AL West Division

By JASON REID and GARY KLEIN

March 31, 2002 12 AM PT

SEATTLE MARINERS

Who’s new: 3B Jeff Cirillo, C Ben Davis, OF Ruben Sierra, P James Baldwin and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, INF Desi Relaford and Alex Arias.

Who’s gone: P Aaron Sele, INF David Bell, OF Jay Buhner, Stan Javier and Al Martin.

Strengths: After winning 116 games, the Mariners did not stand pat. They added Cirillo, Sierra, Davis and Hasegawa to a team that led the league in batting, earned-run average and fielding percentage. Freddy Garcia is the ace of the staff that will get plenty of support from league most valuable player Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone, John Olerud and Mike Cameron.

Weaknesses: Aaron Sele signed as a free agent with the Angels after going 15-5 with a 3.60 earned-run average. The Mariners will try to fill the void with Baldwin. Left field, long an area of concern, is still a problem. Both Sierra and Mark McLemore are on the downside of their careers.

Outlook: No one expects another 116-victory season. If key players stay healthy, however, this could be the year the Mariners reach their first World Series.

At Edison Field: April 8-11, July 19-21, Sept. 27-29.

PROJECTED LINEUP

RF Ichiro Suzuki

3B Jeff Cirillo

2B Bret Boone

DH Edgar Martinez

1B John Olerud

CF Mike Cameron

LF Ruben Sierra/

Mark McLemore

C Dan Wilson/

Ben Davis

SS Carlos Guillen

STARTING PITCHERS

Freddy Garcia

Jamie Moyer

Paul Abbott

James Baldwin

Joel Pineiro

BULLPEN

Kazuhiro Sasaki

Arthur Rhodes

Jeff Nelson

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Who’s new: P Billy Koch, Mike Venafro and Mike Holtz, OF David Justice, C Scott Hatteberg, 2B Randy Velarde, 1B Carlos Pena.

Who’s gone: 1B Jason Giambi, OF Johnny Damon and Ron Gant, P Jason Isringhausen.

Strengths: A rotation that features Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito is the envy of general managers across the league. 3B Eric Chavez is an up-and-coming hitting star and rookie 1B Pena could develop into the same. New closer Koch replaces Isringhausen. GM Billy Beane, who recently signed a three-year contract extension, has proven that he is not afraid to make a trade.

Weaknesses: Jason Giambi left a huge void in the lineup and the clubhouse. CF Damon left for Boston, weakening the defense. Outfielder Jermaine Dye is coming off a broken leg and the A’s lack a true leadoff hitter. They’ll try Jeremy Giambi in that spot.

Outlook: The A’s still have plenty of young and proven talent. If the starting pitchers stay healthy and Koch does his job, this team will challenge for the division title.

At Edison Field: April 12-14, July 23-25, Sept. 9-12.

PROJECTED LINEUP

DH Jeremy Giambi

SS Miguel Tejada

LF David Justice

RF Jermaine Dye

3B Eric Chavez

CF Terrence Long

1B Carlos Pena

C Ramon Hernandez

2B Frank Menechino

STARTING PITCHERS

Tim Hudson

Mark Mulder

Barry Zito

Cory Lidle

Erik Hiljus

BULLPEN

Billy Koch

Jim Mecir

Jeff Tam

ANGELS

Who’s new: P Aaron Sele, Kevin Appier and Dennis Cook, DH Brad Fullmer, INF Clay Bellinger.

Who’s gone: 1B Mo Vaughn, P Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mike Holtz, Ismael Valdes and Pat Rapp, SS Gary DiSarcina.

Strengths: Disney opened its pocketbook and signed Sele as a free agent and traded Vaughn for Appier. Both pitchers are inning-eaters and should augment a staff that already featured young and improving Jarrod Washburn, Ramon Ortiz and Scott Schoeneweis. 3B Troy Glaus is one of the best power hitters in the majors. Closer Troy Percival is dominant. Fullmer is a proven designated hitter who enjoys the role.

Weaknesses: The Angels ranked 11th in the league in batting average last season and 12th in runs and home runs. SS David Eckstein and 2B Adam Kennedy are developing defensively. C Bengie Molina needs to regain his form of 2000.

Outlook: If Sele and Appier have good years and the three other starting pitchers remain healthy, the Angels can contend. But they will need Salmon and Erstad to bounce back from bad seasons and Fullmer to produce as the DH.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS David Eckstein

CF Darin Erstad

RF Tim Salmon

LF Garret Anderson

3B Troy Glaus

DH Brad Fullmer

1B Scott Spiezio

C Bengie Molina

2B Adam Kennedy

STARTING PITCHERS

Jarrod Washburn

Kevin Appier

Aaron Sele

Scott Schoeneweis

Ramon Ortiz

BULLPEN

Troy Percival

Al Levine

Lou Pote

TEXAS RANGERS

Who’s new: P Chan Ho Park, Dave Burba, Jay Powell, Todd Van Poppel, Ismael Valdes, John Rocker and Hideki Irabu, OF Juan Gonzalez and Carl Everett.

Who’s gone: P Rick Helling, Darren Oliver and Tim Crabtree, OF Ricky Ledee and Ruben Sierra.

Strengths: If it’s possible to quietly hit .318 with 52 homers and 135 RBIs, SS Alex Rodriguez did it last season. Juan Gonzalez has returned to the scene of his best years and joins a lineup that also includes Ivan Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro. Rookie Hank Blalock hit over .350 this spring and earned a job at third base.

Weaknesses: Texas ranked last in the league with a 5.71 ERA. The addition of Park will help some, but not enough. Everett is trying to come back from knee surgery. Clubhouse vibe will be interesting with Everett and Rocker in the mix.

Outlook: The Rangers will score plenty of runs, but new General Manager John Hart and new pitching coach Oscar Acosta still have work to do with the pitching staff if the Rangers want to challenge in the AL West.

At Edison Field: April 16-17, June 3-6, Sept. 13-15.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Frank Catalanotto

C Ivan Rodriguez

SS Alex Rodriguez

1B Rafael Palmeiro

RF Juan Gonzalez

CF Carl Everett

DH Rusty Greer

LF Gabe Kapler

3B Hank Blalock

STARTING PITCHERS