SPRING TRAINING PREVIEW

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST DIVISION BOSTO RE SOX

■ Manager: Alex Cora (first season).

■ 2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.

■ Training Town: Fort Myers, Fla.

■ Park: JetBlue Park.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: Manager Alex Cora.

■ He’s Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, INF Eduardo Nunez, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Blaine Boyer.

■ Going campin’: The Red Sox won 93 games for the second straight season and claimed the franchise’s first back-to-back AL East titles. But Farrell was fired after they failed to advance in the playoffs. Boss Dave Dombrowski said he was looking for a bat with power and still might add one of the free agents remaining on the market, including J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Logan Morrison and Mike Moustakas. For now, they are relying on re-signed first baseman Mitch Moreland (.246, 22 HRs, 79 RBIs), and the hope that Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) can be more like the player he was in 2016 (.286, 30, 111). A full season of a healthy David Price, who made just 11 starts last season, will bolster a solid rotation. The bullpen, anchored by closer Craig Kimbrel, remains strong.

NE YORK YANKEES

■ Manager: Aaron Boone (first season).

■ 2017: 91-71, second place, wild card, lost to Houston in ALCS.

■ Training Town: Tampa, Fla.

■ Park: Steinbrenner Field.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Giancarlo Stanton, OF Jabari Blash, INF Danny Espinosa, LHP Wade LeBlanc, INF/OF Jace Peterson.

■ He’s Outta Here: Manager Joe Girardi, 2B Starlin Castro, 3B-1B Chase Headley, 3B Todd Frazier, DH Matt Holliday, LHP Jaime Garcia.

■ Going campin’: In what was expected to be a rebuilding year, the Yankees reached Game 7 of the ALCS led by Aaron Judge, who set a rookie record with 52 home runs. He’s now united with Stanton, the big league home run leader and NL MVP who was acquired from Miami after former Yankees captain Derek Jeter took over as Marlins CEO. New York’s other big move was to fire Girardi and replace him with Boone, who has never managed at any level. Unless more free agents are signed or trades executed, top prospect Gleyber Torres will get a chance to win the second base job and rookie Miguel Andujar will have the opportunity to take over at third. The rotation seems set with Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, CC Sabathia and Jordan Montgomery.

TAMP BA RAYS

■ Manager: Kevin Cash (third season).

■ 2017: 80-82, third place.

■ Training Town: Port Charlotte, Fla.

■ Park: Charlotte Sports Park.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Denard Span, OF Jake Bauers, RHP Brent Honeywell, SS Willy Adames.

■ He’s Outta Here: 3B Evan Longoria, RHP Alex Cobb, 1B Logan Morrison, 1B-DH Lucas Duda, RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Tommy Hunter, OF Peter Bourjos, INF Trever Plouffe, RHP Chase Whitley, RHP Sergio Romo.

■ Going campin’: Coming off a fourth consecutive sub.500 finish that follows a stretch in which they made the playoffs four times in six seasons, the Rays spent the winter trimming payroll. Longoria, the face of the franchise, is gone and so is Cobb, one of the most reliable components of a young rotation that still has the potential to be among the best in the AL. That is, if two-time AllStar Chris Archer and another starter, Jake Odorizzi, aren’t traded before opening day. Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome, an All-Star two years ago who led the league last season with 47 saves, could be a short-timer, too, for the right price. Meanwhile, the middle of the batting order will have a different look with the departures of Longoria and Morrison, who led the team with a career-best 38 home runs. Despite hitting a club-record 228 homers in 2017 the Rays ranked 14th in the AL and 25th in the majors in runs.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

■ Manager: John Gibbons (sixth season of second stint, 11th overall with Blue Jays).

■ 2017: 76-86, fourth place.

■ Training Town: Dunedin, Fla.

■ Park: Dunedin Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Randal Grichuk, OF Curtis Granderson, INF Yangervis Solarte, INF Aledmys Diaz, RHP Taylor Guerrieri, INF Gift Ngoepe.

■ He’s Outta Here: OF Jose Bautista, RHP Dominic Leone, LHP Brett Anderson, INF Darwin Barney, RHP Leonel Campos, OF Darrell Ceciliani, RHP Taylor Cole, INF Ryan Goins, C Raffy Lopez, RHP Tom Koehler, RHP Dominic Leone, C Miguel Montero, INF Rob Refsnyder, OF Michael Saunders, RHP Bo Schultz, RHP Cesar Valdez.

