2001 REVIEW: After hanging around first place for the first month of the season, the Jays hit the skids, dropping to third and worse than .500. They stayed there the rest of the way.

MANAGER: Buck Martinez, (second season).

WHO'S NEW: LHP Luke Prokopec, from the Dodgers; RHP Brian Cooper, from the Angels; LHP Felix Heredia, from the Cubs; RHP Chad Ricketts (1993 graduate of East Lake High), from the Dodgers; 3B Eric Hinske, from the Athletics.

WHO'S GONE: RHP (closer) Billy Koch, to Oakland for Hinske; SS Alex Gonzalez, to the Cubs for Heredia; RHP Paul Quantrill and SS Cesar Izturis, to the Dodgers for Prokopec.

FLASHY PHENOMS: SS Felipe Lopez, whose defense convinced the Jays they could trade Gonzalez but who needs more discipline at the plate; Hinske, will start at third. He can get hit for power, but strikes out often and he is limited on defense; 2B Orlando Hudson, strong on defense and a line-drive hitter, could compete with Homer Bush but more likely will start the season with Triple-A Syracuse; C Josh Phelps was the Double-A Southern League MVP after leading the league in homers and doubles, finishing second in RBIs and slugging percentage, and third in on-base percentage. He has an outside shot to head north with the Blue Jays; OF Gabe Gross, Toronto's first-round pick in 2001, hits for average and power and has a strong arm. He may get a September call-up.

SURE THINGS: The outfield is overloaded with Shannon Stewart, Jose Cruz, Raul Mondesi and Vernon Wells. One (or more) will be the DH -- or could be traded. Kelvim Escobar will be the closer.

QUESTION MARKS: Veteran right-hander Esteban Loaiza, last season's opening-day starter, was diagnosed Sunday with a small tear in the labrum of his throwing shoulder. The Rays also will be depending on unproven qualities in the infield, with Lopez and Hinske on the left side.

-- Compiled by Bruce Lowitt and including information from mlb.com.

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