Of course, we've had some turmoil of late with the extensive meddling by Orioles owner Peter Angelos, and the expansion Devil Rays have yet to make any real progress, although there are some promising signs. But overall, this is a high quality division, so you wouldn't expect much in the way of panic moves, and so it has gone so far.New York Yankees
In: 1B Nick Leach, P Sam Marsonek, P Brandon Knight, P Jacob Westbrook, 2 PTBNL from ExposOut: C Joe Girardi, OF Chad Curtis, DH Chili Davis, P Dan Naulty, P Hideki IrabuThe defending champs did exactly what they had to do: sign their key free agent, David Cone, and unload some of their underachievers. With Chad Curtis' criticism of Derek Jeter last year after the Seattle brawl and his crass behavior in the postseason, it's no shock he's gone. A bit player at best, he's not really much of a loss. Joe Girardi's contract finally ran out again, and the Yanks wisely refused to re-sign him this time. Two years too late, but they won two World Series with him, so who am I to complain? With the same crew due back again (but with some interesting arbitration wrangling yet to come) there's no reason to think the Yanks won't repeat as division champs.Boston Red Sox
In: IF Manny Alexander, OF Carl Everett, OF Jermaine Allensworth, P Jeff FasseroOut: SS Adam Everett, INF Lou Merloni, OF Damon Buford, OF Jon Nunnally, P Greg Miller, P Pat RappWith the Yankees pretty much standing pat, the Red Sox need to upgrade a little to be truly competitive. Have they done that? I don't see it. One weakness in recent years has been their pitching staff, and they've done nothing to improve there at all. There's still very little beyond Pedro Martinez, and who would bet on him repeating his fabulous 1999? Jeff Fassero might regain his form of '98 and before, but it's more likely he won't.

On the offensive front, the Sox have had a very poor-hitting outfield in recent years, but Carl Everett and Jermaine Allensworth should improve that a little. Overall, though, there's nothing to indicate that the Sox are ready to close the gap with the Yankees.Toronto Blue Jays
In: C Alberto Castillo, OF Raul Mondesi, P Pedro Borbon, P Lance Painter, P Matt DeWitt, P Frank CastilloOut: C Mike Matheny, 2B Jorge Nunez, OF Shawn Green, P Pat Hentgen, P Paul Spoljaric, P John Hudek, P Graeme LloydAt one point the Blue Jays seemed ready to dump salary and start rebuilding on the cheap, but the Mondesi/Green trade blew that plan out of the water, especially after the monster contract they gave Mondesi. What on earth were they thinking? The subsequent contract extension they signed with Carlos Delgado was another surprising twist, especially with all the speculation of a trade to the Mets when they lost 1B John Olerud.

Giving up on Pat Hentgen was also an interesting move, especially as they didn't really get that much. With a developing young pitching staff, it's possible that the Jays could improve some, but with Mondesi clogging up the batting order, I'm figuring whatever they might gain in pitching they'll give back in offense.Baltimore Orioles
In: C Greg Myers, DH Harold Baines, P Chuck McElroy, P Mike Trombley, P Buddy Groom, PTBNL from KCOut: IF Jeff Reboulet, P Jesse Orosco, P Scott Kamieniecki, P Doug Linton, P Mike Fetters, P Arthur RhodesToo frightened to sign Aaron Sele, the Orioles' off-season has mostly been a feng shui deck chair rearrangement exercise. Signing Mike Trombley is probably a plus, but bear in mind he's been one of the most overused relievers in recent years. However, their appalling season last year wasn't quite as bad as it appeared. They roughly broke even on runs scored and conceded, but always found a way to lose when it counted.

The law of averages is probably the O's best friend in 2000 -- they couldn't possibly have as bad a year with luck as they did last year.Tampa Bay Devil Rays
In: C Mike Figga, 3B Vinny Castilla, OF Greg Vaughn, OF Gerald Williams, P Chad OgeaOut: 1B Paul Sorrento, 3B Wade Boggs, IF Aaron Ledesma, P Rolando ArrojoFinally, the Devil Rays have figured out that it takes real players to win games. Unfortunately, the players they acquired are only a shade better than the ones they replace. Vinny Castilla away from Coors won't be quite the same player, not that he was that great in Denver anyway. The there's the question of which Greg Vaughn will show up. Don't bet on it being the '98 vintage.

Any improvement in offense is likely to be offset by the loss of Arrojo, which certainly isn't compensated for by picking up Ogea. The Rays are making some progress, but not enough to avoid finishing last in a strong division.

Overall, then, the division will be interesting, but I doubt the outcome will be too surprising. Yanks all the way.

about the author

Dave Paisley recently auditioned for a small role in an episode of "Home Improvement." Let him know the show ended last year, and ask how the casting couch feels anyway at drdjp@strikethree.com.