ROOKIES TO WATCH

LHP David Price, Rays: Got a taste of the spotlight last October in a relief role. Now he's back for more, this time as a front-line starter for the defending American League champs.

CF Cameron Maybin, Marlins: All the tools are there. It's just a matter of showing it at the major league level for a whole season.

RHP Tommy Hanson, Braves: Big right-hander wowed scouts at the Arizona Fall League. He should be the next great pitching prospect to come out of the Atlanta system. How highly do the Braves value him? They refused to part with him in a package for former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy.

OF Colby Rasmus, Cardinals: Top prospect could take over in right or push Rick Ankiel out of center. If he doesn't break camp with the big club, it won't be long before he arrives.

RHP Chris Perez, Cardinals: Former University of Miami standout got a chance to close seven games last year. He should assume the closer role for good in 2009.

LHP Brett Anderson, Athletics: Son of the Oklahoma State baseball coach, he has great mechanics and a big frame. He and Trevor Cahill should lead the next wave of young A's arms.

SS Alcides Escobar, Brewers: Could be the next great Venezuelan shortstop, and he shows the ability to reach base as well. Now if the Brewers could just find a landing spot for incumbent J.J. Hardy.

OF Travis Snider, Blue Jays: The floor is open for this hit machine to take over in left. Has reached base nearly 38 percent of the time in the minors.

COMEBACK TRAIL

RHP Freddy Garcia, Mets: He might never win 18 games again, but he showed late last season with the Tigers that he had overcome shoulder surgery. Now he's battling Livan Hernandez for a spot at the back of the Mets' rotation.

CF Andruw Jones, Rangers: He'll still get his money after restructuring his 2009 payments from the Dodgers, but the only way he'll get his reputation back is by having the sort of offensive season he used to have with the Braves.

RHP Carl Pavano, Indians: Finally freed from the Bronx after a mutual $40 million mistake — at least Pavano gets to keep his cash — the former Marlins' 18-game winner is being slotted into the No. 3 spot in the rotation in a low-pressure market.

RHP Brad Penny, Red Sox: John Smoltz isn't the only reclamation project knocking around Fort Myers this spring. Penny was left off the Dodgers postseason roster last fall after a summer of arm problems, but if he regains his velocity he will justify the faith his old Marlins boss showed in him.

LHP Dontrelle Willis, Tigers: It can't get any worse for the derailed D-Train than it was last summer, when he got bounced all the way back to A-ball. The Tigers are still on the hook for about $20 million over the next two years, so they have a vested interest in getting him back on track.

SS Khalil Greene, Cardinals: After dropping from 74 extra-base hits in 2007 to 27 last year, the slick fielder gets a chance to start over in the Land of Oz. He's even following the same path, relocating from San Diego to the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Greene is not a threat to bump Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith from his Midwestern pedestal, but he can't be as bad as he looked last year.

ON THE MOVE

LHP CC Sabathia, Yankees: The big man from the Bay Area wanted to wind up on the West Coast. Instead, he got $160 million over seven years from the franchise that is the leading cause of stress for spotlight players. There'd better not be any California Dreamin' from the Bombers' new staff ace, or else the back pages will let him have it.

1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees: It was looking like the Red Sox would get him until their ancient rivals swooped in and offered $180 million over eight years. "Tex"couldn't resist, so now he gets a chance to succeed Jason Giambi at first with a glove that's been golden twice already.

RHP Derek Lowe, Braves: He'll throw tons of groundballs. Always has. And the big sinkerballer has reached the postseason six times in his career including his virtuoso performances with the 2004, curse-busting Red Sox. Signed for $60 million over four years, spurning the Mets and Dodgers.

RHP John Smoltz, Red Sox: Never thought you'd see this day, did you? The longest-tenured Brave, a pitcher whose time with America's Team stretched back all the way to the Reagan Administration, has opted to end his career in another market.

CL Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: If not for a leaky bullpen, the Mets would have reached the playoffs the past two seasons. To the rescue rides K-Rod on the wings of a three-year, $37 million contract. He's got ex-Mariners closer J.J. Putz riding shotgun, too.

RF Milton Bradley, Cubs: He has played 95 or more games in the outfield just once in his nine big-league seasons, so this should be interesting at $30 million over three years. Plus, there's the small matter of how his high-maintenance act will mesh with the sensibilities of manager Lou Piniella.