Tampa Bay Rays
2008: 97-65, 1st place, AL champ
Manager: Joe Maddon, 4th year
Projected lineup: CF B.J. Upton, LF Carl Crawford, 3B Evan Longoria, 1B Carlos Peña, DH Pat Burrell, RF Gabe Gross, C Dioner Navarro, 2B Akinori Iwamura, SS Jason Bartlett
Rotation: RH James Shields, LH Scott Kazmir, RH Matt Garza, RH Andy Sonnanstine, RH Jason Hammel or RH Jeff Niemann
Closer: RH Troy Percival
Hot spots: Right field and No. 5 starter. The Rays addressed the need for a right-handed power hitter by signing ex-Phillies slugger Burrell, but right field will be a platoon with Gross and Gabe Kapler. Top pitching prospect David Price will start in minors.
Boston Red Sox
2008: 95-67, 2nd place, wild card
Manager: Terry Francona, 6th year
Projected lineup: CF Jacoby Ellsbury, 2B Dustin Pedroia, DH David Ortiz, 1B Kevin Youkilis, RF J.D. Drew, LF Jason Bay, 3B Mike Lowell, C Jason Varitek, SS Jed Lowrie
Rotation: RH Josh Beckett, LH Jon Lester, RH Daisuke Matsuzaka , RH Tim Wakefield, RH Brad Penny
Closer: RH Jonathan Papelbon
Hot spots: Third base and shortstop. Lowell was sidelined at the end of last season with a hip injury and had surgery in October. If there’s a setback, Youkilis will move over from first base. Lowrie won the shortstop competition by default when Julio Lugo got hurt
New York Yankees
2008: 89-73, third place
Manager: Joe Girardi, 2nd year
Projected lineup: SS Derek Jeter, LF Johnny Damon, 1B Mark Teixeira, 3B Alex Rodriguez, DH Hideki Matsui, C Jorge Posada, 2B Robinson Cano, RF Xavier Nady, CF Brett Gardner
Rotation: LH CC Sabathia, RH A.J. Burnett, RH Chien-Ming Wang, LH Andy Pettitte, RH Joba Chamberlain
Closer: RH Mariano Rivera
Hot spots: Third base and center field. Cody Ransom will get the first crack to be Alex Rodriguez’s fill-in at third while he recuperates from hip surgery. With an impressive spring, the speedy Gardner beat out Melky Cabrera for the starting job in center.
Toronto Blue Jays
2008: 86-76, fourth place
Manager: Cito Gaston, first year
Projected lineup: SS Marco Scutaro, 2B Aaron Hill, RF Alex Rios, CF Vernon Wells, 1B Lyle Overbay, 3B Scott Rolen, DH Adam Lind, LF Travis Snider, C Rod Barajas
Rotation: RH Roy Halladay, LH David Purcey, RH Jesse Litsch, LH Ricky Romero, RH Scott Richmond
Closer: LH B.J. Ryan
Hot spots: Rotation and closer. Toronto will break camp with the unheralded Richmond and two young left-handers rounding out the starting five. Purcey, 26, joined the rotation last August and showed promise. The Jays are worried about Ryan’s velocity, and could use closer Scott Downs.
Baltimore Orioles
2008: 68-93, fifth place
Manager: Dave Trembley, third year
Projected lineup: 2B Brian Roberts, CF Adam Jones, RF Nick Markakis, 1B Aubrey Huff, 3B Melvin Mora, DH Luke Scott, LF Felix Pie, C Gregg Zaun, SS Cesar Izturis
Rotation: RH Jeremy Guthrie, RH Koji Uehara, LH Mark Hendrickson, RH Adam Eaton, RH Alfredo Simon
Closer: LH George Sherrill
Hot spots: Starting rotation. The Orioles have settled on Guthrie and Uehara, but the last three spots remained up for grabs. There are several capable arms in the minor leagues, but the Orioles don’t want to rush these pitchers.