New York Yankees
Lining up
Key additions: RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, DH/OF Raul Ibanez
Key losses: C/DH Jorge Posada, RHP A.J. Burnett
Story lines
Starting five: The Yankees reloaded their rotation, acquiring young fireballer RHP Michael Pineda from Seattle and signing veteran RHP Hiroki Kuroda. Even after trading the enigmatic A.J. Burnett, New York still has a surplus of starters, having to decide how to fill in the back end between RHP Phil Hughes and RHP Freddy Garcia.
Lightning Rod: Boasting a lineup filled with middle-of-the-order type bats, the Yankees need 3B Alex Rodriguez, left, to be the dangerous cleanup hitter he has been in the past. Rodriguez, coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season (16 homers and 62 RBIs in 99 games), says he's healthy and ready, with manager Joe Girardi expecting a "big year."
Down to two: With "Core Four" members LHP Andy Pettitte and C Jorge Posada retiring in consecutive seasons, SS Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera are left to carry the torch, hoping to beat Father Time. Rivera, 42, who hinted this could be his last season, is as good as ever, and Jeter will once again be the leadoff hitter.
Schedule
Where: Steinbrenner Field, corner Dale Mabry and Martin Luther King, 33614
Phone: (813) 879-2244
Tickets: $17-$33
(All games 1:05 unless noted)
MARCH
Today: at Phillies
Sunday: Phillies
Monday: at Phillies
Tuesday: at Pirates
Wednesday: Rays
Thursday: at Blue Jays
Friday: Braves (ss)
10: at Braves
11: at Twins (ss), Phillies (ss)
12: Astros
13: Red Sox (7:05)
14: at Blue Jays
15: at Nationals
16: Nationals
17: Astros
18: at Orioles (ss, 7:05)
19: Off
20: Pirates (7:05)
21: at Rays
22: at Red Sox (7:05)
23: Twins (ss), at Phillies (ss)
24: at Tigers
25: Tigers
26: Off
27: Blue Jays (7:05)
28: at Braves
29: Orioles (7:05)
30: Phillies (7:05)
31: at Astros
APRIL
1: Marlins (at Miami, 7:10)
2: Marlins (at Miami, 7:10)
3: at Mets (2:10)
4: Mets (12:05)
Toronto Blue Jays
Lining up
Key additions: RHP Sergio Santos, RHP Francisco Cordero, LHP Darren Oliver, INF Omar Vizquel
Key losses: RHP Jon Rauch, C Jose Molina, RHP Frank Francisco.
Story lines
Leaning left: One of the few position battles will be in leftfield, where perpetual prospect Travis Snider and rookie Eric Thames are the main candidates. Snider has shown some power but has been inconsistent (.248 batting average in four seasons). Thames improved his defense last season.
In closing: Instead of a revolving door for a closer, the Jays will turn to a familiar face, Sergio Santos, left, a former Toronto shortstop prospect who made a rapid ascent as a reliever. Santos, 28, racked up 30 saves in 36 chances last year for the White Sox. He was acquired during the winter meetings and will be helped by veteran righty Francisco Cordero.
Old school: Omar Vizquel, 45, broke into the big leagues before 3B Brett Lawrie was born, but he could be playing alongside him if he makes the team. Vizquel, signed to a minor-league deal, is competing for the utility infielder spot and said this will likely be his last season.
Schedule
Where: Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 34698 Phone: 1-888-525-5297 or (727) 733-0429
Tickets: $15-$28
(All games 1:05 unless noted)
MARCH
Today: Pirates
Sunday: at Pirates
Monday: at Tigers
Tuesday: Phillies
Wednesday: Red Sox (ss), at Pirates (ss)
Thursday: Yankees
Friday: at Astros
10: Astros
11: Braves (ss), at Braves (ss)
12: Orioles
13: at Twins (ss), Canada (ss, at Al Lang Field)
14: Yankees
15: at Astros
16: Rays
17: at Braves (ss), at Phillies (ss)
18: Phillies
19: Off
20: at Red Sox (7:05)
21: at Orioles
22: Phillies
23: at Rays (7:05)
24: Braves
25: Red Sox
26: Off
27: at Yankees (7:05)
28: Orioles
29: at Red Sox (1:35)
30: Twins (ss)
31: at Phillies
APRIL
1: Pirates
2: at Tigers
3: Tigers (12:05)
Philadelphia Phillies
Lining up
Key additions: RHP Jonathan Papelbon, 1B/DH Jim Thome, RHP Chad Qualls, INF Ty Wigginton
Key losses: RHP Brad Lidge, RHP Ryan Madson, RHP Roy Oswalt
Story lines
Armed and ready: The "Fab Five" rotation of a year ago, hyped as potentially one of the best ever, failed to accomplish its ultimate goal. But after losing to the World Series champion Cardinals in the NLDS, the "Big Three" — RHP Roy Halladay, LHP Cliff Lee and LHP Cole Hamels — hold the key to where the Phillies finish.
Chasing Utley: The recovery of All-Star 1B Ryan Howard from left Achilles' surgery will be monitored throughout the spring, though he might not be ready until May. The return to form of 2B Chase Utley, above, could be just as important. Utley, coming off the worst season of his career while dealing with a chronic right knee injury, believes he can "overcome this without a doubt."
Packing Pap: The Phillies made RHP Jonathan Papelbon one of the richest relievers of all time, a four-year, $50 million deal. Replacing RHP Brad Lidge and RHP Ryan Madson as closer is no easy task, but the former Red Sox star is rejuvenated by a change of leagues — and scenery.
Schedule
Where: Bright House Field, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, 33765
Phone: (727) 467-4457
Tickets: $10-$35
(All games 1:05 unless noted)
MARCH
Today: Yankees
Sunday: at Yankees
Monday: Yankees
Tuesday: at Blue Jays
Wednesday: Astros
Thursday: Pirates
Friday: at Tigers
10: Orioles
11: Tigers (ss), at Yankees (ss)
12: at Pirates
13: at Astros
14: Twins
15: Braves (ss), at Rays (ss)
16: at Pirates
17: Blue Jays (ss)
18: at Blue Jays
19: Tigers
20: at Orioles
21: Off
22: at Blue Jays
23: Yankees (ss)
24: at Red Sox (ss, 1:35)
25: Orioles (ss), at Tigers (ss)
26: Red Sox
27: Pirates
28: at Twins
29: Rays
30: at Yankees (7:05)
31: Blue Jays
APRIL
1: at Braves
2: Pirates (at Philadelphia, 7:05)
3: Pirates (at Philadelphia, 7:05)
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