■ Going campin’: After consecutive ALCS appearances, the Blue Jays slumped during an injury-ravaged 2017, scoring an AL-low 693 runs and finishing one game above last place. Improved health will be essential for the Blue Jays, who haven’t made splashy additions. Toronto’s offense will be anchored by third baseman and 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson and first baseman Justin Smoak, who hit career-high 38 home runs last season. Donaldson, catcher Russell Martin, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and second baseman Devon Travis were key regulars who dealt with injuries in 2017. So did right-hander Aaron Sanchez, limited to eight starts because of blister issues.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

■ Manager: Buck Showalter (ninth season). 017: 75-87, fifth place.

Training Town: Sarasota, Fla.

Park: Ed Smith Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Jaycob Brugman, C Andrew Susac, INF Engelb Vielma, OF Austin Hays, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr.

■ He’s Outta Here: C Welington Castilo, SS J.J. Hardy, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Chris Tillman, 1B Pedro Alvarez.

■ Going campin’: Coming off a disheartening last-place finish in 2017, the Orioles have plenty to accomplish if they are to be a factor in the AL East. Baltimore is expected to have 35 pitchers in camp, with the main objective filling out a rotation that currently features only Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Showalter will also be looking closely at a new infield alignment, with Manny Machado moving from third base to shortstop and Tim Beckham shifting from short to third. The bullpen was sound until closer Zach Britton tore an Achilles tendon during the offseason, leaving Brad Brach as the front-runner to fill the void. The staff no longer will be throwing to Castillo behind the plate, so the Orioles will likely choose between Susac and promising rookie Chance Sisco as backups to Caleb Joseph, who moves into the starting lineup for the first time. Showalter also hopes to see DH Mark Trumbo and first baseman Chris Davis return to form.

CENTRAL DIVISION CLEVELAN INDIANS

■ Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).

■ 2017: 102-60, first place, lost to New York Yankees in ALDS.

■ Training Town: Goodyear, Ariz.

■ Park: Goodyear Ballpark.

■ First Workout: Feb. 15/19.

■ He’s Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, OF Melvin Upton Jr., RHP Alexi Ogando.

■ He’s Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.

■ Going campin’: Poised to possibly end their 70-yearold World Series title drought, the Indians, who reeled off 22 straight victories in 2017, didn’t even make it back to the AL Championship Series after squandering a 2-0 playoff lead against the Yankees. Unlike last winter, when the club signed DH Edwin Encarnacion in free agency, the Indians were relatively quiet. Cleveland’s rotation, led by two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, remains the team’s greatest strength and why the Indians should repeat as division champions. There will be a four-way competition between Josh Tomlin, Danny Salazar, Mike Clevinger and Ryan Merritt for two rotation spots. The loss of run producers Santana and Bruce means the Indians will need more from Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley.

MINNESOTA TWINS

■ Manager: Paul Molitor (fourth season).

■ 2017: 85-77, second place, lost to New York Yankees in wild-card game.

■ Training Town: Fort Myers, Fla.

■ Park: Hammond Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Addison Reed, LHP Zach Duke, RHP Michael Pineda.

■ He’s Outta Here: RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Bartolo Colon, C Chris Gimenez, LHP Hector Santiago, LHP Glen Perkins, LHP Buddy Boshers, RHP Michael Tonkin, RHP Dillon Gee.

■ Going campin’: The Twins made a 26-win turnaround last season, earning Molitor the AL Manager of the Year award and a new contract through 2020. He’ll have a much stronger bullpen to work with this year, after Twins relievers ranked 22nd in the majors with a 4.40 ERA. Rodney and Reed will be the anchors, lessening the pressure on the quartet of returning 26-year-olds Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger, Tyler Duffey and Alan Busenitz. Though the Twins could still add another starting pitcher, prospects for the rotation took a hit when Ervin Santana had surgery this week on his right middle finger that will keep him out until at least mid-April. With Pineda still recovering from Tommy John surgery, RHP Phil Hughes will have another chance to re-establish himself as a reliable starter.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

■ Manager: Ned Yost (ninth season).

■ 2017: 80-82, third place.

■ Training Town: Surprise, Ariz.

■ Park: Surprise Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: RHP Trevor Oaks, RHP Jesse Hahn, RHP Scott Barlow, RHP Wily Peralta.

