THE SPORTS SCENE:

Baseball in the American League East

Here's a look at the new American League East.

There are too many superstars on this team to name them all. The infield consists of A-Rod at third, Derek Jeter at shortstop, a question mark at second (after trading Alfonso Soriano for A-Rod), Jason Giambi at first base, and Jorge Posada at the catcher position.

Second base may be a void at present, though before April is over, do not be surprised if a familiar name from the Orioles current roster makes a home at the Yankees' second.

In the outfield are future Hall-of-Famers Sheffield in right, Kenny Lofton in center, and Japanese sensation Hideki Matsui in left. It was a major coup to sign Sheffield, after determining that aging great Bernie Williams could no longer play the field and will be relegated to the designated hitter role.

Last year's starting rotation included the great Roger Clemmons and Andy Pettite, who bolted for Houston, and David Wells, who signed with San Diego. They were paired with returning ace Mike Mussina and Cuban refugee Jose Contreras. This season Brown, Vazquez, and either often-injured, hard-throwing Jon Lieber or former Yankee Orlando Hernandez will join Mussina and Contreras.

Relief pitching is essential to winning games in the late innings. The resigning of the greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game--Mariano Rivera--might be enough for the Yankees to revisit the World Series for the 40th time in their illustrious history. It did not hurt them in the off-season when they signed durable pitchers Paul Quantrill, and Tom "Flash" Gordon. If Steve Karsey returns from arm injuries, it is hard to imagine anyone in the American League East blocking the New York Yankees from going to the 2004 World Series.

This year, the Red Sox blundered the potential trade for Alex Rodriquez for Many Ramirez when they could not work out the terms of Ramirez's salary. Alienating superstars Norman Garciaparra and Ramirez in trade rumors suggests a level of incompetence on the part of team officials.

The pitching staff became stronger with the signing of Schilling and Foulke. Schilling will join a potent rotation that is lead by Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, and maybe Byung-Hyun Kim or Scott Williamson.

The only other improvements to the team were the trading for second baseman Pokey Reese and the signing of hitter Ellis Burks. They will join a steady Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, and speedy Johnny Damon.

Melvin Mora will finally settle into a starting position at third base. The rumored trade to New York at second base will go forward this season, with Jerry Hariston or Brian Roberts leaving the bird nest.

The pitching staff is young and will probably be exposed early in the season. Young ace Sydney Ponson will anchor the rotation and Rodrigo Lopez will serve second. Eric Dubois, Kurt Ainsworth, and Matt Riley will round out the rotation. The most surprising star in the spring rotation was rookie Eric Beddard, but he was shipped out to the minors.

I have bad news for O's fans--but first the good news. The team could rise above .500. The bad news: the Orioles will probably finish in third, maybe forth place.

The power department is limited to infielders Carlos Delagado, Eric Hinske, and outfielder Vernon Wells. A power shortage in Toronto and a decent pitching rotation will allow Baltimore to compete for third or forth against the Blue Jays.