Chicago White Sox
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
2007: 72-90, fourth
Projected lineup: CF Jerry Owens, LF Nick Swisher, 1B Paul Konerko, DH Jim Thome, RF Jermaine Dye, C A.J. Pierzynski, 3B Joe Crede, SS Orlando Cabrera, 2B Juan Uribe
Projected rotation: LH Mark Buehrle, RH Javier Vazquez, LH John Danks, RH Jose Contreras, RH Gavin Floyd
Closer: RH Bobby Jenks
Outlook: The White Sox struck out on several free agents in the offseason, so instead of making splashy moves, they retooled. They acquired Swisher from Oakland and reworked the bullpen, which went 19-25 with a 5.49 ERA and 23 blown saves in'07. The offense was MIA last year - Chicago was outscored 839-693, the largest run differential (146) for the team since 1976, struck out a club-record 1,149 times and posted a .246 average. The White Sox also must figure out their third-base situation. Josh Fields, who hit 23 home runs in 100 games last year, will start the year in the minors after the team was unable to trade Crede.

Cleveland Indians
Manager: Eric Wedge
2007: 96-66, first, lost in ALCS
Projected lineup: CF Grady Sizemore, 3B Casey Blake, DH Travis Hafner, C Victor Martinez, 1B Ryan Garko, LF Jason Michaels, SS Jhonny Peralta, RF Franklin Gutierrez, 2B Asdrubal Cabrera
Projected rotation: LH C.C. Sabathia, RH Fausto Carmona, RH Jake Westbrook, LH Cliff Lee, RH Paul Byrd
Closer: RH Joe Borowski
Outlook: Although they claim to have moved on, the pain of last October still lingers for the Indians, who were arguably baseball's second-best team behind Boston. The offense can improve with more clutch hitting - Cleveland finished sixth in the AL in runs (811) despite batting just .255 with runners in scoring position. Hafner never found his groove during the regular season and it carried over into October, when he batted .148 with 12 strikeouts in 27 at-bats. Cy Young Award winner Sabathia, who can be a free agent at season's end, and Carmona form a formidable 1-2 punch.

Detroit Tigers
Manager: Jim Leyland
2007: 88-74, second
Projected lineup: CF Curtis Granderson, 2B Placido Polanco, DH Gary Sheffield, RF Magglio Ordonez, 3B Miguel Cabrera, 1B Carlos Guillen, SS Edgar Renteria, C Ivan Rodriguez,
LF Jacque Jones
Projected rotation: RH Justin Verlander (Goochland), LH Kenny Rogers, RH Jeremy Bonderman, LH Dontrelle Willis, LH Nate Robertson
Closer: RH Todd Jones
Outlook: If the Tigers don't make the playoffs - no easy feat in the AL - they and their fans will consider the season a failure. They appear to have baseball's best lineup with the additions of Cabrera, Renteria and Jacque Jones. Their rotation looks capable, led by Verlander. The bullpen, however, could be a problem. Todd Jones is 40, and isn't overpowering. Two relievers who are - Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney - will start the year on the DL because of shoulder injuries.

Kansas City Royals
Manager: Trey Hillman
2007: 69-93, last
Projected lineup: CF David DeJesus, 2B Mark Grudzielanek, LF Mark Teahen, RF Jose Guillen, 3B Alex Gordon, DH Billy Butler, 1B Ross Gload, C John Buck, SS Tony Pena Jr.
Projected rotation: RH Gil Meche, RH Brian Bannister, RH Zack Greinke, LH John Bale, RH Brett Tomko
Closer: RH Joakim Soria
Outlook: The big addition for the Royals is Hillman, the only manager in the major leagues who didn't play or coach in the bigs. Hillman was a huge success during a five-year stint managing in Japan. Hillman, who proved in spring training that he won't put up with laziness or inattention to detail, has a very young club. The Royals had four promising rookies last year. But will Butler, Gordon, Bannister and Soria continue to progress? Last year's club was last in the league by far with 102 home runs and lacked team speed. Those areas must improve if Kansas City is to avoid a fifth straight last-place finish.

Minnesota Twins
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
2007: 79-83, third
Projected lineup: CF Carlos Gomez, C Joe Mauer, RF Michael Cuddyer (Chesapeake), 1B Justin Morneau, LF Delmon Young, DH Jason Kubel, 3B Mike Lamb, 2B Brendan Harris, SS Adam Everett
Projected rotation: RH Livan Hernandez, RH Scott Baker, RH Boof Bonser, LH Francisco Liriano, RH Nick Blackburn
Closer: RH Joe Nathan
Outlook: The Twins were in the news as much as any team in baseball this winter, which culminated with the long-awaited trade of two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to the Mets. He leaves a huge hole in a rotation that will welcome back Liriano, provided he's strong enough after his Tommy John procedure nearly 17 months ago. Even with a healthy Liriano, starting pitching will be a question as a handful of unproven young hurlers are fighting to fill out the rotation. The offense will miss Torii Hunter's bat in the middle of the lineup, but the additions of Young, Lamb and Harris should provide some pop.