Central

	Matt Garza struggled during a late-season callup in 2006 but will need to come through for Minnesota this season. Tom Dahlin/WireImage.com
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Indians: Joe Borowski, P. Borowski became the closer by default when Keith Foulke, expected to be his competition for the job this spring, suddenly retired. The Phillies backed off a two-year deal with Borowski because of concerns about the health of his arm, though he did give the Marlins 69 2/3 innings and 36 saves last year. Late-game flameouts destroyed the Indians' season last year. Cleveland needs Borowski to be good from the start to restore the team's confidence to lock down games.

Royals: Alex Gordon, 3B. No more lineman's jerseys for the guy who might be the best positional prospect in camps this year; Kansas City issued the can't-miss kid No. 7. Only a down spring (or the tactic of stalling his arbitration clock) would likely send Gordon back to the minors. If Gordon sticks, Mark Teahan, who enjoyed a breakout second half, could find himself in the outfield.

Tigers: Gary Sheffield, DH. This should be an uneventful spring for Detroit. Sheffield came back from his wrist injury at the end of last season and showed no ill effects, other than rust. He loves playing for Jim Leyland, he was given a contract extension, he should take to the DH role happily and his teammates will love the swagger he gives them. Great trade.

Twins: Matt Garza, P. He rolled up 185 2/3 innings at age 22 last year, his first full season in pro ball, so the alarming number of hits he gave up in the big leagues can be excused due to his workload and quick rise. Garza simply wore down. But now Minnesota needs Garza, who dominated the minors, to be durable and reliable, especially considering the Twins should temper any expectations for the likes of Ramon Ortiz, Sidney Ponson and Carlos Silva to help the rotation.

White Sox: Gavin Floyd, P. Chicago gave up Freddy Garcia to get Floyd and prospect Gio Gonzalez in what was a shrewd forward-thinking trade by GM Kenny Williams, if an unpopular one in Chicago, especially in light of Floyd's 6.96 ERA in 24 big league games. Now he'll be watched closely because the fifth spot in the rotation is his to lose. Is he ready? Floyd, notoriously demanding of himself, will be considered under trial with every appearance this spring.

West

Angels: Jered Weaver, P. The Angels and Weaver aren't concerned yet, but keep an eye on his health this spring. He will start out behind schedule because of biceps tendonitis, which may or may not be a reflection on the 200 innings he threw last year, 56 more than his personal high, in college in 2004.

Athletics: Rich Harden, P. Now would be a good time for Harden, 25, to prove he's an ace, what with the Big Three, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito, all cleared out of Oakland. There's no doubting he has the stuff to do it (30-16, 3.67), but Harden has missed the equivalent of a full season over the past two years with his injuries. Until he throws 200 innings in a season, his durability will be in doubt.

Mariners: Jose Vidro, DH. I question the wisdom of handing DH at-bats in a big ballpark to a guy who turns 33 in August, whose slugging percentage has been shrinking for four straight years (.490, .470, .454, .424, .395) and who has had trouble staying healthy -- while giving up young players to get him. The Mariners are betting that Vidro's knees are healthy and he can revive his career. We'll see.

Rangers: Sammy Sosa, DH. Sosa was flat awful in 2005 with Baltimore (.221/.295/.376). Did he somehow get better by taking a year off and getting older? He does have hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo to extract whatever he does have left, and Sosa is an extremely prideful player who won't go without a fight. Chances are he'll show enough in spring to begin the season as Texas' full-time DH.