Los Angeles Angels
Manager: Mike Scioscia
2007: 94-68, first, lost in ALDS
Projected lineup: 3B Chone Figgins, DH-LF Gary Matthews Jr., LF-DH Garret Anderson, RF Vladimir Guerrero, CF Torii Hunter, 2B Howie Kendrick, 1B Casey Kotchman, C Mike Napoli, SS Maicer Izturis
Projected rotation: RH Jered Weaver, RH Jon Garland, RH Ervin Santana, LH Joe Saunders (Virginia Tech), RH Dustin Moseley
Closer: RH Francisco Rodriguez
Outlook: The Angels enter the season with big questions in the rotation, as top two starters John Lackey (triceps) and Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) are expected to miss at least the first month. Including Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits, Los Angeles has six capable outfielders, so the Angels may do some shopping. Saunders and Moseley should be capable fill-ins, however. On paper, the Angels have good pitching, hitting and fielding, and Scioscia's emphasis on aggressive baserunning is a plus.

Oakland Athletics
Manager: Bob Geren
2007: 76-86, third
Projected lineup: RF Travis Buck, 2B Mark Ellis, 3B Eric Chavez, LF Jack Cust, DH Mike Sweeney, SS Bobby Crosby, CF Carlos Gonzalez, C Kurt Suzuki, 1B Daric Barton
Projected rotation: RH Joe Blanton, RH Rich Harden, RH Justin Duchscherer, RH Chad Gaudin, LH Dana Eveland
Closer: RH Huston Street
Outlook: For the first time in about a decade, the A's go into a season without a realistic chance to compete for a playoff bid. GM Billy Beane decided he didn't have enough to compete in the power-packed AL so he decided to trade his ace, Dan Haren, and best hitter, Nick Swisher, as part of a rebuilding plan. What's left of the rotation is full of questions, and Blanton is a trade candidate. The team's results this season will depend heavily on the health of the pitchers and Chavez and Crosby, whose injuries last season helped contribute to Oakland's first losing season since 1998. Chavez is already missing the season-opening trip to Japan as he recovers from offseason back surgery.

Seattle Mariners
Manager: John McLaren
2007: 88-74, second
Projected lineup: CF Ichiro Suzuki, DH Jose Vidro, LF Raul Ibanez, 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B Richie Sexson, RF Brad Wilkerson, C Kenji Johjima, 2B Jose Lopez, SS Yuniesky Betancourt
Projected rotation: LH Erik Bedard, RH Felix Hernandez, RH Carlos Silva, LH Jarrod Washburn, RH Miguel Batista
Closer: RH J.J. Putz
Outlook: It's playoffs or bust for the first time in seven years in Seattle. They have upped their already gaudy payroll above $115 million to get Bedard to be their new ace and to sign Silva for the middle of what they think is baseball's best rotation. The oft-booed Sexson must improve his career-worst power numbers in a contract season. He's the key to a power-thin lineup that needs to give the rotation enough offense to overtake the Angels.

Texas Rangers
Manager: Ron Washington
2007: 75-87, fourth
Projected lineup: 2B Ian Kinsler, DH Milton Bradley, SS Michael Young, CF Josh Hamilton, 3B Hank Blalock, RF Marlon Byrd, LF David Murphy, 1B Ben Broussard, C Gerald Laird
Projected rotation: RH Kevin Millwood, RH Vicente Padilla, RH Jason Jennings, LH Kason Gabbard, RH Luis Mendoza
Closer: LH C.J. Wilson
Outlook: Three spots considered needs were filled in the offseason by Hamilton, Bradley, who will play right field after fully recovering from knee surgery, and Broussard. Last year's top four starters - Millwood, Padilla, Jennings and Brandon McCarthy - missed a combined 216 games last season while on the DL. The Rangers went 29-28 after dumping salary at last year's trade deadline. They will have to keep improving to escape the division basement.
- From Staff and Wire Reports