Several teams were busy shoppers over the winter, but it seemed the deep-pocketed New York Yankees were always first on baseball's check-out line -- at least when they wanted to be. So, as the season starts Tuesday in Japan with the Yankees facing the Devil Rays, the biggest question is, will the best team money could buy cash in? The crystal ball tells all.

A.L. EAST -- YANKEES
This is a team with enough depth to survive injuries that would cripple any other club.

Some new faces must contribute, especially new starting pitchers Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez, but the lineup is stacked with potent bats like Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui, new acquisition Gary Sheffield. And, the new third baseman, a guy nicknamed A-Rod, can play a little.

A seventh straight division title, the 40th pennant in franchise history and over 100 wins would all be nice, but the guy who owns this team -- George Steinbrenner -- is looking for some new jewelry -- as in another World Series ring.

A.L. CENTRAL -- TWINS
The Kansas City Royals may have the edge over the Minnesota Twins in the field, but Kansas City's pitching has major holes. Thus, Minnesota gets the nod to win a third straight division title.

Yanks, Rays open season in Tokyo Mussina, A-Rod falter as D-Rays rip Yankees in opener Yankees get most of the cheers in Dome Tino thrives in 'homecoming' Celizic: Opening in Japan is ridiculous WP: Baseball's bridge, Japan to U.S. Robinson: Yankees will return to top Yankees begin atonement process Piniella expects Rays to be much better Interactive: Season team previews

Another big plus for the Twins is their tremendous homefield advantage at the Metrodome.

On their way to that crown the Twins will introduce us to the best young player in the majors this season, catcher Joe Mauer, who will make the jump from Class AA to the majors.

I've seen Mauer and he sure looks like the real deal. But he must live up to all the hype that has followed his being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2001 draft.

A.L. WEST -- MARINERS
A strong, deep, veteran lineup will prove the difference-maker over the Oakland Athletics and the improved Anaheim Angels.

Also, with closer Kazuhiro Sasaki having left the team to return to Japan, Seattle has a cash reserve to make a big July deal to bolster an already talented team.

A.L. WILD CARD -- RED SOX
This team would win any division but the A.L. East, where I see Boston coming up short of the Yankees.

The Red Sox, however, have more than enough talent to grab the wild card.

And even if he won't be ready to start the season due to a foot injury, Nomar Garciaparra will have a huge season once he begins playing.

A free agent after the season, Garciaparra has all the motivation in the world to put up big numbers this year.

N.L. EAST -- PHILLIES
The toughest division to pick, but I'll use the mojo over the new ballpark in Philadelphia as the edge the Phillies need to come out on top.

The N.L. East is a division that had a huge talent exodus over the winter, but Philadelphia lost nothing of significance from last year.

The Phillies strengthened themselves enough to where I feel this is the season when the Braves' run of 12 consecutive division titles comes to an end.

The Braves won last year with their offense and there is no way they can repeat that having lost Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez and Vinny Castilla to free agency.

Philadelphia addressed its biggest weakness by beefing up its bullpen, adding premiere relievers Billy Wagner and Tim Worrell.

Wagner will bring the heat and close games and Worrell fills the glaring need for a reliable righthanded setup man.

N.L. CENTRAL -- ASTROS
This will be the closest division race and I see the Astros winning it on the final day of the season.

I like Houston over the Cubs because I think with Chicago's Mark Prior having dealt all spring with an inflammation in his right Achilles' tendon, you have to respect the possibility that this injury could impact him all season.

In the bullpens I think Octavio Dotel will be a very good replacement for Billy Wagner as the Houston closer, but as for Joe Borowski getting the job done two years in a row for the Cubs -- I will believe it when I see it.

N.L. WEST  -- PADRES
The team that added David Wells to its rotation and gets Trevor Hoffman back to close games is my shock pick in the weakest division in baseball.

As with the Phillies, I think the Padres will get a huge boost from moving into a new ballpark and the smart work of general manager Kevin Towers over the last two seasons will do the rest.

N.L. WILD CARD -- CUBS
I give Chicago a slight, slight nod over Atlanta. The pitching and defense are improved and the offense has some new faces that could provide a boost.

A key will be how well centerfielder Corey Patterson comes back from major knee surgery.

AND THE WORLD CHAMPION IS . . .
The Yankees, who find two of their former pitching stars Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte back in New York for the World Series, but who also find their way back to the top of the baseball world.

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