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.