A.L. East

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

WHAT WE KNOW Without RF Sammy Sosa last year, the club was third in the A.L. in batting average and broke a team record for doubles. With Sosa, the team will have a formidable lineup (with SS Miguel Tejada, DH Rafael Palmeiro, C Javy Lopez and 3B Melvin Mora) to compete against the Yankees and Red Sox. The bullpen should be sharper with the additions of LHP Steve Kline and RHP Steve Reed. With Kline, almost flawless against lefthanded hitters last year, and B.J. Ryan, the Orioles could have one of the A.L.'s best lefty duos. Reed, 40, will lend experience to a young bullpen as a setup man.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW RHP Jorge Julio could be a devastating closer if he develops a slider. He will benefit from working with pitching coach Ray Miller all spring. The rotation has several talented young pitchers, but they are unproven. Will RHP Daniel Cabrera and LHP Erik Bedard progress from inconsistent rookies to dependable starters? After RHP Sidney Ponson's legal troubles this offseason, is he ready to be a No. 1 starter? Lopez's knee might not hold up for 130 games, and team chemistry could be strained if Lopez complains of being overworked or if Sosa fails to regain his form of a few years ago and continues his brooding ways of last season. The team hopes Luis Matos (leg) is healthy and consistent enough to claim the starting job in center and that 2B Brian Roberts can hold down a starting role.--Gary Washburn

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

2B Brian Roberts

3B Melvin Mora

SS Miguel Tejada

RF Sammy Sosa

DH Rafael Palmeiro

C Javy Lopez

1B Jay Gibbons

LF Larry Bigbie

CF Luis Matos

ROTATION

RH Sidney Ponson

RH Rodrigo

LH Erik Bedard

RH Daniel Cabrera

LH Matt Riley

CLOSER

RH Jorge Julio

TSN FANTASY TIP

Miguel Tejada is a sure thing. He ranks right behind the Big Four: Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero and Carlos Beltran.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

Larry Bigbie was an everyday player for the first time last year and produced 15 homers and 68 RBIs while usually batting deep in the order. Bigbie has the talent to emerge as a 20-plus home run hitter and hit for average. He should get plenty of fastballs behind Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez and appears primed to capitalize.

BOSTON RED SOX

WHAT WE KNOW This team will score a ton of runs. After adding SS Edgar Renteria and a healthy RF Trot Nixon to a lineup that already included LF Manny Ramirez, DH David Ortiz, CF Johnny Damon, C Jason Varitek, 3B Bill Mueller and 1B Kevin Millar, there won't be any weak spots. Ramirez and Ortiz make a difference on offense, and their confidence rubs off on everyone else. Renteria provides a new dimension with his speed and bunting ability, though the team shouldn't have to run or bunt much. Bullpen depth is a strength. Righthanded closer Keith Foulke will be even more confident after last October's heroics. RHP Mike Timlin and LHP Alan Embree are reliable setup men. If RHP Matt Mantel stays healthy, the bullpen will be among the game's best.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW Will RHP Curt Schilling, 38, be as dominant as he was a year ago? He is coming off surgery on his right ankle. The Sox need Schilling in top form--especially late in the year-to get back to the World Series. Another question hanging over the pitching staff: Will RHP Wade Miller and LHP David Wells be factors? Miller developed a frayed rotator cuff last season and won't pitch until May at the earliest. The fear is that he will need surgery. Wells, who turns 42 in May, has plenty of heart, but his back is a concern. And the team, after losing Pedro Martinez, really needs him to to be strong in the No. 2 spot. Amid the individual concerns, as a team the Sox must handle the pressure of being the defending champions.--Ian Browne

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

CF Johnny Damon

SS Edgar Renteria

LF Manny Ramirez

DH David Ortiz

1B Kevin Millar

RF Trot Nixon

C Jason Varitek

3B Bill Mueller

2B Mark Bellhorn

ROTATION

RH Curt Schilling

LH David Wells

RH Matt Clement

RH Tim Wakefield

RH Bronson Arroyo

CLOSER

RH Keith Foulke

TSN FANTASY TIP

This rotation has issues to be aware of: Curt Schillings ankle, Matt Clement's control, David Wells' Fenway struggles and Tim Wakefield's inconsistency.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

RHP Matt Clement, with that nasty slider, has been on the cusp of being an upper-echelon pitcher. Now he's in the right place for that to happen. In Jason Varitek, Clement has a smart and prepared catcher. And after picking the Hall of Fame brain of Greg Maddux a year ago, Clement now can learn from Curt Schilling. The key for Clement is to throw strikes; walks have hurt him.

NEW YORK YANKEES

WHAT WE KNOW The Yankees have the league's most expensive roster and start current or former All-Stars at every position. SS Derek Jeter, 3B Alex Rodriguez and RF Gary Sheffield are an intimidating top three. LF Hideki Matsui continues to improve and likely will hit cleanup. CF Bernie Williams, C Jorge Posada and 1B Tino Martinez provide veteran presence in the bottom half of the order. On defense, Jeter is coming off his first Gold Glove season, and A-Rod has a year at third under his belt. Martinez still is an adequate first baseman, and 2B TonyWomack holds his own. LHP Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner brought in to help the team win its first World Series since 2000, heads a strong rotation. The bullpen is deeper than it has been in years; offseason pickups LHP Mike Stanton and RHP Felix Rodriguez join RHPs Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, Tanyon Sturtze and Steve Karsay.