■ He’s Outta Here: 1B Eric Hosmer, CF Lorenzo Cain, 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Jason Vargas, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Scott Alexander, DH Brandon Moss

■ Going campin’: The Royals could be in complete rebuilding mode after most of the core group that won two AL pennants and the 2015 World Series hit free agency. They managed to re-sign shortstop Alcides Escobar, and remained hopeful heading to spring training that some of the free agents still on the market could return. But they are also prepared for a rebuilding effort, which means young players replacing Cain (who signed with Milwaukee), Hosmer and Moustakas. The Royals will likely platoon at DH after dealing Moss and his hefty contract to Oakland late last month. They are also hoping for a big bounceback year from left fielder Alex Gordon, who had arguably the worst season of his career. The starting rotation has jobs open, with lefty Danny Duffy and right-handers Jason Hammel and Ian Kennedy the only sure things.

CHICAG WHITE SOX

■ Manager: Rick Renteria (second season).

■ 2017: 67-95, fourth place.

■ Training Town: Glendale, Ariz.

■ Park: Camelback Ranch.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: RHP Miguel Gonzalez, C Welington Castillo.

■ He’s Outta Here: C Geovany Soto, RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Al Alburquerque, RHP Jake Petricka, OF-2B Alen Hanson, RHP Zach Putnam.

■ Going campin’: For a team with five straight losing seasons and a record that ranked among baseball’s worst last year, the White Sox are generating plenty of buzz. They’re loaded with promising young players after going all-in on a rebuild prior to last season. Second baseman Yoan Moncada and hard-throwing pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez showed promise in the majors last season. RHP Michael Kopech, outfielder Eloy Jimenez and outfielder Luis Robert are on their way in the minors. Other players to watch include outfielder Avisail Garcia, looking to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder coming off a breakout year. SS Tim Anderson hopes to bounce back from a trying season in which a close friend got shot to death. And slugger Jose Abreu, viewed as a potential trade candidate this winter, remains in the middle of the lineup. Something else to monitor: LHP Carlos Rodon’s rehab. He missed the start of last season because of shoulder and biceps problems.

DETROI TIGERS

■ Manager: Ron Gardenhire (first season).

■ 2017: 64-98, fifth place.

■ Training Town: Lakeland, Fla.

■ Park: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Leonys Martin, RHP Mike Fiers, OF Victor

Reyes.

■ He’s Outta Here: Manager Brad Ausmus, 2B Ian Kinsler, RHP Anibal Sanchez, INF Andrew Romine, RHP Bruce Rondon.

■ Going campin’: After finishing tied for the worst record in the majors, the Tigers have expectations as low as they’ve been in a while. They still have Miguel Cabrera — coming off the worst season of his career — and a bounceback season from him would go a long way toward helping the team at least be respectable. Right-hander Michael Fulmer (elbow) and designated hitter Victor Martinez (irregular heartbeat) both dealt with health issues last season, but they are expected to be at full strength in spring training. Keep an eye on Jeimer Candelario, a 24-year-old third baseman the Tigers acquired in a trade last season. With Candelario at third, Nicholas Castellanos is preparing to play a lot in the outfield. Left-hander Daniel Norris had a disappointing 2017 but is still just 24, and lefty Matthew Boyd showed potential late last season when he nearly threw a no-hitter.

WEST DIVISION HOUSTO ASTROS

■ Manager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season).

■ 2017: 101-61, first place, won World Series.

■ Training Town: West Palm Beach. Fla.

■ Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector

Rondon.

■ He’s Outta Here: DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran.

■ Going campin’: This team is basically set after retaining almost every key player from last season’s championship squad. The two strongest areas are the middle infield, with shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve. Correa hit .315 with 24 homers — both career highs — and Altuve had his finest season, hitting a career-best and major league-leading .346 with 24 homers and 81 RBIs to become the first Astros player to win an MVP award since Jeff Bagwell took the NL prize in 1994. The only issue with the rotation is a logjam of good arms. Along with Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander and Cole, the Astros have young star Lance McCullers, Brad Peacock (who is coming off his best season), Charlie Morton and Collin McHugh. The surplus of starters might force one of the pitchers at the back end to move into a long-relief role.

LO ANGELE ANGELS

■ Manager: Mike Scioscia (19th season).

■ 2017: 80-82, second place.

■ Training Town: Tempe, Ariz.

■ Park: Tempe Diablo Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: RHP-DH Shohei Ohtani, 3B Zack Cozart, 2B Ian Kinsler, C Rene Rivera, OF Michael Hermosillo.

■ He’s Outta Here: RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Huston Street, RHP Andrew Bailey, RHP Jesse Chavez, 3B Yunel Escobar, RHP Bud Norris, INF Cliff Pennington, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, 2B Brandon Phillips, OF Ben Revere.

