The scramble for position in the American League should be fascinating this year, even though the play on the field could become tedious. Nearly every club in the League appears to be stronger than last season and it may take until September to determine just how significant the winter changes were.

Last year trouble developed in the West, and for a while it seemed as if a full-scale rebellion was brewing. Look to the West for most of the excitement this season as well.

Minnesota manager Sam Mele did no trading during the winter recess, and with good reason: he has a well-balanced young ball team that could bring home a pennant any year now. His infield, a question mark last year because of its youth, has had a year to work together and they move with smooth precision.

Three veterans bolster the Twins' artillery--Vic Power (.290) at first, and Harmon Killebrew (48 homers and 126 RBIs to lead the AL in both departments) and Bob Allison (29 homers and 102 RBIs) in the outfield.

The Twins' major problems may be on the mound. Comilo Pascual (20-11) and Jim Kaat (18-14) should be big winners again this season. The only question is whether they can succeed in tense situations. Jack Kralick (12-11) must be more reliable this year for the Twins to move, because behind him there isn't much worth talking about.

Angels Look Strong

Nobody really knows what the Los Angeles Angels will try this year, including manager Bill Rigney. In unguarded moments some members of this crazy team have even considered trying to win the pennant. The Angels might do something like that, but chances are a goal so normal will soon bore such characters as Bo Belinsky and Leon Wagner.

The Angels did amaze the league last year, though, and their rise was not totally unreasonable. Leon Wagner was actually much tougher than his .268 average implies, and his 37 homers and 107 RBIs were often strategically placed. First baseman Lee Thomas may not be ideal as a fielder, but he hits with authority and regularity (.290). Billy Moran was a nobody until last year; now he is one of the most respected second basemen around.

Pitching, though, is perhaps the major strength of the club. Bo "No Hit" Belinsky is terrific when he's hot. Manager Rigney's only problem is to work out a rotation schedule that takes account of 3o's night club obligations. More reliable is Ken McBride (11-5), who mystified the best batters around until a rib injury removed him in August. Dean Chance (14-10), fourth-ranking pitcher in the AL on ERA, is useful both as a starter and reliever.

No Doughnut

Boston's Red Sox probably won't be the AL champion, but they won't be the League doughnut either. A lot depends, of course, on the results of the trades the Sox made over the winter. Most of the newcomers are from the National League, though, and National players often tend to benefit from the switch.

Manager Johnny Pesky must get a lot from Dick Stuart, the long-ball, low-average Pirate who is being counted on at first base. The Sox gave up two good players for Stuart, and if he crumps, well, that's the ball game for many years.

Roman Mejias is another boy that had better come through or there might be some changes in the front office. Mejias was paid for with batting champion Pete Runnels. The thinking was that he and Stuart, both being right-handed, might be able to make use of the attractively short field at Fenway. The two of them could conceivably collect more than 70 home runs this year.

Carl Yastrzemski and Lu Clinton will patrol the outer grass with Mejias, and both are capable of strong batting averages. In fact, some reporters think Yastrzemski might become one of the League's best batsmen.

The infield is not the best in the business, but there are lots worse. If Chuck Schilling can recover from his disastrous sophomore slump (.230), the Boston infield could become a major asset.