Although they still have a lineup that is capable of hitting a lot of homeruns, I don't like the White Sox to contend this season. Their pitching staff just aren't the same guys they were several years ago when they won the World Series. Buerhle can't be counted on as an ace anymore after pitching to a 4.99 era last year, while Jon Garland may never repeat his 2005 season. Javy Vazquez hasn't been good since leaving Montreal after 2003, and Jose Contreras has never been a model of consistency. There team is also fairly old, and I don't know if they will have the depth if one of their key guys goes down.

Well, they almost stood pat other than the trade of Freddy Garcia for a couple of Phillies prospects. I don't think that was a particularly wise move on their part, Garcia may not be Cy Young, but he's dependable and can be quite good. The biggest reason they won it all in '05 was the strength and depth of their starting rotation, and that rotation is beginning to crumble. They still have some good offensive players like Konerko and Dye, but although I feel they'll be over .500, I think they're waning as a true contender. I also wonder if their manager, the acerbic and temperamental Ozzie Guillen, hasn't begun to wear out his welcome there.

Not even close to their Series champion team. Sinking fast.