (1-10, 5.42, seven starts).

Key Relievers: RH Joe Borowski (3-3, 3.75 ERA, 36 saves in 43 tries for Florida), RH Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 2 saves with Pittsburgh and New York Mets, 326 career saves), LH Aaron Fultz (3-1, 4.54 in 66 games for Philadelphia), RH Rafael Betancourt (3-4, 3.81), RH Matt Miller (1-0, 3.45; missed most of ’06 with elbow injury, now sidelined three to four weeks with strained forearm), RH Fernando Cabrera (3-3, 5.19).

Hot Spot: The bullpen, which was baseball’s worst in 2006 and the biggest reason the Indians won 15 fewer games than in ’05. Expected to compete for the closer’s job, Borowski had it handed to him when Keith Foulke retired on the eve of spring training. Wedge will have more options to choose from, and there’s plenty of help at Triple-A Buffalo in case things don’t go as planned. With a bullpen, do they ever?

Stat Sheet: Once again, scoring shouldn’t be a problem for one of the game’s most balanced lineups. Only the New York Yankees (930) scored more runs last season than the Indians (870), who outscored their opponents by 88 runs but still finished six games under .500. They also scored more than 9 runs a major league-high 27 times.

Bottom Line: A loaded division will make it tough for the Indians, who must leapfrog three teams – Minnesota, Chicago and Detroit – to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Last year’s experience humbled the club, which might have been premature in thinking it was ready to compete with the big boys. The Indians can hit and pitch, no doubt. It’s the catching and throwing part that bewildered them a year ago. Their infield defense was atrocious, accounting for 76 of 118 errors. Barfield will help up the middle, but the guy the Indians are counting on is Peralta, who looked good this spring after a sub-par 2006. Wedge has interchangeable parts all over the diamond, but will be interesting to see if a platoon at first, in right and left fields can work.

Kansas City Royals

2006: 62-100, fifth place.

Manager: Buddy Bell (third season).

He’s Here: RHP Gil Meche, RHP Octavio Dotel, RHP David Riske, RHP Brian Bannister, SS Tony Pena Jr., RHP Joakim Soria, LHP John Bale, 1B Ross Gload, C Jason LaRue.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Mark Redman, RHP Runelvys Hernandez, LHP Andrew Sisco, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, RHP Ambiorix Burgos, C Paul Bako, C Paul Phillips, RHP Mike Wood.

Projected Lineup: CF David DeJesus (.295, 8 HRs, 56 RBIs, 83 runs, 6 SBs), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (.297, 7, 52), RF Mark Teahen (.290, 18, 69), DH Mike Sweeney (.258, 8, 33), 3B Alex Gordon (.325, 29, 101 at Double-A Wichita, Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year), LF Emil Brown (.287, 15, 81), 1B Ryan Shealy (.280, 7, 36), C John Buck (.245, 11, 50), SS Tony Pena Jr. (.227, 1, 3 in 44 at-bats with Atlanta).

Rotation: RH Gil Meche (11-8, 4.48 with Seattle), LH Odalis Perez (6-8, 6.20 with Dodgers and Royals), RH Zack Greinke (8-3, 4.34 at Double-A Wichita), LH Jorge De La Rosa (5-6, 6.49 with Brewers and Royals), RH Brandon Duckworth (1-5, 6.11).

Key Relievers: RHP Octavio Dotel (0-0, 10.80 ERA, 10 IP in 14 games with Yankees), RHP David Riske (1-2, 3.89 with Red Sox and White Sox), RHP Joakim Soria (1-0, 2.31 at Class-A Fort Wayne), RHP Todd Wellemeyer (1-4, 4.14 with Marlins and Royals), LHP Jimmy Gobble (4-6, 5.14).

Hot Spot: Pitching and overall depth. Since being hired last May 31, general manager Dayton Moore has overseen a major overhaul of the worst staff in the major leagues. But every move is accompanied by red flags. He gave Meche a $55 million free-agent contract even though he’s only 55-44 lifetime with a 4.65 ERA. Moore signed Dotel to be the closer for a team that blew a major league-high 31 save chances last year. But the right-hander has been limited to only 19 appearances the past two seasons because of Tommy John surgery. The once-promising Greinke, who lost 17 games in 2005 and spent most of last year in the minors after undergoing counseling for social anxiety, nailed down a spot in the rotation with a respectable spring. Still just 23, a breakthrough for Greinke would be a huge bonus.

