American League: the Yankees again appear to be the team to beat in the East as do Minnesota in the Central and Oakland in the West while Anaheim and Chicago may battle for the wild card. (2003 Division Previews).

AT LEAST THE EVIL EMPIRE IS STILL BURNING MONEY. While many teams spent the winter sipping ketchup soup and cutting payroll, the New York Yankees spent wildly. After out-bidding Boston for Cuban defector Jose Contreras in December, a frustrated Larry Lucchino, Red Sox CEO, called the Yankees and owner George Steinbrenner the Evil Empire.

Steinbrenner, who loves to beat Boston at all things, was so contrite that he went out and spent another $21 million on Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui.

The idea of last year's labor contract was to narrow the gap between big and small-market teams with increased revenue sharing and a luxury tax. It may work some day, but in the meantime the chasm has never looked bigger.

In the American League, Tampa Bay, Detroit and Kansas City could easily repeat their 100-loss seasons from last year. If they don't, Cleveland, Baltimore or Texas could take their place.

Tampa Bay and Kansas City will start the year with payrolls under $40 million. The Devil Rays could be under $30 million. Montreal, major league baseball's welfare child, will have a $40 million payroll. Steinbrenner's Yankees will approach opening day with a $160 million payroll.

Half of the American League's 14 teams will be eliminated from playoff contention before the season starts. That means four playoff spots will be divided among the seven upper crust teams.

The Yankees will win the A.L. East for the sixth straight year, but for the second straight season they won't make it back to the World Series.