Anaheim Angels
Manager: Mike Scioscia
2000 record: 82-80, third in West
Story line: One of baseball's all-time hard luck organizations just lost superstar Mo Vaughn to a season-ending arm injury. What's going to go wrong next?
Spring surprise: First base prospect Larry Barnes will get a chance to beat out sentimental favorite Wally Joyner for the everyday role that opened up when Vaughn went down.
Man of the hour: Up-and-down superstar Jose Canseco has signed on to help fill the void left by Vaughn. If he can stay healthy, he could creep close to 500 home runs with a good year.
Baltimore Orioles
Manager: Mike Hargrove
2000 record: 74-88, fourth in East
Story line: Coming off a third straight fourth-place finish, the Orioles offer their most interesting spring training in years. A so-called youth movement will allow long looks at numerous young arms. The status of sore-hipped Albert Belle is also significant. Without him, the Orioles' roster includes only one 100-RBI season since 1996 (David Segui in 2000).
Spring surprise: Luis Rivera arrived from Atlanta last August with a sore right shoulder and faced only two hitters in Baltimore. A sound Winter League puts the 22-year-old in the mix with John Parrish, Josh Towers and Jay Spurgeon for a spot in the rotation.
Man of the hour: Coming off a frustrating 2000, Belle holds the Orioles' hope for offensive credibility. His physical may be the most significant event of camp.
Boston Red Sox
Manager: Jimy Williams
2000 record: 85-77, second in East
Story line: The Red Sox ended last season in turmoil, but Williams and general manager Dan Duquette insist they're now on the same page. We'll see if "Tranquility Base" outlasts Carl Everett's first blowup. The Red Sox must decide who plays third base and where to trade outfielder Troy O'Leary.
Spring surprise: Tomo Ohka is 24-6 in his past two minor-league seasons and crafted a 3.12 ERA in 13 appearances in Boston last year. His presence could lend sur prising depth to a retooled rotation.
Man of the hour: The Sox salvaged their winter by signing free agent Manny Ramirez, the game's most prolific offensive player over the last three sea sons. With him, the Red Sox should at least manage to outscore the Orioles, something that didn't happen in 2000.
Chicago White Sox
Manager: Jerry Manuel
2000 record: 95-67, first in Central
Story line: The White Sox will try to repeat as division champions and prove that 2000 wasn't a fluke. While doing so, they must decide where former shortstop Jose Valentin will play after the free-agent signing of Royce Clayton, with center field his most likely destination because Ray Durham wants to stay at second base.
Spring surprise: Right-hander Jon Rauch could force his 6-foot-11 frame into the rotation after going 16-4 with 197 strikeouts in 166 innings combined at Single-A and Double-A.
Man of the hour: Left-hander David Wells cost the White Sox an up-and-coming starter in Mike Sirotka. Now he must take some of the burden off a young staff that faded down the stretch and prove he has something left in the tank after his own fade.
Cleveland Indians
Manager: Charlie Manuel
2000 record: 90-72, second in Central
Story line: The Indians must replace the enormous run production they lost when right fielder Manny Ramirez signed with Boston as a free agent. He was a liability on defense and prone to mental lapses, but few hitters struck more fear into opposing pitchers.
Spring surprise: Prized left-hander C. C. Sabathia, 20, may not be another year away. The Indians' top prospect has a chance to crack the back end of the rotation with a fastball that hits the high 90s.
Man of the hour: New right fielder Juan Gonzalez was signed for one reason: To ease the strain placed on the offense when Ramirez departed. He must stay healthy and become the same offensive force that won him two Most Valuable Player awards.
Detroit Tigers
Manager: Phil Garner
2000 record: 79-83, third in Central
Story line: Another strong second half has given the Tigers reason to believe they can contend in the Central. But how do they avoid the usual slow start that forces them into the back of the pack and makes their subsequent gains insignificant?
Spring surprise: Left-hander Matt Miller could make the jump from Double-A to the majors after enjoying a productive stint in the Arizona Fall League. If so, he'd move to the bullpen, where the Tigers could use some help.
Man of the hour: Whatever happened to first baseman Tony Clark, who was on the verge of stardom before dropping out of sight? After appearing in only 60 games last season, when he batted .274 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs, Clark reports no lingering back problems and could resuscitate his career -- and the Tigers.
Kansas City Royals
Manager: Tony Muser
2000 record: 77-85, fourth in Central
Story line: The Royals must convince themselves that they can contend despite losing outfielder Johnny Damon, who was involved in a three-team trade when it became apparent he wouldn't re-sign with Kansas City after the 2001 season.
Spring surprise: Outfielder Dee Brown has the tools to be a 30-homer guy. He hit .331 with 25 homers and 102 RBIs at Single-A and Double-A in 1999, but posted a .269 average at Triple-A last season. The loss of Damon might have opened a door for him.
