March 26 (Reuters) - Following are brief profiles of the 15 American League (AL) teams ahead of the 2013 Major League Baseball season starting on March 31:
EAST
New York Yankees
Manager: Joe Girardi
2012 record: 95-67 (Clinched their 13th AL East title in 17 years but were swept out of the postseason by the Detroit Tigers in the AL Championship series.)
Advancing age throughout the roster and a rash of injuries are a concern but starting pitchers CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda, evergreen closer Mariano Rivera and the hitting of Robinson Cano could keep them in the postseason picture.
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Baltimore Orioles
Manager: Buck Showalter
2012 record: 93-69 (Coming off their first winning record and playoff berth since 1997. Lost to the New York Yankees in the postseason Division Series.)
Young team starting to come into their own battled to surprising success in 2012, winning a high rate of one-run games and extra-inning contests, but lack of experience in starting rotation could keep Orioles from building on breakout campaign.
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Tampa Bay Rays
Manager: Joe Maddon
2012 record: 90-72 (Finished three games back of the wild card and missed playoffs for the first time since 2009 despite having third-best run differential of any team in the majors.)
Rays, who still have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, remain a contender thanks to their golden touch with young pitchers and, with a full year from slugger Evan Longoria, should be in the hunt again in the wide open AL East.
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Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: John Gibbons
2012 record: 73-89 (Rash of injuries and inconsistent play had Toronto out of the AL East picture by July and ensured a lengthy playoff drought would extend.)
Slew of big-name offseason acquisitions, including reigning National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey and shortstop Jose Reyes, have optimism running rampant in Toronto. Blue Jays are eyeing their first playoff berth since 1993.
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Boston Red Sox
Manager: John Farrell
2012 record: 69-93 (Injuries, inconsistent play and off-field distractions sent team to first losing season since 1997 and worst season since 1965.)
Red Sox added depth to their roster in the offseason by restocking with some veteran pick-ups, but need a turnaround from their pitching staff to get back on the road to contention in a tough AL East.
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CENTRAL
Detroit Tigers
Manager: Jim Leyland
2012 record: 88-74 (Repeated as AL Central champions, beat the A's and Yankees to advance to their second World Series in seven years, where they were swept by San Francisco 4-0.)
One of the favorites to reach the World Series again given a daunting rotation led by Justin Verlander and a powerful middle of the order featuring Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez. Lack of an established closer the one weak spot.
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Chicago White Sox
Manager: Robin Ventura
2012 record: 85-77 (Surprised many by leading the AL Central into September before finally succumbing to the Tigers and missing the playoffs.)
White Sox lost catcher A.J. Pierzynski to free agency and may lack the firepower to reproduce last season's surprise performance. Unless pitchers step up they are unlikely to overtake the Tigers.
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Kansas City Royals
Manager: Ned Yost
2012 record: 72-90 (Began season with high hopes and an "Our Time" rallying cry but it all proved premature as a disastrous start showed the young team was not yet ready.)
Offseason pitching acquisitions have improved the Royals' rotation which, together with their talented group of young hitters, just might start them on the road to their first playoff berth since 1985.
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Cleveland Indians
Manager: Terry Francona
2012 record: 68-94 (Were in contention midway through the season but then collapsed, leading to manager Manny Acta getting fired with six games to play.)
Club has made a habit of starting fast out of the gate only to fade in the second half of the season. Rotation has too many question marks. Though they have added some spice to the lineup, there is little to suggest a turnaround.
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Minnesota Twins
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
2012 record: 66-96 (Injuries, poor defense, pitching and hitting all combined to keep the Twins in the AL Central basement for a second consecutive season.)
Twins should improve on the last two losing seasons but with a questionable rotation and an offense that despite Joe Mauer will not strike fear in opponents, they will likely be battling to avoid another last-place finish in the division.
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WEST
Oakland Athletics
Manager: Bob Melvin
2012 record: 94-68 (Came out of nowhere to secure the division title but their stunning season came to end with a loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game Five of the Divisional Series.)
The Athletics will need their impressive group of young starting pitchers to continue their development to prove last season was no fluke in what could be a three-team race. Starting jobs at shortstop and second base up in the air.
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Texas Rangers
Manager: Ron Washington
2012 record: 93-69 (After losing in the 2010 and 2011 World Series, Rangers viewed 2012 as a disappointment, falling to Baltimore in the new one-game Wild Card playoff.)
May find it difficult to overcome the loss of Josh Hamilton, who left for division rival Angels. Still have plenty of power but runs will be scarcer and will need to overcome some injuries to the pitching staff.
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Los Angeles Angels
Manager: Mike Scioscia
2012 record: 89-73 (Started as 2012 preseason favorites given the additions of slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson, but missed the playoffs.)
After adding free agent slugger Josh Hamilton, the power-laden Angels have four players who last year hit at least 30 home runs in a starting lineup topped by wunderkind Mike Trout. Pitching, after top starter Jered Weaver, is the question mark.
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Seattle Mariners
Manager: Eric Wedge
2012 record: 75-87 (Perfect game by Felix Hernandez and combined no-hitter by six Seattle pitchers were the highlights for a team that finished last, 19 games behind Oakland.)
Mariners added some punch to the middle of their batting order with Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse, but will find it difficult to keep up with the division powerhouses this year.
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Houston Astros*
Manager: Bo Porter
2012 record: 55-107 (Set a franchise record for losses in a season with 107 and ended the campaign with the worst record in the majors, seven games adrift of the next closest team.)
A lack of talent combined with a move into the American League as a member of one of baseball's toughest divisions are expected to make 2013 a rough season for the Astros.
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(*) Played in National League's Central division (Compiled by Frank Pingue in Toronto, Edited by Larry Fine)
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