Someday, historians may look back in amazement at the 2010 Seattle Mariners, who managed the unique feat of losing 101 games despite boasting a rotation headed by two Cy Young winners, in Cliff Lee and

December 8. On that date in 1941, FDR delivered his Day of Infamy speech following the attack on Pearl Harbor. And on that date in 2010, the Tampa Bay Rays endured their own day of infamy, almost certainly fading from being one of baseball’s most skilled and vibrant teams to a just another small-market wannabe.

With an enviable young rotation, a solid bullpen and passable defense, the A’s desperately needed to upgrade an offense that ranked near the bottom of the American League in most, if not all, categories.

The Yankees led the majors in runs scored while winning 95 games last season, but they have serious pitching concerns as they try to reach the playoffs for the 16th time in the last 17 seasons.

Every year, the pattern seems to repeat itself. The Twins are kings of the American League Central and postseason pawns. Their run of six division titles in nine years is now overshadowed by a baffling streak: 12 consecutive postseason losses, the second-longest such streak in major league history. The Red Sox hold the record, with 13 straight postseason losses from 1986 to 1995, starting with the Bill Buckner game.