Team previews are listed in Gordon Edes' predicted order of finish.
* Player is injured and may not be ready for start of season.
LINEUP
HR
RBI
Avg.
CF
Kenny Lofton
15
73
.278
SS
Omar Vizquel
7
66
.287
2B
Robbie Alomar
19
89
.310
RF
Juan Gonzalez
22
67
.289
1B
Jim Thome
37
106
.269
DH
Ellis Burks
24
96
.344
LF
Russell Branyan
16
38
.238
3B
Travis Fryman *
22
106
.321
C
Einar Diaz
4
25
.272
ROTATION
W-L
ERA
RH
Bartolo Colon
18-5
3.95
LH
Chuck Finley
16-11
4.17
RH
Dave Burba
16-6
4.47
RH
Steve Karsay
5-9
3.76
RH
Steve Woodard
3-3
5.67
CLOSER
Svs.
ERA
RH
Bob Wickman
30
3.10
1. CLEVELAND INDIANS Manager: Charlie Manuel (second year)
2000 finish: 90-72, second place
Schedule | Team directory
Leave it to the Indians to lose such front-liners as RBI machine Manny Ramirez and veteran catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. and have people say they may actually be better this season. GM John Hart signed the one available player who might actually duplicate Manny's production in two-time MVP Gonzalez, who has had a much more pain-free spring than Ramirez has. Another big bat with a winning pedigree is Burks, a huge part of the Giants' success whose balky knees led him back to the AL. Taubensee, acquired from Cincinnati, is a reliable replacement behind the plate. The Indians have a formidable 1-2-3 in Finley, Burba, and Colon.
LINEUP
HR
RBI
Avg.
2B
Ray Durham
17
75
.280
CF
Jose Valentin
25
92
.273
DH
Frank Thomas
43
143
.328
RF
Magglio Ordonez
32
126
.315
1B
Paul Konerko
21
97
.298
LF
Carlos Lee
24
92
.301
C
Sandy Alomar
7
42
.289
3B
Herbert Perry
12
62
.302
SS
Royce Clayton
14
54
.242
ROTATION
W-L
ERA
LH
David Wells
20-8
4.11
RH
James Baldwin *
14-7
4.65
RH
Cal Eldred
10-2
4.58
LH
Jim Parque
13-6
4.28
RH
Mark Buehrle
4-1
4.21
CLOSER
Svs.
ERA
RH
Keith Foulke
34
2.97
2. CHICAGO WHITE SOX Manager:Jerry Manuel (fourth year)
2000 finish: 95-67, first place
Schedule | Team directory
New general manager Kenny Williams weathered spring storms with sulking slugger Frank Thomas and the Blue Jays, who failed in their bid to receive additional compensation in the Wells-Mike Sirotka swap of lefties. Wells's track record in October makes him a valuable addition to the White Sox, who were swept by Seattle after posting the AL's best record last season. Wells turns 38 in May and his back has been cranky, but he should be a reliable anchor to a staff that needs a return to health from James Baldwin and Cal Eldred. Jose Valentin, a key bat in a strong lineup, agreed to move from shortstop to the outfield to make room for free agent Clayton, a significant defensive upgrade who had no place to play after Texas signed A-Rod. Manuel gets the same kind of respect from his players that Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou receive from theirs.
LINEUP
HR
RBI
Avg.
CF
Carlos Beltran
7
44
.247
SS
Rey Sanchez
1
38
.273
1B
Mike Sweeney
29
144
.333
RF
Jermaine Dye
33
118
.321
LF
Mark Quinn
20
78
.294
3B
Joe Randa
15
106
.304
DH
Dave McCarty
12
53
.255
C
Gregg Zaun *
7
33
.274
2B
Carlos Febles
2
29
.257
ROTATION
W-L
ERA
RH
Jeff Suppan
10-9
4.94
LH
Jose Rosado
2-2
5.86
RH
Blake Stein
8-5
4.68
RH
Mac Suzuki
8-10
4.34
RH
Brian Meadows
13-10
5.13
CLOSER
Svs.
ERA
RH
Roberto Hernandez
32
3.19
3. KANSAS CITY ROYALS Manager: Tony Muser (fifth season)
2000 finish: 77-85, fourth place
Schedule | Team directory
GM Allard Baird, the New Hampshire native, knew budget constraints would prevent him from keeping OF Johnny Damon, so he landed much-needed closer Hernandez from the Devil Rays in a three-way deal that sent Damon to the A's. A successful return by Beltran, who has had a good spring, and a splashy debut by rookie OF Dee Brown will help compensate for Damon's loss, especially if Febles can slide into Damon's leadoff spot. Sweeney and Dye are terrific run-producers, but the Royals are weak behind the plate and the starting rotation desperately needs healthy comebacks from Rosado (very iffy) and Suzuki.
LINEUP
HR
RBI
Avg.
SS
Cristian Guzman
8
54
.247
2B
Luis Rivas
0
6
.310
RF
Matt Lawton
13
88
.305
DH
David Ortiz
10
63
.282
1B
Torii Hunter
5
44
.280
LF
Jacque Jones
19
76
.285
3B
Corey Koskie
9
65
.300
1B
Doug Mientkiewicz
0
4
.429
C
A.J. Pierzynski
2
11
.307
ROTATION
W-L
ERA
RH
Brad Radke
12-16
4.45
LH
Eric Milton
13-10
4.86
LH
Mark Redman
12-9
4.76
RH
Matt Kinney
2-2
5.10
RH
Joe Mays
7-15
5.56
CLOSER
Svs.
