A Johan Santana trade could fill several holes on the Twins, while Francisco Liriano's return would bolster the rotation.

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2. Oakland Athletics. We'll know soon if GM BIlly Beane is building up or breaking down this team that lost 86 games last season. Let's assume he will add to the core; why else would he have been interested in the pre-indicted version of Barry Bonds? Injuries ruined Oakland last season. The A's received only six starts combined from Rich Harden and Esteban Loaiza, while center fielder Mark Kotsay, shortstop Bobby Crosby third baseman Eric Chavez all failed to play in 100 games. If Harden is healthy enough to make 30 starts -- and that's a huge if -- Oakland will contend.

3. Minnesota Twins. One thing we know: Minnesota will have a very different look next season. It's just too early in the winter to know whether it's a step forward or a step back.

Having already lost center fielder Torii Hunter, with Carlos Silva and his 202 innings likely to go next, Minnesota might also be best served to create an auction for ace Johan Santana. But that doesn't mean for certain Minnesota can't contend. They should get three young major leaguers for Santana. And with Francisco Liriano ready for the start of spring training after reconstructive elbow surgery and trade rumors involving Matt Garza still buzzing (Delmon Young?), new GM Bill Smith could overhaul his team in one winter.

4. Kansas City Royals. The Royals have a new manager with experience, though Trey Hillman, hired after great success in Japan, is a rookie manager by big league standards. The team did offer Hunter $75 million but now takes a step down to pursue Jose Guillen, while Andruw Jones looms as a longshot possibility. It also needs starting pitchers who can give it innings, which is why Zack Greinke goes back into the rotation and free agents Silva and Hiroki Kuroda are on the radar.

The Royals remain a work in progress. In Hillman and GM Dayton Moore, they have the leadership to restore respectability to the franchise. Kansas City, which started 11-26, finished 7-18 and went 51-49 over the 100 games in between, is not as far off as you might think.

5. Texas Rangers. Rookie manager Ron Washington somehow used his bullpen more than any other manager last season (592 innings) but still kept his relievers productive. Texas' 'pen finished fifth in the majors in ERA (3.69). But it's hard to take the Rangers seriously as a contender until they establish more than one starting pitcher who can be counted on to chew up innings. Last season only Kevin Millwood gave them more than 140 innings.

6. San Francisco Giants. The worst slugging team in the NL, and also the second-lowest scoring team in the league, will not bring back its best hitter, Bonds. There are just too few good everyday hitters on this team, even if they do throw money at Guillen. GM Brian Sabean must decide whether to try to build a low-scoring contender in the mold of San Diego, or dare trade either Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain for a young impact hitter.