Q: Does the addition of Erik Bedard make the Mariners the front-runner in the AL West? If not, what pieces do you think still are missing?
— Mike, Spokane, Wash.

A: I'm still picking the Angels, Mike. You have to like the additions of Bedard and Carlos Silva to the rotation, although Bedard came at a heavy price in terms of prospects and Silva cost them $48 million.

With an injury to the Angels' Kelvim Escobar that could keep him out until June, I think the two rotations are just about equal, and you could even make a case that the Mariners have a slight edge, especially with their 1-2 combination of Bedard and Felix Hernandez.

But I like the Angels in pretty much every other category. I think they have an edge in the bullpen, on offense, defense and in the speed department. Torii Hunter helps them both offensively and defensively, I think Howie Kendrick will have a breakout season, and I have them winning 94 games.

My concern with the Mariners is the fact that they overachieved last season by winning 88 games despite being outscored in total runs, 794-813. I don't see where more offense is going to come from with Jose Guillen gone and Brad Wilkerson in his place, unless Richie Sexson and/or Adrian Beltre have big seasons.

Q: Should the White Sox stock up on newer cheaper talent by trading away rapidly aging veterans, or try to add one more piece or two to compete this year?
— Joe Lackee, Lake In the Hills, Ill.

A: Welcome to Kenny Williams' dilemma, Joe. But as of now, the answer to your question is that the Sox aggressively tried this winter to improve for 2008 — as opposed to undergoing a rebuilding process. In fact, I think there is enough pressure on both Williams and especially Ozzie Guillen to improve dramatically this season, or possibly be fired.

Williams risked weakening his rotation by trading Jon Garland for the underrated all-round talents of shortstop Orlando Cabrera. He also dealt for the power and on-base percentage of Nick Swisher, spent what I feel is too much on Scott Linebrink to improve a weak bullpen, and signed a potential sleeper in Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez.

But despite those additions, I don't see how the Sox can finish any higher than third, and I have them finishing around .500. And if things get ugly early, you could see a shift in philosophy, and a trade of a veteran or two — Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jose Contreras to name three possibilities.

Q: What can the Padres do to improve?
— Le Lobo, San Diego

A: They could start by getting a new outfield, Le. I just don't like what they have there. They made offers to free agents Andruw Jones and Kosuke Fukudome, and talked about a deal for Jason Bay — any of which would have been great additions if they had occurred.

Instead, they are left with Brian Giles, 37 and coming off knee surgery; Jim Edmonds, 38 and coming off an injury-riddled season, and Scott Hairston, who has never been an every-day player. They are attempting to move highly regarded prospect Chase Headley from third base to left field, but he has only 18 at-bats above the Double-A level, so it's hard to envision him making that big of a difference.

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I like the rest of the team — very good rotation that could get solid contributions from Randy Wolf and possibly Mark Prior, a very good bullpen led by Trevor Hoffman and Heath Bell, very good infield and solid catching platoon.

But I don't see the Padres hanging with the other three contenders in the NL West unless they add power in the outfield. They also are trying to cut down on the amount of stolen bases they allow.

Q: Is there a contender you think that will disappoint? And on the other hand, is there a team you think can surprise?
— Brian Quinlan, Howard, S.D.

A: How about the Yankees for your first question? This is a team that hasn't quite been good enough to advance in October for the last few seasons, yet did nothing in the off-season except retain its own, aging free agents.

So the aging core is another year older, there are too many players better suited to be a DH, and they must get one more good season from Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina.

Their hope is in the young arms of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and if they are good right away, the Yankees could make the playoffs. But if not, there is a chance they could fall to third place behind the Blue Jays.

I don't think the Brewers qualify as a true surprise team considering they led the NL Central most of the way last season. But I expect them to be even better than last season, and to win the division despite many picking the Cubs. I also see the Reds jumping up to .500 or better, and the Rays (as long as Scott Kazmir is OK) and Pirates exceeding expectations.

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