It's springtime. You can feel it in the air as it warms up to 82 degrees in the afternoon, the mosquitoes start flying around your head, and your dog looks longingly into the air-conditioned house from the patio.

At least that's the case down here in Houston, where I'm writing this column from. By the time you read this, I'll be back in Boston where it's probably a balmy 50, and I'll be missing my dog.

But spring brings more than just warm weather and a young man's fancy turning to love and all that crap. What it really means is the beginning of baseball season.

Because you spent the winter with your nose buried in a book, you don't know what the big free agent movements and trades were, do you?

You don't have a clue about the strengths and weaknesses of different teams vying for the World Series either, I'll bet. Well, it's time to get you in baseball shape.

Looking at the overall state of the game first, a labor agreement between the players and the owners was signed which ensures that we'll have ballgames until the new millemium.

Also, baseball is starting interleague play this summer. This is nice, but isn't really earth-shattering.

What would rock my world is if the greedy owners decide to suck it up and do something good for the game by picking a commissioner. I'm available, and unemployed by the way.

But I've got to stop dreaming. It's time to get down to the details of the pennant race, division by division and team by team.

American League East

1. New York--Its starting rotation seems healthy, and David Cone, Kenny Rogers and Dwight Gooden are all throwing great. The team will be fine unless closer Mariano Rivera falters. It doesn't have the luxury of John Wetteland any more.

2. Toronto--Signed the Katy Rocket, Roger Clemens. He won a national championship in 1983 for the University of Texas (I had to slip in a Longhorns reference sometime; it's in my job description). He is an addition to an already great starting rotation. Offense, other than Joe Carter could be a problem.

3. Baltimore--Cal moves to third base and is replaced by Bordick. Not as good as last year. Pete Incaviglia at DH? Are you kidding me?

4. Detroit--No defense, bullpen or starters.

5. Boston--See Detroit. Even worse becaue of the Wil Cordero and John Valentin controversies.