AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEWS

AL EAST

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

How they look: The team has a new general manager and manager. Mike Elias and Brandon Hyde replace Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter, who both were dismissed after a franchise- record 115 losses. The team has many of the same players from last year. Little improvement is likely.

X factor: No one can make them a contender, but if Chris Davis, who had a rough spring, can get hot, at least that will give them a power threat in the middle of the lineup.

Manager watch: If Hyde somehow manages to lose fewer than 100 games in his first season, it will be considered a great accomplishment.

BOSTON RED SOX

How they look: No World Series winner has repeated since the Yankees in 19982000, but the Red Sox return most of the roster from the team that won a club-record 108 games — including LHP Chris Sale, who got a five-year, $145 million contract extension. One notable departure, though, is closer Craig Kimbrel, who had 42 saves in 2018.

X factor: The Red Sox haven’t replaced Kimbrel. The closer duties likely will be shared by Matt Barnes , who has two major league saves in his five-season career (one each in 2016 and 2017), and Ryan Brasier ,who has none and has pitched a total of 422⁄3 innings in 2013 and 2018.

Manager watch: After leading the team to a World Series title in his first season, Alex Cora is comfortably ensconced in the manager’s chair.

NEW YORK YANKEES

How they look: The Yankees have as good a shot as any team to keep Boston from repeating. They will be led by power, at the plate and from the bullpen. Can the Yankees eclipse the single season team homer record (267) they set last season? They could if RF Aaron Judge, who missed two months in 2018, stays healthy.

X factor: The rotation. Ace RHP Luis Severino (right rotator cuff) is not expected to be ready until May. LHP CC Sabathia (38, five-game suspension, coming back from knee procedure and heart procedure) is questionable. RHP Masahiro Tanaka, LHPs James Paxton, J.A. Happ and RHP Luis Cessa will have to step up.

Manager watch: Aaron Boone led the Yankees to 100 wins in his first season before they fell to Boston in the ALDS. The expectations are high, but his job is secure.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

How they look: After surprising baseball last season, the Rays will continue their unorthodox approach to roster management with opening starting pitchers, rotating leadoff hitters and lineup spots, and mixing and matching on the field.

X factor: Managing the rotation — led by reigning American League Cy Young winner Blake Snell followed by Charlie Morton and inconsistent Tyler Glasnow ahead of two openers — and supplementing the bullpen will be an ongoing challenge for manager Kevin Cash.

Manager watch: Cash’s job is secure after he led the Rays to a 90-72 record in 2018, the most wins of any team to not make the playoffs, and signed an extension in October that takes him through 2024.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

How they look: After another disappointing season and few impactful upgrades in the off-season, expectations are tempered for this team, especially in a division with behemoths Boston and New York and the surprising Rays. But the arrivals of young prospects will keep things interesting.

X factor: When will uber prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrive and how much will he help? A strained muscle in his side in spring training kept Toronto from having to make the awkward decision to send him to the minors to start the season. Expectations are high, with comparisons to his Hall of Fame dad and Miguel Cabrera.

Manager watch: With few expectations on his team, rookie manager Charlie Montoyo will be given plenty of leeway.

AL CENTRAL

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

How they look: The White Sox failed to land either OF Bryce Harper or IF Manny Machado in free agency but still believe they will take a step forward from last year’s 100-loss season with improvement from young players such as RHP Lucas Giolito and 3BYoan Moncada . Rookie RF Eloy Jimenez signed a six-year, $43 million contract last week.

X factor: 1B Jose Abreu started for the AL in last year’s All-Star Game but had a down year overall (.265 batting average, 22 home runs, 78 RBI in 128 games). He hit .301 and averaged 31 homers and 103 RBI in his first four seasons.

Manager watch: Rick Renteria is guiding the White Sox through a major rebuilding phase, and ownership vows to be patient. He is signed through 2020.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

How they look: The Indians are still the favorites to win a fourth AL Central title in a row despite the departure of lineup stalwarts C Yan Gomes, 1B Yonder Alonso, LF Michael Brantley and DH Edwin Encarnacion. Two top relievers, LHP Andrew Miller and RHP Cody Allen, are also gone.

X factor: RHP Shane Bieber had a solid rookie season last year, going 11-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 20 games, including 19 starts. The Indians believe there is room for improvement, and he could make an outstanding rotation, led by perennial Cy Young Award candidate Corey Kluber, even better.

Manager watch: Terry Francona is as secure as any manager after leading the Indians to at least 91 wins in each of the last three years. He is a popular figure in Cleveland and is under contract through next season.

DETROIT TIGERS

How they look: The rebuilding continues after back-to back 98-loss seasons. The Tigers have plenty of pitching prospects, including RH Casey Mize, the top pick in last year’s amateur draft. However, almost all of them have yet to pitch above Class AA.

