Hot Corner

The Angels lost slugging first baseman Mo Vaughn, but they still might be the most improved team in the American League West. Veteran righthanders Aaron Sele and Kevin Appier are solid additions to a staff that had the league's fifth-best ERA (4.20) last year, and first baseman-DH Brad Fullmer (83 RBIs in 2001), acquired from the Blue Jays last week, will help fill the void created by Vaughn's departure. Fullmer's arrival also scotches plans to move Darin Erstad to first base, allowing one of the league's best centerfielders to stay put....

If they survive the contraction threat, the Twins may end up as the envy of every other team in the majors. After signing righthander Joe Mays to a four-year, $20 million deal last week, Minnesota has its top three starters (lefthander Eric Milton and righthander Brad Radke are the others) locked up at least through 2004. The trio won 47 games last season. Only the A's, Mariners and Yankees, all postseason clubs, had more successful threesomes in the American League in 2001.