American League West

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

2003: 96-66, 1st place.

Manager: Ken Macha (second season).

He's Here: LHP Mark Redman, LHP Arthur Rhodes, OF Mark Kotsay, OF Bobby Kielty, C Damian Miller, LHP Chris Hammond, 1B Eric Karros.

He's Outta Here: SS Miguel Tejada, RHP Keith Foulke, OF Jose Guillen, LHP Ted Lilly, C Ramon Hernandez, OF Terrence Long, OF Chris Singleton, LHP John Halama, RHP Mike Neu, RHP Jeremy Fikac, RHP Steve Sparks, C Mark Johnson

Projected Lineup: CF Mark Kotsay (.266, 7, 38 for San Diego), LF Bobby Kielty (.244, 13, 57 for Toronto), 3B Eric Chavez (.282, 29, 101, 39 2Bs), RF Jermaine Dye (.172, 4, 20 in 221 ABs), DH Erubiel Durazo (.259, 21, 77, 100 BBs), 1B Scott Hatteberg (.253, 12, 61) or Eric Karros (.286, 12, 40 for Chicago Cubs), SS Bobby Crosby (.308, 22, 90, 24 SBs in Triple-A), C Damian Miller (.233, 9, 36 for Cubs), 2B Mark Ellis (.248, 9 52).

Rotation: RH Tim Hudson (16-7, 2.70, 162 Ks), LH Mark Mulder (15-9, 3.13), LH Barry Zito (14-12, 3.30), RH Rich Harden (5-4, 4.46), LH Mark Redman (14-9, 3.59 for Florida).

Key Relievers: LH Arthur Rhodes (3-3, 4.17, 3 for Seattle), RH Chad Bradford (7-4, 3.04, 2), LH Ricardo Rincon (8-4, 3.25).

Hot Spot: Shortstop. Crosby has tough hole to fill, taking over for 2002 AL MVP and team leader Tejada. While most rookie shortstops are asked to do little more than be steady in the field, Crosby will have to pick up some of the offensive load and clutch hits that left with Tejada.

Stat Sheet: Four. Despite never having more than four saves in a season, Rhodes became the latest entry in Oakland's revolving-door closer when Foulke became too expensive. GM Billy Beane has had success finding productive closers, going through Jason Isringhausen, Billy Koch and Foulke the past three seasons. But Rhodes has just 17 saves in 13 seasons. He's also prone to giving up big hits in postseason, especially against Yankees.

Bottom Line: Chavez will need help offensively. Macha is counting on a healthy — and productive — season from Dye and hoping Kotsay and Kielty can fulfill their potential. With Big Three aces Hudson, Mulder and Zito leading the way, the A's figure to be right in it in a very competitive AL West race.

SEATTLE MARINERS

2003: 93-69, 2nd place.

Manager: Bob Melvin (second season).