New York Yankees (First Place, 2000)

As everyone knows, the Yankees won their third straight World Series title, and fourth in five years, in 2000. They will be one of the frontrunners again this year.

The Yankees are led by a dominating pitching staff. The top starter for the Yankees is Roger Clemens, the only pitcher in history to win five Cy Young awards, and even as he is advancing in age he continues to be a dominating pitcher. Andy Pettitte has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the last five years, and he will be the only lefty starter on the Yankees staff. Mike Mussina-one of the top free agents last winter-is an ace, but will pitch in the third spot for the Yanks. The fourth position should go to Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, but an arm injury in spring training may set him back in the early season. The fifth spot has not been determined yet, but with a top four like this, that is the least of the Yankees' concerns. The Yankees bullpen is also solid, led by Mariano Rivera-the best closer in the game.

While pitching is a strong point for the Yankees, their lineup will not be confused with the Bronx Bombers of old. Derek Jeter is one of the young stars of the game, even though he is overrated and overhyped by the New York media. Along with Chuck Knoblauch, Jeter sets the table for the lineup. Knoblauch has been moved from second base to left field this spring in order to combat his throwing problems, and he is needed at the top of the lineup for the Yankees to be successful.

Behind these two the Yankees are basically an old team. Other than Alfonso Soriano, who will likely be the starting second baseman, the Yankees lineup has shown falling production over the last few years. Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius are past their prime, and they must at least maintain their production in order for the Yankees to win another World Series.

While the Yankees may be showing more weaknesses than in the past, they are still the frontrunners for the World Series title. If the Yankees falter at any point in the season, count on George Steinbrenner to acquire any player available to bolster a run for the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox (Second Place, 2000)

Nothing seems to go right for the Red Sox. After beginning last season as a contender for the World Series, the Red Sox missed the playoffs. As another season begins, Red Sox fans (like myself) have had to temper their optimism in the face of injuries and a lack of depth in the starting rotation.

The Red Sox now have three of the best players in the major leagues on their roster. Pedro Martinez is hands down the best pitcher in the game and is enjoying what is arguably the best run of any pitcher in the history of the game. Manny Ramirez is the best run producer in the game. Nomar Garciaparra is one of the best shortstops and has led the AL in batting average the last two seasons.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox also have many problems. Garciaparra is currently sidelined by a wrist injury, and if he has surgery, he will likely be out for 10 to 16 weeks. Ramirez has been bothered by a sore hamstring during spring training-an injury that kept him out of 44 games last year-and he has caused some commotion over where he will play in the field.

Martinez is the rock of the Red Sox rotation, but it is a little shaky past him. Rolando Arrojo was acquired at the trading deadline last year, and it appears that he can help give the Sox rotation more depth. The Sox also signed Hideo Nomo and Frank Castillo in the offseason. Neither pitcher is a sure thing, but each had a solid season last year. The fifth spot in the rotation should go to Tomo Ohka, who went a deceptive 3-6 last year while posting an ERA in the low 3.00s.

In the bullpen the Red Sox are fairly solid. Derek Lowe had a great season as the closer last year, his first full season in the role, and Hipolito Pichardo and Rich "El Guapo" Garces are important setup men.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Sox were lined up to have one of the best 3-4-5 lineups in the major leagues, but with the injury to Nomar, some changes will have to be made. Carl Everett had a tumultuous season last year, but he was an All-Star nonetheless. Health issues also cloud the picture at third base, where John Valentin is injured, and second base, where Jose Offerman was injured all last season.

Overall, the Sox are an improved team this year, and they should make the playoffs. If the team can battle through their early injury problems, they can challenge the Yankees atop the American League.

Toronto Blue Jays (Third Place, 2000)

Toronto has been a middle-of-the-pack team since the strike in 1994-95, and it looks like they will continue in this position this season.

Carlos Delgado burst out last year, legitimately contending for the triple crown until the final weeks of the year. Delgado has gotten better as he has gotten older, and he is in the prime of his career right now. Surrounding Delgado in the lineup is a group of sluggers that threaten the fences in any ballpark they play in. Tony Batista had 41 home runs last year, Brad Fullmer had 32 and Jose Cruz, Jr. added 31. The Blue Jays lineup is dangerous, but their pitching must improve if they hope to have any chance of moving up in the division this year.

The Blue Jays' rotation is littered with hurlers who have "great stuff"-Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay come to mind-but none of them have fulfilled their potential in the major leagues. Billy Koch, the fireballing closer for the Jays, is the only pitcher on the team that has met consistent success in the last few seasons.

As is stands now the Blue Jays don't have the complete package necessary to contend for a playoff berth. Their offense is intimidating, but their pitching will let them down again.

Baltimore Orioles (Fourth Place, 2000)

The Orioles have very little to look forward to this season. Their best player last year, Mike Mussina, now plays for a division rival, and their only other stars are injury-plagued. Albert Belle is suffering from a degenerative hip disease, and it is unlikely that he will ever play baseball again. As much as Belle was reviled in the press-justly so in many cases-he was one of the best sluggers of the '90s.

Whereas Belle is likely to retire this year, Cal Ripken should have retired at the end of last season. Ripken has been troubled by a bad back for the last few years, and he is now a distraction to the team. His presence has slowed the progress of many Orioles prospects, hurting the team immensely.

Overall, the Orioles have very little to look forward to this year. They have a few young players-Jerry Hairston and Chris Richards are their two best prospects in the majors-to look forward to, but overall their season looks like it will amount to very little.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Fifth Place, 2000)

The Devil Rays made major mistakes in organizing their team last year. They built their team around old sluggers, and it backfired on them as many observers predicted it would. This offseason they made one major personnel move, and it is a step in the right direction.

Roberto Hernandez was a good closer for the team, but on a bad team a good closer is of little use. In a three-way trade with the A's and Royals, the Rays unloaded Hernandez and acquired Ben Grieve. Grieve won the Rookie of the Year award in his first full season in the majors, and his play this spring has been spectacular.

The most interesting development in the Devil Rays' camp has been the emergence of Josh Hamilton. Hamilton was the number one pick in the 1999 draft, and he has shot through the Rays' farm system. It is possible that Hamilton will make the Rays opening day roster, this from a player who has never played above A ball and is only 20 years old. Rafael Furcal of the Braves performed a similar feat last year, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award, but the Rays are hesitant to rush Hamilton into the major leagues. Hamilton will be a star in the majors soon, but it might be in his best interest to spend at least half a season in AAA ball.

Although the Rays aren't going to contend for a playoff berth this year, they are on the right track. The front office has learned from their mistakes, and the team is in the process of turning themselves around.