AMERICAN LEAGUE.

Anaheim

WALLY WORLD II: It will be the starting first base job or bust for veteran Wally Joyner, who signed an incentive-laden contract to return to the Angels as the likely replacement for the injured Mo Vaughn. Joyner made it clear that if he doesn't win the job in spring training, he will retire after a 15-year career that began in Anaheim. Joyner has limited power and does not run very well, but he could be a good fit in the second spot because of his line-drive stroke and his ability to make contact. Defensively, he is solid but not spectacular.

PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: The team has struggled to produce top-of-the-rotation starting pitchers in recent years, but help could be on the way. LHP Joe Torres has a great curveball and likely will start at Class A this season. RHP Chris Bootcheck is polished and could start at Class AA. OF Juan Tolentino, 1B Larry Barnes and SS Wilmy Caceres are ready defensively but not offensively. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

RICHARD COULD GET CALL: Manager Mike Hargrove still insists Albert Belle, who has a degenerative hip condition, will be the team's right fielder until it has been proved otherwise. But if Belle can't play right, Chris Richard could get most of the playing time there. Richard was acquired in July from the Cardinals in the Mike Timlin trade. He had played first base in the Cardinals' farm system and played there for the Orioles the last two months of the season, but he is comfortable as an outfielder.

PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: The best talent is a year or two away from being major league-ready. Keith Reed is a five-tool outfielder who will start this season in Class A but might arrive in 2002. SS Ed Rogers and LHP Richard Stahl also could be in the majors by 2002. A plethora of draft picks in 1999 and the salary purge of 2000 have allowed the Orioles to load up on talented young pitchers. The best among these, in addition to Stahl, are RHPs Luis Rivera and Beau Hale. --Dave Sheinin

Boston