■ Going campin’: The Angels have reached the postseason once in the last eight years, but the arrival of Ohtani to pair with perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout makes them one of the most compelling teams in baseball. Ohtani chose to sign in December after five brilliant seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where his 42-15 record with a 2.52 ERA and .286 batting average earned him the moniker“the Japanese Babe Ruth.”While he has the potential to become the kind of two-way star the sport has not seen in decades, the Angels’ initial focus is on using Ohtani to shore up their pitching, which tied for 27th in quality starts last season. The Angels could use a six-man rotation after injuries decimated the team each of the last two seasons.

SEATTLE MARINERS

■ Manager: Scott Servais (third season).

■ 2017: 78-84, tied for third place.

■ Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.

■ Park: Peoria Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 15/20.

■ He’s Here: CF Dee Gordon, 1B Ryon Healy, RHP Juan Nicasio, RHP Mike Morin, INF-OF Andrew Romine.

■ He’s Outta Here: OF Jarrod Dyson, LHP Drew Smyly, 1B Danny Valencia, 1B Yonder Alonso, C Carlos Ruiz, RHP Yovani Gallardo, RHP Emilio Pagan.

■ Going campin’: The Mariners are in a strange position. They’re probably not going to be able to catch the Astros in the AL West, but they might have enough talent to contend for a wild card. It will all depend on the pitching staff and what happens in a rotation filled with question marks. Can James Paxton stay healthy? Can Mike Leake replicate what he showed last season after being traded from St. Louis? What kind of Felix Hernandez shows up for spring training? Seattle used a major league-record 40 pitchers last year and would like to avoid a repeat performance. If the Mariners can find stability on the pitching staff, the everyday lineup should be solid thanks to the additions of Gordon and Healy to go with Jean Segura, Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano. Cruz is entering the final year of a contract he’s outperformed to date. Gordon’s transition to center field will be closely watched in the spring.

TEXA RANGERS

■ Manager: Jeff Banister (fourth season).

■ 2017: 78-84, tied for third place.

■ Training Town: Surprise, Ariz.

■ Park: Surprise Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 15/20.

■ He’s Here: LHP Mike Minor, LHP Matt Moore, RHP Doug Fister, RHP Bartolo Colon, INF Darwin Barney, LHP Jon Niese.

■ He’s Outta Here: 1B-DH Mike Napoli, CF Carlos Gomez, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP A.J. Griffin.

■ Going campin’: AL West champs in each of Banister’s first two seasons, the Rangers are coming off their second losing season in nine years. Instead of spending in free agency to reunite with ace Yu Darvish, Texas signed Fister and Minor, and got Moore in a trade from the Giants. Colon, 44, was added late on a minor league deal. With returners Cole Hamels and Martin Perez already penciled in, there could be a very left-leaning rotation. The bullpen was unreliable last year with 21 blown saves and a 4.76 ERA. Young lefty Alex Claudio had 11 saves after the AllStar break, but Texas will also look at other closer options, including a healthy Jake Diekman. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, now a member of the 3,000-hit club, is back for his 21st season, and shortstop Elvis Andrus, 29, goes into his 10th. Joey Gallo hit 41 homers while playing three positions, but could now become the primary first baseman. Delino DeShields gets another chance in center field.

OAKLAN ATHLETICS

■ Manager: Bob Melvin (eighth season).

■ 2017: 75-87, fifth place.

■ Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.

■ Park: Hohokam Stadium.

■ First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

■ He’s Here: OF Stephen Piscotty, OF Dustin Fowler, RHP Emilio Pagan, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, LHP Ryan Buchter, DH Brandon Moss.

■ He’s Outta Here: INF Ryon Healy, RHP Jesse Hahn, OF Jaycob Brugman.

■ Going campin’: The A’s showed some signs of progress last year despite a third straight last-place finish. Oakland won 17 of 24 to end the season, improving the win total from 2016 by six games. The bullpen got upgraded this offseason with the additions of Pagan, Petit and Buchter. The rotation is a major question mark but the lineup has plenty of power led by Khris Davis, whose 85 homers the past two seasons are second in the majors to Giancarlo Stanton’s 86. The most intriguing player this spring could be Fowler, who played one inning in the majors for the Yankees before blowing out his knee and then getting traded to Oakland for Sonny Gray. Fowler is expected to be healthy when games start later this month. The biggest question facing the franchise is finding a long-term stadium plan to replace the outdated Coliseum.