Gannett News Service

The Yankees added Japanese star Hideki Matsui. The Associated Press file photo

AL EAST

Predicted finish 1 New York (103-58 last season, first place): Boss continues to buy up talent. 2 Boston (93-69 last season, second): Kid GM making right moves to far. 3 Toronto (78-84 last season, third): Young talent emerging. 4 Baltimore (67-95 last season, fourth): Still seems to be running in circles. 5 Tampa Bay (55-106 last season, fifth): Welcome to the basement, Lou. Why the Yankees? As everybody in the AL East knows, it's tough to compete against the club with the highest payroll in the majors. New York appears to have too many weapons. Owner George Steinbrenner spent big money to acquire Japanese outfielder Hideki Matsui and Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras. Impact acquisitions P Jose Contreras (Yankees), SP Omar Daal (Orioles), IF Jeremy Giambi (Red Sox), IF Travis Lee (Devil Rays), P Jon Lieber (Yankees), RP Kerry Ligtenberg (Orioles), OF Hideki Matsui (Yankees), Kevin Millar (Red Sox), IF Rey Ordonez (Devil Rays), IF Todd Walker (Red Sox), IF Todd Zeile (Yankees) Managers on hot seats Mike Hargrove (Orioles), Carlos Tosca (Blue Jays).

1. NEW YORK YANKEES

Manager: Joe Torre

2002 playoffs: Lost to Anaheim in first round.

Overview: This is the only team in baseball that has a disappointing season if it fails to win the World Series. The Yankees last won the championship in 2000 and owner George Steinbrenner has spared no expense to end the two-year "slump."

Question marks: Can Hideki Matsui hit 35-plus HRs in his "rookie" season? ... How much do aging starters Roger Clemens and David Wells have left? ... bullpen chemistry. ... below-average defense.

Super stat: Outscored opponents by 200 runs last season.

2. BOSTON RED SOX

Manager: Grady Little

Overview: The AL wild-card berth is a reasonable goal for a team that has the talent to win any of the other five divisions.

Question marks: Controversial bullpen-by-committee plan concocted by stats guru Bill James and young GM Theo Epstein.

Super stat: Outscored opponents by 194 runs in 2002.

3. TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Manager: Carlos Tosca

Overview: They haven't made the playoffs since winning back-to-back World Series in 1992-93. The Blue Jays have some impressive young talent in the starting lineup, but not enough pitching. Question marks: Rest of the starting rotation after pitching ace Roy Halladay. ... frugal management.

Super stat: Attendance has plunged from 4 million in 1993 to 1.6 million last season.

4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Manager: Mike Hargrove

Overview: Last year's O's aren't nearly as good as their surprising 63-63 record on Aug. 23 or as bad as their 4-32 finish. Beating out Toronto for third place would be a reasonable goal this season. Question marks: Rest of the starting rotation after Rodrigo Lopez. ... lack of overall power. ... 1B David Segui's injuries. ... How much longer will the organization's negative image scare off potential big-name free agents?

Super stat: Major League-worst 14-31 in day games.

5. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Manager: Lou Piniella

Overview: The youngest team and the lowest player payroll in the majors all but guarantee a butal season despite the arrival of Piniella.

Question marks: Rest of the starting rotation after Joe Kennedy. ... bullpen. ... Where will the runs come from?

Super stat: Allowed ML-most 918 runs and was outscored by 245 runs last season.

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