Tony Dejak / AP file

The White Sox's re-signing of first baseman Paul Konerko was only one of several key moves made by the defending World Series champions in the offseason, writes Ted Robinson of NBCSports.com.

BRONZE MEDALS

Pirates
I feel the Pirates deserve a bronze medal for their work over the winter, first and foremost for hiring Jim Tracy, who skippered the Dodgers for the last five seasons, as their manager.

Tracy reminds me more of former Twins manager Tom Kelly than anyone I've ever come across in baseball. Both played briefly in the major leagues, served their managerial apprenticeships by managing in the minors and coaching in the majors, and both are highly regarded because they exert a quiet, but very strong presence over the teams they manage.

Like Kelly, Tracy understands the players are the story -- not the manager. I think with the Dodgers, Tracy was underappreciated, but in Pittsburgh, I believe his managerial style will be a much better fit.

After making the Tracy hire, the Pirates swung trades to acquire first baseman Sean Casey, left-handed pitcher Damaso Marte, and dipped into the free-agent market to sign third baseman Joe Randa, outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, and relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez.

These trades and signings should strengthen the Pirates, and are even more impressive when you take into account the spiral of failure of the franchise in recent years -- something which made attracting free agents that much more difficult.

I think in the six-team N.L. Central Division, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are the two teams with the best chance of showing the most improvement.

Royals
A similar situation to Pittsburgh because in Buddy Bell, whom they hired last May, the Royals now have a perfect manager for their situation. Like Pittsburgh, Kansas City has been stuck in such a rut of failure that attracting prime free agents has been out of the question.

Kansas City went out and was finally able to get some veteran players who have been on winning teams to sign on. Among those they landed in free agency are Reggie Sanders, Mark Grudzielanek, and Doug Mientkiewicz. This trio brings knowledge of how to win to a clubhouse that is loaded with young players.

Among those young players are shortstop Angel Berroa, third baseman Mark Teahen, and catcher John Buck, a trio the Royals hope will be their core for years to come. These three young players should get some leadership and instruction from the veterans the team has signed -- veterans who know how to win.

No one is expecting the Royals to contend for the playoffs, but in terms of what they did in the offseason, they look like a far better team than they were on the last day of last season.

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