THE TIMES’ RANKINGS
Rk; Team; Comment
1 ANGELS
Hard to separate top three amid widening parity.
*
2 NEW YORK YANKEES
Improved relief may be more important than A-Rod.
*
3 BOSTON RED SOX
Enough pitching to cope with Evil Empire.
*
4 HOUSTON ASTROS
Inspired by Rocket’s red glare.
*
5 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
A bounce from new ballpark and bullpen.
*
6 CHICAGO CUBS
Privately worried about Prior’s ankle and elbow.
*
7 OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Still formidable rotation, but major losses elsewhere.
*
8 FLORIDA MARLINS
Talent to prove October wasn’t a fluke.
*
9 KANSAS CITY ROYALS
‘03 sleeper should be better in ’04.
*
10 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Great lineup, but pitching’s still an issue.
*
11 SEATTLE MARINERS
Ability to keep pressure on Angels and A’s.
*
12 TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Right direction but wrong division.
*
13 MINNESOTA TWINS
Playoff streak hinges on rebuilt bullpen.
*
14 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Hoping to fill Schilling void.
*
15 ATLANTA BRAVES
Paying the price of payroll purge.
*
16 BALTIMORE ORIOLES
New supply of bats, but arms questionable.
*
17 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Suspect cast needs Bonds on stage.
*
18 CHICAGO WHITE SOX
New manager could mean new chemistry.
*
19 SAN DIEGO PADRES
Time for pitchers to show pedigree in Petco.
*
20 MONTREAL EXPOS
Still homeless, and missing Vazquez and Vladimir.
*
21 DODGERS
Wondering if Gagne can also bat.
*
22 NEW YORK METS
Asking Kaz Matsui to enliven a long summer.
*
23 TEXAS RANGERS
Yet to turn A-Rod resources into capital hill.
*
24 MILWAUKEE BREWERS
On the road back, but miles to go.
*
25 TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
Becoming competitive in high-rent division.
*
26 COLORADO ROCKIES
Revolving philosophy emphasizes bats again.
*
27 CLEVELAND INDIANS
A youth movement producing little movement.
*
28 DETROIT TIGERS
I-Rod and Ugie won’t solve 119 losses.
*
29 CINCINNATI REDS
Operating the Great American hoax.
*
30 PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Triple A on banks of the Three Rivers.
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