The Delusions of Kenny Williams

From what I can tell, Kenny Williams is a good general manager. He was at the helm when the White Sox won the 2005 World Series and when they won 90-odd games the following year.

The problem is that Kenny Williams hasn't updated his calendar. He still thinks he has the same Southside team. He still thinks Jose Contreras is going to pitch 200 innings and win 15 games. He still thinks Paul Konerko is a hot young first-baseman who will hit .320 and 40 home runs. He's counting on Jim Thome to play 150 games.

In a recent interview, Williams said he expected the team to contend with the Tigers and Indians for the AL Central. He thinks last season -- when the Sox lost 90 games -- was an aberration.

Williams certainly made some off-season moves to bolster the team. His bullpen was a liability last year, posting a 3-14, 7.46 line over a stretch of two-and-a-half months last season. To his credit, he overpaid Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink to help bail. Then he made the Gift of the Magi trade, obtaining slick-fielding shortstop Orlando Cabrera for the pitcher most likely to benefit from improved infield defense. The addition of Cabrera is a study in synergy, strengthening the offense and moving a shortstop-quality fielder -- Juan Uribe -- to second base.

The problem is that Jon Garland is not only the Sox starter most inclined to induce groundballs, he was the third best starter on a team with exactly three good starters. This leaves the White Sox with a rotation of Mark Buerhle, Javier Vazquez, Moe, Larry and Curly.

Were Williams' team stocked with the Yankees' Murderers Row lineup, that might be enough to contend. But Williams will have to contend with an outfield anchored by the likes of Jerry Owens and Carlos Quentin, and backups playing for Thome when he makes his annual DL visits.

Sadly, it's going to be a long season for Kenny Williams as the monster Tigers lineup and the balanced Indians squad manhandle his club. Maybe that will shake the cobwebs loose and convince him it's time for an overhaul. Besides, it might just be the year for that other Chicago team.