Tony DeMarco

It’s next year already. And that means that even before the city of Chicago can hold a victory parade, 29 other teams are plotting and scheming to be the 2006 version of the White Sox, and sportsbooks around the globe already are setting odds on the likelihood of them doing so.

The New York Yankees have the shortest odds in at least a couple of those sportsbooks, but they always do, and they haven’t won a World Series since 2000. In fact, there have been six different winners in the last six years — none of whom could be called major favorites heading in. So with that in mind, and long before a winter’s worth of changes will be made, we take a stab at a 2006 champ.

We know for sure who it won’t be:

Kansas City Royals: After three 100-loss seasons in the last four, you can’t put enough zeroes onto their odds.

Colorado Rockies: They finally clear the contracts of Preston Wilson, Charles Johnson, Larry Walker, Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton from the books, but instead of using that money to fill holes, they lower the payroll from the mid-$60-million range to the mid-$40s, ensuring continued apathy around Coors Field.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: The losing combination of Vince Naomoli and Chuck LaMar finally has been put out of its misery. But eight years of mistakes can’t be corrected overnight — not even with the nice nucleus of young talent in place.

Pittsburgh Pirates: They got a good man in Jim Tracy to guide the ship, and few if any teams have better young, left-handed pitching. But some of it may have to go to bring in some offense, as the return of Craig Wilson won’t be enough. At least they will have the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park.

Cincinnati Reds: There is ownership uncertainty, but no matter who’s in charge, there isn’t enough starting pitching to get to .500, let alone win anything.

Seattle Mariners: Don’t expect another spending spree like last winter, when Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson were signed. Not after the M’s improved by only six games from 2004, leaving their two-year record at 60 games under .500.

Detroit Tigers: Jim Leyland goes back to the grind six years after a case of burnout caused him to walk away from more than $4 million in Colorado. What’s surprising is he went to a team that is far from contending, and one saddled with a couple of bad contracts and a clubhouse problem or two.

Baltimore Orioles: The downward spiral continues. Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro are history, and the O’s probably cost themselves B.J. Ryan by not locking him up when they had the chance. At least they landed Leo Mazzone, who could be their biggest addition.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Agent-turned-owner Jeff Moorad is finding out how the other half lives, as the D-Backs are saddled with the contracts of Russ Ortiz, Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green.

Texas Rangers: Of the handful of franchises that never have appeared in the World Series, this one has been around the longest. And that won’t change unless they can put Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry and Nolan Ryan in the same rotation.

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