X factor: 1B Miguel Cabrera was once the most-feared hitter in the game but was limited to 38 games last season because of biceps surgery. It might be asking a lot for Cabrera, who turns 36 on April 18, to return to his old form; he also hit just 16 home runs in 130 games in 2017.

Manager watch: Ron Gardenhire took over last season, and the Tigers were pleased with the job he did under trying circumstances. Gardenhire enters the second year of a three year contract.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

How they look: Despite losing 104 games last year, the Royals are optimistic following a late-season surge. They are going with speed and defense in this era of home run hitting and will rely on base stealers such as 2B Whit Merrifield, SS Adalberto Mondesi and CF Billy Hamilton.

X factor: Hamilton was signed as a free agent after the Reds did not tender him a contract. The Royals are hoping the 28-year-old will be rejuvenated and spark the lineup with his great speed while playing strong defense.

Manager watch: Ned Yost can pretty much dictate his terms after leading the Royals to the World Series title in 2015. His contract expires at the end of the year, and there is speculation he might then retire.

MINNESOTA TWINS

How they look: The Twins have a lot of fresh faces this season in their bid to overtake the Indians for the AL Central title. Rocco Baldelli takes over for Paul Molitor as manager while 1B C.J. Cron , 2B Jonathan Schoop , DH Nelson Cruz and IF-OF Marwin Gonzalez have been added to a revamped lineup.

X factor: CF Byron Buxton went from being a Gold Glove winner in 2017 to spending the majority of last season on the disabled list or at Class AAA Rochester. Now 25, Buxton has reached a crossroads.

Manager watch: Baldelli, 37, is the youngest manager in the major leagues, has a three-year contract and meshes with the progressive thinking of chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and GM Thad Levine. 

AL WEST

HOUSTON ASTROS

How they look: All-Star SS Carlos Correra seemingly has put his back ailments in the past, a reminder that injuries are among the few ways to derail this powerful team. Houston again is constructed for a deep October run.

X factor: The Astros are content in knowing that in the next two years they are built to win their second World Series title since 2017. The club delivered contract extensions to RHP Justin Verlander , 3B Alex Bregman and RH reliever Ryan Pressly before the season after locking up recent AL MVP 2B Jose Altuve last year.

Manager watch: Few skippers have more job security than A.J. Hinch. He is only 44 and blends well with the team’s mix of young talent and experienced players.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

How they look: Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, the 2018 AL rookie of the year, is restricted to designated hitter after his elbow surgery. But the Angels proved they’re serious about winning by giving CF Mike Trout the richest contract in major league history and bringing in RHP Matt Harvey to lead the rotation.

X factor: With Ohtani taking a bigger role at DH, 1B Albert Pujols could be asked to play defensively. His mobility and durability have waned in recent season, and it’s worth watching how he responds.

Manager watch: Brad Ausmus replaced Mike Scioscia after his 19-year run. Ausmus, the former Detroit Tigers skipper, brings a more analytical slant than Scioscia. Ausmus’ communication skills also are strong.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

How they look: 1B Matt Olson, who had 29 homers last year, injured his right wrist last week in Japan, had surgery and could miss two months. While the A’s have a talented and youthful team, depth could be an issue.

X factor: Can RHP Marco Estrada solidify a shaky rotation? The A’s hope they get the good Estrada (2016 All-Star, 10th in the AL Cy Young Award balloting in ’15) and not the bad one (a 5.27 ERA with the Toronto Blue Jays since ’17).

Manager watch: Bob Melvin directed the A’s to 97 wins and a playoff berth after they finished in the AL West basement three consecutive years. Melvin named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time with Oakland and the third overall, signed a two-year contract extension in the fall.

SEATTLE MARINERS

How they look: The M’s have waved the white flag for this season, seeking development of their young players over having much hope of a playoff run. After wholesale changes, Seattle could be in a battle with Texas to avoid the AL West cellar.

X factor: Seattle snagged a free agent Japanese star, LHP Yusei Kikuchi. He showcased an effective fastball and slider in his first start but must prove he can adjust to the majors.

Manager watch: Scott Servais was hired by GM Jerry Dipoto, a plus when going through a rebuilding process. Dipoto has confidence Servais can direct this year’s team after absorbing an infusion of youth.

TEXAS RANGERS

How they look: It figures to be a long and challenging summer in Texas with the club continuing its retooling of the roster. The youngsters must grow fast and will attempt to do so behind a rotation constructed around LHP Drew Smyly and RHPs Shelby Millerand Edinson Volquez, all coming off Tommy John elbow surgery.

X factor: OF Hunter Pence is healthy and can be productive as he enters the twilight of his career. While his physical skills have diminished, his high-energy approach could aid the attitudes of the younger players.

Manager watch: Chris Woodward, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ former third-base coach, makes his debut. Woodward, an infielder who played 12 years in the majors, will be given time to oversee the Rangers’ path to becoming competitive.