The California Angels are likely the youngest club in baseball, but the Halos are hoping raw talent can overcome inexperience. The California youth movement is led by leftfielder Tim Salmon (.283, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs), the 1993 AL Rookie of the Year. Salmon's supporting squad includes centerfielder Chad Curtis, second baseman Damion Easley and Eduardo Perez, Tony's son and the heir-apparent at first.

As for pitching, Chuck Finley and Mark Langston are solid in the first two spots, but the rest of the rotation and the bullpen are cloudy at best.

Oakland A's -- Last season's dismal 68-94 record doesn't change the fact that Oakland still has some talent. The return (yet again) of leftfielder Rickey Henderson gives the A's one of baseball's best leadoff men, but Rickey will need some help from rightfielder Ruben Sierra and a healthy Mark McGwire.

The A's have the most experienced staff in the division. If veterans Bobby Witt, Bob Welch and Ron Darling find their old form and get some help from youngsters like Todd Van Poppel and Steve Karsay, Oakland might climb out of the basement.

Seattle Mariners -- Two of the game's premier names reside in the Kingdome. Ken Griffey, Jr. (.309, 45 HRs, 109 RBIs) is Mr. Everything for the M's, while 6-foot-10 left-hander Randy Johnson (19-8, 3.24 ERA) is the most intimidating pitcher in baseball, if not one of the best.

Junior should get some help at the plate from fellow outfielders Jay Buhner and third baseman Mike Blowers, while Dave Fleming and Chris Bosio will try to keep this from being a one-man rotation.

Texas Rangers -- This is a new-look year for Texas: new stadium, new logo, no Nolan. But even with the strikeout king gone, the hard-hitting Rangers have to like their chances. Two-time AL homerun champ Juan Gonzalez (.310, 46 HRs, 118 RBIs) paces the club, and he'll get some help from third baseman Dean Palmer and newly-acquired Will Clark, who will take over for departed Rafael Palmiero at first.

The rotation is suspect, but with Kevin Brown in the lineup, the Rangers are guaranteed at least one strong starter. Brown is backed up by Kenny Rogers and Roger Pavlik, both of whom had solid showings last year.