AL Spring Training Capsules

A team-by-team look at changes around the AL entering spring training

EAST

New York Yankees

Within several hours one January day, the Yankees beefed up their biggest problem area: starting pitching. New York signed Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million contract and acquired Michael Pineda, a hard-throwing youngster. With Ivan Nova emerging as a rising star - going 16-4 in his rookie year, Phil Hughes could find himself in the bullpen, two seasons removed from winning 18 games.

Tampa Bay Rays

The budget-minded Rays surprisingly addressed their biggest offseason priorities - adding power to the middle of the order and bolstering the bullpen - without parting with any of their young starting pitchers. Barring a last-minute trade, they'll go to camp with David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann and rookie Matt Moore. Free-agent sluggers Carlos Pena (first baseman) and Luke Scott (outfielder) were added without sacrificing anything on defense.

Boston Red Sox

New manager Bobby Valentine needs to restore order to a clubhouse that lacked discipline. After signing Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to deals worth $296 million last offseason, the Red Sox let Jonathan Papelbon leave rather than sign the closer to an expensive deal. They hope Andrew Bailey, obtained from Oakland, can fill his role. Daniel Bard, who grew up in Charlotte and played at North Carolina, makes the transition to starter with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz returning to the rotation. With J.D. Drew gone and Crawford expected to miss the start of the season following left wrist surgery, Boston could open with newly added Cody Ross in left and Ryan Sweeney in right.

Toronto Blue Jays

Sergio Santos will be handed the closer's job, with Darren Oliver and Francisco Cordero taking set-up roles. Toronto failed to add another big bat behind Jose Bautista and came up short in its search for another arm to add to the rotation.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles landed Wei-Yin Chen of Taiwan and Japan's Tsuyoshi Wada, who will be part of a rebuilt pitching staff. Other key questions: Whether to maintain shaky Kevin Gregg as the closer, and if oft-injured Brian Roberts is healthy enough to return to second base and bat leadoff. The Orioles hope to at least avoid a 15th consecutive losing season.

CENTRAL

Detroit Tigers

Perhaps no team will be more fascinating to watch this season than the Tigers, who responded to Victor Martinez's knee injury with a stunning $214 million bid for first baseman Prince Fielder. Detroit plans to move Miguel Cabrera to third and hope for the best defensively. The Tigers have three of the game's biggest stars - Fielder, Cabrera and Justin Verlander - all in their primes. This will be leadoff man Austin Jackson's third season and an important one for the young center fielder.

Cleveland Indians

Without the funds to land any big-name free agents, the Indians' added depth. Derek Lowe was a smart, low-risk addition to a solid rotation since the Braves will pay $10 million of his $15 million salary. Fausto Carmona's arrest on identity fraud charges in the Dominican Republic forced the Indians to acquire Kevin Slowey, who went 0-8 for Minnesota last season. The biggest competition will be between Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall at third. The club will pay close attention this spring to former All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore, who has been unable to stay on the field the past three seasons.

Chicago White Sox

During an offseason that points to rebuilding, the White Sox lost or dealt away their ace (Mark Buehrle), their closer (Sergio Santos), a run-producing but oft-injured outfielder (Carlos Quentin) and leadoff hitter (Juan Pierre). In return they got a bevy of pitching prospects for new manager Robin Ventura. Chicago hopes designated hitter Adam Dunn's first season (.159, 11 homers, 42 RBIs, 177 Ks) was an anomaly and that outfielder Alex Rios and second baseman Gordon Beckham also shake off subpar seasons. Matt Thornton, who struggled as the closer last April, likely will get another shot. The Sox are counting on talented Dayan Viciedo to take over in right.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals upgraded their rotation by trading for Jonathan Sanchez, and bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Jose Mijares and Jonathan Broxton. But that's about all they've done this offseason, content to head into the season with the youngest lineup in baseball. First baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas are the cornerstones, but catcher Salvador Perez, second baseman Johnny Giavotella and shortstop Alcides Escobar showed flashes of brilliance.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins will be even more dependent upon first baseman Justin Morneau, catcher Joe Mauer and center fielder Denard Span to come back healthy. The hope is Morneau and Span have put their concussion problems behind them and Mauer reports fully healthy and in shape. If that happens, a strong nucleus will be back for a team that is used to being a factor in the division.

WEST

Texas Rangers

The Rangers committed more than $107 million to acquire Yu Darvish, Japan's top pitcher. Hard-throwing closer Neftali Feliz is switching to a starting role, a move made easier by the signing of Joe Nathan, the veteran closer. Plus, All-Star right-hander Alexi Ogando is expected to move back into the bullpen after winning 13 games as a starter. Slugger Josh Hamilton's admitted one-night relapse with alcohol during the offseason created questions about his long-term future with the Rangers. The outfielder can be a free agent after this season, but the team put on indefinite hold talks about a contract extension.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels begin a season of sky-high expectations with the arrival of Albert Pujols, the three-time NL Most Valuable Player. He's joined by C.J. Wilson, who spurned the AL West rival Rangers to join a stellar rotation alongside Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana. Perhaps the player with the most spring work to do is catcher Chris Iannetta, acquired from Colorado to run the pitching staff. The Angels must figure out what to do with fellow first basemen Mark Trumbo, who led the club in homers and RBIs as a rookie last season, and Kendrys Morales, who's cautiously optimistic he'll return this spring from nearly two years away with a broken left ankle.

Oakland Athletics

The rotation will be young with big holes to fill after the A's dealt two top starters in Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez and also All-Star closer Andrew Bailey. Left-hander Dallas Braden is working his way back from surgery on his pitching shoulder for new manager Bob Melvin.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners failed to land the much-needed, established slugger to help address their three-year offensive slump so they dealt young All-Star Michael Pineda to the New York Yankees for catcher Jesus Montero, a top prospect, and right-hander Hector Noesi. While Montero's ability behind the plate is still up for debate, there's a lot of enthusiasm for the potential he brings to a lineup that was the worst in baseball last season. The Mariners' starting staff expects to be the strength with Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, newcomer Hisashi Iwakuma and Noesi.