A.L. Central

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

WHAT WE KNOW The rotation is as sound as it has been in Ken Williams' five years as G.M. LHP Mark Buehrle and RHPs Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Orlando Hernandez and Jon Garland all are capable of winning more than 10 games and working at least 175 innings. The additions of RHPs Dustin Hermanson and Luis Vizcaino give the bullpen five pitchers who can set up or close, making it the team's strong suit. The offense is more balanced; the speed and bat-handling skills of LF Scott Podsednik and 2B Tadahlto Iguchi at the top of the order complement the powerful middle of the lineup, so the White Sox no longer have to rely on slugging their way to victories. 1B Paul Konerko and CF Aaron Rowand produced career-best offensive numbers in 2004 and should match them this season.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW When will DH Frank Thomas, the team's career leader in five offensive categories, return from ankle surgery? The team believes he'll be able to play by mid-April, but early May is more likely. Thomas' power and batting eye will be missed. Can Contreras turn his potential into results? He has lacked confidence and the ability to spot his fastball and relied on his split-finger pitch. Has the league figured out RHP Shingo Takatsu? Hitters can succeed against him if they lay off his slow stuff and focus on his hittable 88-mph fastball. Can Hernandez, who's two years removed from rotator cuff surgery, stay healthy? The White Sox need him to be a solid part of the rotation.--Scott Merkin

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

LF Scott Podsednik

2B Tadahito Iguchi

RF Jermaine Dye

1B Paul Konerko

DH Carl Everett

CF Aaron Rowand

C A.J. Pierzynski

3B Joe Crede

SS Juan Uribe

ROTATION

LH Mark Buehrle

RH Freddy Garcia

RH Jose Contreras

RH Orlando Hernandez

RH Jon Garland

CLOSER

RH Shingo Takatsu

TSN FANTASY TIP

Those in leagues with fluctuating player values should consider that Mark Buehrle starts slowly, Don't overpay for him early; try adding him after his price has dropped,

BREAKOUT PLAYER

If the team hadn't signed Orlando Hernandez, prospect Brandon McCarthy would have captured the fifth starter's spot. McCarthy, 21, has started only three games at Class AA, but he locates his fastball well. He throws like a righthanded Mark Buehrle, moving the ball around the zone. If any of the starters stumbles, McCarthy will be the first called up. He's just about ready for the majors.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

WHAT WE KNOW The bullpen should be improved. RHPs Bob Howry and David Riske and LHPs Scott Sauerbeck and Arthur Rhodes provide plenty of experience, and the four should give the team an edge in the lefty-righty matchup game. The team also has a better than average closer in RHP Bob Wickman, who will protect far more leads than he'll let slip away. On offense, with DH Travis Harrier, C Victor Martinez and RF Juan Gonzalez in the heart of the order, there are no easy outs from 1 through 8. The lineup features power and, with CF Coco Crisp and 3B Aaron Boone at the top, has speed that should help generate runs. As much as the offense will be improved, the defense will be weaker without SS Omar Vizquel. Jhonny Peralta doesn't have Vizquel's range, and Boone's recovery from knee surgery will limit him some.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW Can the rotation hold up for a full season? LHP C.C. Sabathia already is having injury problems and could miss his first couple of starts. The Indians have other candidates to anchor the rotation in RHPs Kevin Millwood and Jake Westbrook, but Sabathia is the one who is capable of matching up well against opposing aces. Millwood (elbow) also is a health risk. RHP Jason Davis will take a rotation spot if Sabathia is out long, but his stuff might be better suited for a relief role. The team's most promising young arms can't be counted on early. Veteran RHP Jason Bere is in the starting mix but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2003 and has durability issues.--Justice B. Hill

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

CF Coco Crisp

3B Aaron Boone

DH Travis Harrier

RF Juan Gonzalez

C Victor Martinez

LF Casey Blake

1B Ben Broussard

2B Ronnie Belliard

SS Jhonny Peralta

ROTATION

LH C.C. Sabathia

RH Jake Westbrook

RH Kevin Millwood

LH Cliff Lee

RH Scott Barton

CLOSER

RH Bob Wickman

TSN FANTASY TIP

Ronnie Belliard is a strong first half player. He's a career .287 hitter before the All-Star break, .246 alter it. The Indians have a deep middle infield, so playing time could be an issue for him.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

Ben Broussard went through an 0-for-27 funk last May because he wasn't getting into proper hitting position soon enough to attack the ball. After adjusting his stance and hand placement, he improved greatly. Broussard's baseball smarts suggest he won't go into a similar deep slump again. Look for him to showcase the sweet swing that has brought him success at every level of baseball.

A.L. SCOUTS VIEWS

Sidney Ponson looks fine. After he pitched four or five innings in one start, he went to the bullpen and threw for another half-hour.... Sammy Sosa looks the same. His bat has slowed a little. He swung through a lot of up-and-in fastballs 90 mph and up last year, and I don't expect that to change from what I've seen this spring. Still, in that ballpark, he'll hit 30 to 35 homers.... White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi has really struggled. He has not defined the strike zone and is swinging at a lot of pitches up. He's not as good a runner as I had been told. At best, from what I've seen, he has average speed. The biggest surprise from the White Sox has been the pitching of Brandon McCarthy. He's pitched really well, but I don't see him making the club out of spring training.... I was impressed with young Angels righthander Ervin Santana. He has a plus fastball with good movement and looks like he knows how to pitch.... The Angels are going to miss the power of Jose Guillen and Troy Glaus. Casey Kotchman will need to provide them some power at some point this season. Last year, when he came up, he became so conscious about making contact that he showed little power. He's swinging a little better this spring.... One player the Angels don't need to worry about is Orlando Cabrera. He'll be fine. He's going to strike out more than David Eckstein, but he'll give them more defense.... I'm not seeing a lot of power coming from the Royals' rookie third baseman, Mark Teahen. Judging by his swing, I'm not sure it's there.... Rich Harden has the best arm in Arizona. He was throwing 98 mph out of the chute. There's no telling how good he'll be. On the other hand, Barry Zito really has struggled. He's shown no velocity, and his ability to consistently throw his breaking ball has not been there. He's also had trouble keeping the ball down, which is something he must be able to do.