New York Opening Day starter Carl Pavano (photo above) has a chance to win the first Amercian League game of the 2007 season as the Yankees kick off the AL campaign when they host the Tampa Devil Rays and left-handed Scott Kazmir.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Hitters: The fact 3B Alex Rodriguez has been "slipping" in drafts this season is mind boggling. He dropped close to 20 pounds and looks a lot like his Mariner days when his bat speed was much quicker and he stole bases on a regular bases. The two-time MVP is entering the seventh season of his $252 million, 10-year contract, a deal he signed with the Rangers. He can opt out of the agreement after the season, forfeit the $72 million owed in the final three years and become a free agent. That could be motivation for Rodriguez to have a huge year.He's heating up at the right time evidenced by his 4 homers in the last ten days.

Pitchers: RHP Carl Pavano missed the entire 2006 season with an array of injuries, ranging from a bruised rear end to a bone chip in his elbow to broken ribs suffered in an auto accident. Now he's given the rare opportunity of starting on opening day at home, which could end up being a make or break start for him regarding 2007. If healthy, he has the ability to be a good No. 3 or 4 fantasy starter on your team, but there's no reason to believe he'll remain healthy.

OAKLAND ATHELTICS

Hitters: OF Nick Swisher is developing into a reliable fantasy option. There was no sophomore slump last season, as he played admirably while splitting time between the outfield and first base. He still strikes out way too much (13 K's in 64 ABs this spring) but his high OBP and power make him much more of a points-league option than a Roto option.

Pitchers: RHP Rich Harden missed much of last season with back and elbow problems, and he has made only 28 regular season starts the past two years. But if he is healthy in 2007, he'll be a legitimate ace and a Cy Young candidate. With a high-90s fastball and an excellent changeup, Harden racks up strikeouts in bunches and typically has a far better strikeouts-to-walks ratio than the 49-to-26 he posted last season.His outstanding spring (1.59 ERA, 29 Ks in 13.2 IP) is reason to believe this may finally be the year we've been waiting for from this stud, provided of course he can avoid the dreaded DL.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Hitters:  OF Raul Ibanez had a career year at the plate after being reunited with hitting coach Jeff Pentland (the two worked together in Kansas City). Pentland got Ibanez to get more loft on the balls he drove, which accounted for many more homers and RBIs. Ibanez is a patient hitter who always seems to flirt with a .300 batting average.His spring numbers aside; .375 AVG, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, he will not top his '06 numbers so temper your expectations.

Pitchers:  Aside from Felix Hernandez, there's not a lot to love fantasy wise when it comes to the Mariners starting rotation. But there is Miguel Batista. Batista's pitches often move too much, and he has trouble finding the strike zone. He also pitches to contact, which leads to low K totals and a high WHIP. However, Batista will give you innings and should pick up double-digit wins based on the fact he will have half his starts in a pitchers park with a good defense behind him..

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Hitters: Let's talk about the rookie hitter with a lot of hype. No, I'm not talking abut Delmon Young but instead, B.J. Upton.  Upton started last season at Class Triple-A Durham and struggled in the field before getting moved to third base. He joined the D-Rays in early August and displayed the athletic gifts that made him a No. 1 pick.Now he steps into the everyday role at 2B. His speed-and-power combination makes him a must-have in all Rotisserie leagues. His versatility will certainly help, too.

Pitchers:  RHP James Shields won four of his first five starts in 2006 before going on an up-and-down ride. The long ball was a problem in the second half (14 homers), but Shields' K total was impressive (K/9 of 7.5), as was his performance at home (3.94 ERA). Consider Shields more of a low-end option in AL-only leagues to start the season with mixed leaguers keeping a close eye on things for the time being.

TEXAS RANGERS

Hitters: The fountain of youth found the bat of OF "slammin" Sammy Sosa. The aging veteran will begin the season as the Rangers' designated hitter after a tremendous spring, hitting .404 with five home runs and 15 RBI. Those spring numbers are definitely worth getting excited about and he could be a potential sleeper in deep Fantasy leagues.

Pitchers: RHP Robinson Tejeda had a big second half last season, going 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA in nine starts after being called up for a third time in August. He was 1-3 with a 9.78 ERA in the first half, when walks were a major issue. Even when he was pitching well, his strikeout totals were low and he allowed more hits than innings pitched. It's best to use him away from Ameriquest Field (7.17 ERA), but note he did have a 2.01 ERA in his final eight starts last year.

TORONTO BLUEJAYS

Hitters: OF Alex Rios exploded in the first half of the 2006 season when he hit .330 with 15 homers and 53 RBI before the All-Star break. However, a staph infection limited his production in the second half to a .261 average, two homers and 29 RBI.He's the most accomplished and balanced hitter the Jays have so expect a solid year from this stud.

Pitchers: The Jays are hoping that RHP Josh Towers will revert back to the pitcher who went 13-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 2005, and not the pitcher who went 2-10 with a 8.41 ERA in 2006 before his demotion to the minors. This could very well be one of his last chances to prove he belongs in the majors and from the looks of his spring numbers; 2.45 ERA with 23 K's/4 BB's over 25.2 IP, he may be taking it that way. Consider him more of a AL-only option heading into the season. He could be a mixed league option as the season goes on.