American League Preview
By Jim Lachimia

Eastern Division

New York: Best team money can buy. Every starting position player except 2B Robinson Cano makes at least $10 million. CF Johnny Damon gives a potent offense a boost. Starting rotation could be problematic; Randy Johnson struggled last year, and Joe Torre shouldn't count on Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon and Chien-Ming Wang going a combined 25-8 again…Toronto: Added Gold Glove C Bengie Molina, former A.L. HR champ Troy Glaus, starter A.J. Burnett and closer B.J. Ryan. Have the best chance of ending New York's string of 8 straight division titles… Boston: Lost Damon to the hated Yankees, but the health of pitchers Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke could really derail them. Still, no one else has a pair of mashers like Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, and newcomer Josh Beckett helps the rotation… Baltimore: Spent two months in first place during the first half of 2005, then went 27-48 after the All-Star break. Two guys with upwards of 600 career HRs-Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro-are gone…Tampa Bay: Looking for its first winning season in nine years as a franchise. Enter 2006 with a new owner, new GM and new manager-but topping the .500-mark won't happen this year.

Central Division

Chicago: Surprised all of baseball by bringing home the World Series crown… A deep and talented starting rotation led Ozzie Guillen's bunch to the league's best record and Chicago had more one-run victories than any team in baseball… Cleveland: Had the best record of any team that failed to make the playoffs. Didn't make any eye-popping acquisitions over the winter, but have enough talent to make another run at postseason play… Minnesota: Finished third last year after three straight trips to the playoffs. Gifted CF Torii Hunter missed the final two months of 2005 with a broken ankle but is ready to go. Most exciting pick-up was 2B Luis Castillo, an excellent two-way player… Detroit: Jim Leyland is back in a dugout, but the talent level at his disposal is average. The Tigers were 71-91 last year and don't have the look of a .500-team…Kansas City: Finished a major league-worst 56-106 in 2005 and broke the franchise record for losses for the second straight year. Added solid vets Mark Grudzielanek, Reggie Sanders and Scott Elarton.

Western Division

Los Angeles: Won the West with a 95-67 mark in 2005, then angered fans by sitting on their hands this off-season. The only headlines involved C Bengie Molina and P Jarrod Washburn departing. Still have defending Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon and one of the game's best managers in Mike Scioscia…Oakland: Missed the playoffs for the second straight year after qualifying four times in a row. Managed 88 wins despite trading away its two best pitchers-Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson. Produced the A.L. Rookie of the Year for the second straight year as closer Huston Street picked up the honor…Texas: Finished below .500 in 2005 after nearly making the playoffs in '04. Rebuilt its starting rotation by bringing in Adam Eaton, Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla. SS Michael Young-A.L. batting champ (.331) and MLB hits-leader (221)-isn't well known in N.L. cities, but he sure can play…Seattle: Spent bucks on sluggers Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre, but lost more than 90 games for the second straight year anyway. Most interesting acquisition is Kenji Johjima, the first catcher ever to move from Japan to the U.S.