CENTRAL DIVISION

1. MINNESOTA TWINS

Arrivals: SS Juan Castro, C Mike Redmond.

Departures: SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Corey Koskie, C Henry Blanco, DH Jose Offerman, SP Seth Greisinger, OF Michael Restovich.

On the way up: The Twins always seem to have a few comers. This year it’s shortstop Jason Bartlett, whose ascension was made easier with the departure of Guzman and the Twins’ inclination toward trusting players who haven’t proved themselves in the major leagues. Bartlett hit .331 at triple-A Rochester last season.

On the way out: After six solid seasons in Minnesota, Jacque Jones is on a one-year, $5-million contract and probably can’t hold off Jason Kubel much longer. Kubel might have taken over in right field this season, but blew out a knee in the Arizona fall league.

Story lines: Catcher Joe Mauer, who has never hit below .302 at any professional level, returns from knee surgery that cost him the final 2 1/2 months of last season. Born and raised in St. Paul, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mauer could soon challenge Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett as the most popular Twins ever. The Twins have won three consecutive Central Division titles, but haven’t reached the World Series since the magical 1991 season.

At Dodger Stadium: June 10-12.

At Angel Stadium: July 4-6.

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2. CLEVELAND INDIANS

Arrivals: SP Kevin Millwood, 3B Jose Hernandez, 2B Alex Cora, RP Paul Shuey, RF Juan Gonzalez, RP Arthur Rhodes.

Departures: SS Omar Vizquel, RP Jose Jimenez, 1B Lou Merloni, DH Josh Phelps, RP Rick White, OF Matt Lawton, OF John McDonald.

On the way up: Manager Eric Wedge, who once decided he could no longer live with Milton Bradley, received a contract extension through 2007 with an option for the next two years. Jason Davis, a starter, has touched 100 mph with his fastball and has the arm of a closer, if not yet the head. He’s 24.

On the way out: Reliever Shuey, once one of the big leagues’ hardest throwers, strained to get his fastball into the mid-80s during spring training. After sitting out all of last season with the Dodgers because of two hip surgeries, Shuey probably will start the season in extended spring training. Gonzalez stayed healthy just long enough to make the roster, but will start the season on the disabled list. If Grady Sizemore performs well, Gonzalez might never make it back.

Story lines: Ace C.C. Sabathia will start the season on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain. After some disappointing years, the Indians expect to contend in the winnable Central. Millwood, who had elbow surgery last season, will determine how far the Indians go.

At Angel Stadium: April 20-21, May 9-11.

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3. CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Arrivals: RF Jermaine Dye, SP Orlando Hernandez, RP Dustin Hermanson, C A.J. Pierzynski, LF Scott Podsednik, RP Luis Vizcaino, 2B Tadahito Iguchi.

Departures: OF Magglio Ordonez, SP Scott Schoeneweis, SS Jose Valentin, 2B Roberto Alomar, C Sandy Alomar Jr., OF Carlos Lee, RP Kelly Wunsch.

On the way up: Iguchi played eight years in Japan and hit at least 24 home runs three times in the last four. He gets second base and is expected to bat second. Brandon McCarthy, 21, is being compared to a young -- and right-handed -- Mark Buehrle. That’s a good thing; Buehrle has won 65 games the last four seasons.

On the way out: The Giants traded Joe Nathan for catcher Pierzynski before the 2004 season, then acquired Mike Matheny before the 2005 season, ending Pierzynski’s tumultuous stay there. His attitude, penchant for hitting into double plays and sagging defense -- nine passed balls, 11 of 62 base stealers caught -- turned off even the catching-desperate Dodgers. Pierzynski has a one-year contract.

Story line: Frank Thomas will be 37 in May, has played less than half a season in two of the last four, and starts this one on the disabled list after foot surgery.

At Angel Stadium: May 23-26.

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4. DETROIT TIGERS

Arrivals: RF Magglio Ordonez, RP Troy Percival, 3B Dean Palmer, 2B Ramon Martinez, C Vance Wilson, RP Kyle Farnsworth.

Departures: RP Esteban Yan, 3B Eric Munson, RP Al Levine.

On the way up: This could be a breakout year for Jeremy Bonderman, the 22-year-old right-hander already in his third season. He won six games as a rookie and 11 last season, when his earned-run average fell more than half a run and he gave up 15 fewer hits, despite pitching 22 more innings.

On the way out: Bobby Higginson, who once hit 30 home runs and twice drove in more than 100, was in danger of being released at the end of spring training. Though guaranteed $8.9 million whether he plays or not, Higginson has not gone to his mid-30s with grace. He hasn’t hit more than 17 home runs in five years and he’s being pushed out the door by Craig Monroe, Rondell White and Ordonez.

Story lines: The Tigers named 15-game loser Jason Johnson as their opening-day starter, only to have him struggle through spring training. The Tigers would appear to have gathered enough offense to play themselves away from 90 losses in 2004, but need some starting pitching to get the ball to new closer Percival.

At Dodger Stadium: June 6-8.

At Angel Stadium: May 6-8, Sept. 15-18.

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5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Arrivals: OF Emil Brown, SP Jose Lima, RF Terrence Long, 2B Denny Hocking, LF Eli Marrero.

Departures: 3B Joe Randa, RF Juan Gonzalez, 2B Desi Relaford, RP Dennys Reyes, C Kelly Stinnett, SP Miguel Asencio, SP Darrell May.

On the way up: Losing often and consistently has its privileges, one of them being the accumulation of decent, young (cheap) players. Royal management is in love with catcher John Buck, third baseman Mark Teahen, center fielder David DeJesus and starters Zack Greinke and Mike Wood, among others, and appear to have reason. Of course, it cost All-Star Carlos Beltran to get some of them.

On the way out: On a $39-million payroll, Mike Sweeney earns more than a quarter of it, and is due $33 million over the next three seasons. If he is traded, his salary automatically jumps to $12.5 million. Injuries -- most of them back related -- have caused Sweeney to sit out at least one-third of each of the last three seasons, which makes him difficult to trade.

Story lines: The Royals are at least a couple of years from challenging, even in the mild Central Division. So, for Manager Tony Pena and his coaching staff, it’s about development and patience and making do with what ownership will provide.

At Angel Stadium: April 8-10, May 27-29.