Josh Beckett missed the season-opening trip to Japan with a sore back, and Curt Schilling's shoulder injury is expected to sideline him until at least July.

Suddenly, the World Series champion Boston Red Sox don't look as imposing.

That hardly means they lack the goods to repeat, something no major league team has done since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. But the Red Sox figure to face as many roadblocks as a Boston fan driving down Brookline Avenue on game day.

Five or six teams in the rugged American League appear loaded with enough talent to win it all after a busy offseason.

Detroit geared up with a blockbuster deal for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Seattle added Erik Bedard to an improved rotation, while the Los Angeles Angels splurged on Torii Hunter.

And don't forget the Indians and Yankees, who put their faith in young pitching.

One thing's for sure: Someone is going to feel left out in October.

"It's just a really good league," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "There's a lot of potential forces out there."

Beckett, the postseason power who was baseball's only 20-game winner last year, stayed behind in Florida when the Red Sox traveled overseas. They opened the major league regular season Tuesday with Japanese icon Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound, and split two games in Tokyo against the Oakland Athletics.

Boston expects Beckett to return quickly from his injury, an important issue as the club chases its third championship in five seasons following an 86-year drought.

New York had a wild winter heading into its final season at storied Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers, moving in 2009 into an expensive new ballpark being built across the street, retained all their key free agents but said goodbye to a popular manager.

After guiding the Yankees to playoff berths in all 12 seasons at the helm, Joe Torre walked away when the team offered him just a one-year contract with a pay cut. He hooked on with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was replaced by former bench coach Joe Girardi.

Over in the Central, Cleveland is led by potential MVP Grady Sizemore and 2007 Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, who is eligible for free agency after this season.

The Indians matched Boston for baseball's best record last year and had the Red Sox down 3-1 in the AL championship series before losing three straight. Cleveland is still seeking its first title since 1948.

They'll have their hands full trying to hold off the Tigers, who also traded for shortstop Edgar Renteria and boast seven All-Stars in a fearsome lineup.

"It's like a dream team," Renteria said.

Justin Verlander leads a balanced rotation, but two key relievers are hurt. Jim Leyland's bunch made a surprising run to the 2006 World Series and certainly could get back.

"A lot of people are saying a lot of nice things about us, but if we don't do anything, they'll say a lot of bad things about us," the manager predicted.

It's probably a two-team race out West between Los Angeles and Seattle.

Of course, a couple of wild cards could potentially affect the pennant race. Anyone want Barry Bonds as a designated hitter or Roger Clemens for half a season?