ERA
RH
LaTroy Hawkins
14
3.39
4. MINNESOTA TWINS Manager: Tom Kelly (16th year)
2000 finish: 69-93, fifth place
Schedule | Team directory
This is a team with a genuine chance to surprise some people. GM Terry Ryan has signed some key components to long-term deals, including ace Radke, top lefty Eric Milton and shortstop Guzman. Rookie second baseman Rivas was hurt much of the spring, but the 21-year-old Venezuelan could combine with Dominican Guzman to form one of the league's most exciting double-play combinations. Kelly, who has suffered through some long dry periods with this club, seems rejuvenated by this club, and has challenged them to play a more fundamentally sound game this season. This could be a .500 club.
LINEUP
HR
RBI
Avg.
RF
Roger Cedeno
6
26
.282
2B
Damion Easley
14
58
.259
LF
Bobby Higginson
30
102
.300
1B
Tony Clark
13
37
.274
3B
Dean Palmer *
29
102
.256
C
Mitch Meluskey *
14
69
.300
DH
Billy McMillon
4
24
.301
SS
Deivi Cruz
10
82
.302
CF
Juan Encarnacion
14
72
.289
ROTATION
W-L
ERA
RH
Jeff Weaver
11-15
4.32
RH
Brian Moehler
12-9
4.50
RH
Dave Mlicki
6-11
5.58
RH
Chris Holt
8-16
5.35
RH
Steve Sparks
7-5
4.07
CLOSER
Svs.
ERA
RH
Todd Jones
42
3.52
4. DETROIT TIGERS Manager: Phil Garner (second season)
2000 finish: 79-83, third place
Schedule | Team directory
The Tigers gambled last year and lost when they traded for Juan Gonzalez in his walk year, as Gonzalez turned down an eight-year, $140 million offer. Owner Mike Ilitch has tightened his budget since, and the Tigers are now opting for speed with the acquisition of Cedeno from Houston. They will miss the defense of Brad Ausmus behind the plate, especially with a pitching staff still finding its way. Detroit is looking to 24-year-old righthander Weaver to lead a staff that has little behind him. Defense is shaky all around, but the Tigers will score runs with Clark, Higginson, and Palmer.
Leave it to the Indians to lose such front-liners as RBI machine Manny Ramirez and veteran catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. and have people say they may actually be better this season. GM John Hart signed the one available player who might actually duplicate Manny's production in two-time MVP Gonzalez, who has had a much more pain-free spring than Ramirez has. Another big bat with a winning pedigree is Burks, a huge part of the Giants' success whose balky knees led him back to the AL. Taubensee, acquired from Cincinnati, is a reliable replacement behind the plate. The Indians have a formidable 1-2-3 in Finley, Burba, and Colon.
New general manager Kenny Williams weathered spring storms with sulking slugger Frank Thomas and the Blue Jays, who failed in their bid to receive additional compensation in the Wells-Mike Sirotka swap of lefties. Wells's track record in October makes him a valuable addition to the White Sox, who were swept by Seattle after posting the AL's best record last season. Wells turns 38 in May and his back has been cranky, but he should be a reliable anchor to a staff that needs a return to health from James Baldwin and Cal Eldred. Jose Valentin, a key bat in a strong lineup, agreed to move from shortstop to the outfield to make room for free agent Clayton, a significant defensive upgrade who had no place to play after Texas signed A-Rod. Manuel gets the same kind of respect from his players that Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou receive from theirs.
GM Allard Baird, the New Hampshire native, knew budget constraints would prevent him from keeping OF Johnny Damon, so he landed much-needed closer Hernandez from the Devil Rays in a three-way deal that sent Damon to the A's. A successful return by Beltran, who has had a good spring, and a splashy debut by rookie OF Dee Brown will help compensate for Damon's loss, especially if Febles can slide into Damon's leadoff spot. Sweeney and Dye are terrific run-producers, but the Royals are weak behind the plate and the starting rotation desperately needs healthy comebacks from Rosado (very iffy) and Suzuki.
This is a team with a genuine chance to surprise some people. GM Terry Ryan has signed some key components to long-term deals, including ace Radke, top lefty Eric Milton and shortstop Guzman. Rookie second baseman Rivas was hurt much of the spring, but the 21-year-old Venezuelan could combine with Dominican Guzman to form one of the league's most exciting double-play combinations. Kelly, who has suffered through some long dry periods with this club, seems rejuvenated by this club, and has challenged them to play a more fundamentally sound game this season. This could be a .500 club.
The Tigers gambled last year and lost when they traded for Juan Gonzalez in his walk year, as Gonzalez turned down an eight-year, $140 million offer. Owner Mike Ilitch has tightened his budget since, and the Tigers are now opting for speed with the acquisition of Cedeno from Houston. They will miss the defense of Brad Ausmus behind the plate, especially with a pitching staff still finding its way. Detroit is looking to 24-year-old righthander Weaver to lead a staff that has little behind him. Defense is shaky all around, but the Tigers will score runs with Clark, Higginson, and Palmer.