Man of the hour: The Royals are hoping that Roberto Hernandez, who was obtained from Tampa Bay in the Damon trade, will become the solution to their bullpen woes of the past two seasons. If not, more late-inning leads will be lost, and so will any chance of finishing above .500.
New York Yankees
Manager: Joe Torre
2000 record: 87-74, first in East
Story line: The Yankees avoided one distraction by signing shortstop Derek Jeter to a $189 million contract. Now, they must find a way to look younger. Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez are showing age and Chuck Knoblauch is still a wild card at second base. The addition of free agent Mike Mussina at least allows them to retain the division's strongest rotation.
Spring surprise: It's only a matter of time before Nick Johnson arrives at first base. Johnson missed last season with a wrist injury but is rated by many as the game's top hitting prospect.
Man of the hour: Mussina supposedly locked up the Yankees' fourth straight world championship with his defection from Baltimore. For now, he is the New York media's new toy
Minnesota Twins
Manager: Tom Kelly
2000 record: 69-93, fifth in Central
Story line: The small-market Twins had two big problems last season: They hit a major-league-low 116 home runs and posted a 5.14 ERA. Why should 2001 be any different?
Spring surprise: Some club officials believe left-hander Johan Santana, 21, should begin the season in Double-A, but he was outstanding with Magallanes of the Venezuelan League and could end up in the bullpen.
Man of the hour: Doug Mientkiewicz, who appeared in only three major-league games and couldn't escape manager Tom Kelly's doghouse, goes into spring training as the starting first baseman.
Oakland Athletics
Manager: Art Howe
2000 record: 91-70, first in West
Story line: The A's proved last year that a low-revenue team could hit the big time, but they'll have to keep growing to stay on top of the AL West.
Spring surprise: Nobody's going to unseat MVP Jason Giambi, but the A's have another outstanding first base prospect in Jason Hart, who has driven in 248 runs the past two minor-league seasons.
Man of the hour: Newly acquired center fielder Johnny Damon adds a new dimension to the A's explosive lineup, and he's got a chance to hit the jackpot in the free-agent market with another big season.
Seattle Mariners
Manager: Lou Piniella
2000 record: 91-71, second in West
Story line: The theme of this spring will be "Starless in Seattle" following the departure of Alex Rodriguez. Focus will switch to the club's solid pitching depth.
Spring surprise: Veteran Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has a chance to be the second consecutive Mariners' import to be named American League Rookie of the Year.
Man of the hour: Designated hitter Edgar Martinez picked up the slack when Ken Griffey left last year, but he may have trouble keeping his run-production numbers up in the absence of A-Rod.
Tampa Bay
Devil Rays
Manager: Larry Rothschild
2000 record: 69-92, fifth in East
Story line: First thing to do is determine who can pitch. Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman are coming off significant injuries that virtually erased their 2000 seasons. If they are able to mesh with a rotation that led the AL in ERA after June 1, Rothschild may survive his lame-duck status. Albie Lopez returns as the Rays' first 10-game winner since 1998.
Spring surprise: No one knows for sure whether Aubrey Huff can play third base, but few dispute that he can hit. The 24-year-old will be seen by the All-Star break if not in April.
Man of the hour: Alvarez's return to health could make the Devil Rays a surprise team given the rapid ascendance of young pitchers Bobby Seay, Matt White and Jason Standridge.
Texas Rangers
Manager: Johnny Oates
2000 record: 71-91, fourth in West
Story line: The Rangers were the biggest spenders of the off-season -- by far -- but still must piece together a solid pitching staff to get back to the top of the AL West standings.
Spring surprise: Opportunity may be ready to knock for former first-round draft pick Jason Romano, a speedy middle infielder who drove in 70 runs at Triple-A Tulsa last year.
Man of the hour: When you sign for $252 million, you've got to be the man of the decade. Alex Rodriguez has the ability to carry the Rangers to the playoffs, but he'll also have to carry the weight of that huge contract on his back all season.
Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: Buck Martinez
2000 record: 83-79, third in East
Story line: Staff ace David Wells strong-armed a trade by ripping Blue Jays fans. Newly acquired Mike Sirotka will miss the entire season after winning 15 games last season for the Chicago White Sox. The rest of a remade and rehabilitating rotation needs to be cemented.
Spring surprise: Outfielder Vernon Wells proved to be a disappointment last season but his power and age (22) allow the Jays to remain optimistic about his future as a center fielder.
Man of the hour: Replacing Jim Fregosi as manager puts Martinez on the spot. Management expects the Blue Jays to contend in Martinez's first year out of the broadcast booth. This is a veteran team that could challenge a rookie manager, even one as popular as Martinez.