Stat Sheet: Will Yoga cure Sweeney’s aching back? Probably the best right-handed hitter KC has ever had, Sweeney made five All-Star appearances between 2000-2005, a number exceeded in Royals history only by Hall of Famer George Brett’s 13. But back problems have plagued Sweeney off and on since 2003. Last year he was off to a fine start until a bulging disk limited him to only 217 at-bats, his fewest since he was a struggling backup catcher in 1996. But a special Yoga program has worked wonders, he says, and made him feel like a new man.

Bottom Line: If a few of their new players come through, especially Meche, Dotel and Gordon, late-night comics will have to mine their material from some other source. The Royals have lost at least 100 games four of the last five years. But Moore seems to know what he’s doing and owner David Glass and his son, team president Dan Glass, have been sticking to their promise to keep their noses out of baseball operations. Even more out of character, the Glasses have also loosened their notoriously tight purse strings. Besides spending serious free agent money for the first time, they gave Moore the go-ahead to beef up a badly undermanned scouting and player development system. There will be no pennant run this year. But a 10-game swing certainly looks possible. Everyone is also happy to see how Bell has bounced back from surgery last September for throat cancer. He looks great and says he feels even better, his spirits no doubt buoyed by the possibility of KC’s best outlook in years.

WEST

Oakland Athletics

2006: 93-69, first place.

Manager: Bob Geren (first season).

He’s Here: DH Mike Piazza, LHP Alan Embree, OF Shannon Stewart, DH Erubiel Durazo, INF Lou Merloni.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Ken Macha, LHP Barry Zito, DH Frank Thomas, OF Jay Payton, RHP Kirk Saarloos, INF D’Angelo Jimenez.

Projected Lineup: C Jason Kendall (.295, 1, 50), LF Shannon Stewart (.293, 2, 21), RF Milton Bradley (.276, 14, 52), DH Mike Piazza (.283, 22, 68), 3B Eric Chavez (.241, 22, 72, 6th Gold Glove), RF Nick Swisher (.254, 35, 95, 106 runs, 97 BBs, 152 Ks), SS Bobby Crosby (.229, 9, 40), 1B Dan Johnson (.234, 9, 37), 2B Mark Ellis (.249, 11, 52, 2 errors, record .997 fielding percentage for 2B).

Rotation: RH Dan Haren (14-13, 4.12, 176 Ks, 31 HRs), RH Rich Harden (4-0, 4.24 in 9 starts), RH Esteban Loaiza (11-9, 4.89, 8-4 after All-Star break), RH Joe Blanton (16-12, 4.82, .309 BA against), LH Joe Kennedy (4-1, 2.31 all in relief).

Key Relievers: RH Huston Street (4-4, 3.31, 37/48), RH Justin Duchscherer (2-1, 2.91, 9), RH Kiko Calero (3-2, 3.41, 2), LH Alan Embree (4-3, 3.27).

Hot Spot: Shortstop. Crosby was the AL’s top rookie in 2004 and played even better the following year when he was healthy. That’s what makes last year’s performance so perplexing. He batted only .229 before a back injury ended his season Aug. 21. He got a late start in spring training as he rehabbed his back, but the A’s are counting on him to build off his 2005 campaign when he hit .276 with 38 extra-base hits in 333 ABs. His bat could play a key role on a team that has struggled to score at times in recent years.

Stat Sheet: 21-7. That’s Oakland’s record the past two seasons in games started by Harden. The problem is he’s only been healthy enough to make 28 starts. The team is 11-22 in games started by his replacements. With Zito gone, the A’s will have a much harder time overcoming injuries to Harden this year.

Bottom Line: After the A’s won a playoff series for the first time since 1990, GM Billy Beane still decided to fire Macha, in part because of discontent in the clubhouse. Geren takes over a team that must replace its two most dependable performers last year in Zito and Thomas. The A’s already were hit with one major injury this spring. Starting CF Mark Kotsay had back surgery in early March and is expected to miss the first two months of the season. Bradley has moved to CF and Swisher will go from 1B to RF. That puts more pressure on Johnson to revert to his rookie form of 2005 and not the 2006 version who started 0-for-27 and contributed little at the plate all season. Pitching is the strength of the team, with a strong bullpen and solid starters. The division is not nearly as strong as it was early in the decade, meanin