But enough about my attempt at online dating connections. Let's get back to baseball, with Cactus League action just days away.

Do you think the White Sox have a chance to compete with Detroit and Cleveland this year?
-- Adam, Wheaton, Ill.

Recently, I told a member of the White Sox organization that I have the team penciled in for 85 or 86 wins and a third-place finish behind the Tigers and Indians. He told me that I would eat those words, and that I "would be working in October." Of course, he didn't specify if I would be covering the White Sox at that point, or working for MLB.com on another series.

In all honesty, this team appears to be vastly improved. The bullpen has the veteran presence it sorely missed in front of closer Bobby Jenks, and general manager Ken Williams has given manager Ozzie Guillen the depth to go with a couple of different looks in regard to his lineups. As I've said before, offensive stalwarts such as Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and A.J. Pierzynski certainly will return to their past yearly prowess with the bat after last year's brief downturn, which automatically bumps this team up a notch.

The rotation still worries me, and it's the rotation that ultimately will decide how far this team goes in 2008. As mentioned numerous times before by Guillen and by the media, Jose Contreras remains the key. Contreras seems relaxed and content, but that personal tranquility must be accompanied by success on the field following his prolonged struggles since the 2006 All-Star break, during which he has picked up a Major League-worst 26 losses.

Two of the theories I've heard from other writers, and we've already discussed our American League predictions even before the spring games begin, are that Detroit doesn't have the pitching to go with baseball's best lineup and Cleveland is going to suffer from the proverbial postseason hangover. I've also been told C.C. Sabathia's contract situation will be a sticking point for the Indians' slippage.

Remember, though, other teams appear primed to rise, such as the Mariners and the Blue Jays. I believe the White Sox have something to prove after last year's debacle and will be in contention for the postseason. We'll see if an order of humble pie will be coming my way in October.

I think it is in the best interest of the White Sox organization to sign Joe Crede to a long-term contract. He is the best third baseman in the American League, and if the White Sox are serious about winning, they need him. This would be an awesome public relations move by the White Sox, since they lost out on all the free agents. Keep Josh Fields, too. Quit acting like small market teams. This is Chicago.
-- Linda, Chicago

A healthy Crede probably would provide the White Sox with the best overall lineup, primarily because of his defensive excellence at third base. But that's not to say this team won't win with Fields at third. Fields has taken a step up defensively, as pointed out by Guillen, bench coach Joey Cora and Fields, who feels more comfortable at the position.

Will he ever match Crede's defense at third? Maybe not. But there might be only one or two third basemen in all of baseball who can make that claim.

The lack of a long-term contract for Crede has nothing to do with small-market thinking or moves to make the White Sox look good or missing out on free agents during the offseason -- and not to be confrontational, Linda, but hasn't that particular ship sailed already? It's about Crede wanting to stay in Chicago, but I believe also wanting to see what is available to him on the open market when he is back healthy. I still don't see a Crede deal getting done before free agency arrives and still see Fields at third.

Is there any indication that Jerry Owens has used the offseason to work on his bunting? If he could perfect this aspect of his game, he could be an All-Star in my opinion. What do you think?
-- John, Homewood

Owens talked about this exact topic with me on Sunday and said he did work on bunting skills during the offseason, as well as continuing to do so in the early stages of Spring Training. It's an important skill to have for a player who uses speed as a big part of his game, a way for Owens to avoid prolonged slumps.

The All-Star status might be a bit premature for Owens, who has yet to play a full season. But he has the potential to hit .300 by supplementing his offensive skills with the ability to drop down a few well-placed bunts.

Do you think the White Sox will make a trade for a starting pitcher?
-- Eddie, Chicago

With Bartolo Colon apparently joining the Red Sox and barring any sort of significant injury, the White Sox rotation won't change from the five they have now in Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, John Danks, Contreras and Gavin Floyd. I suppose one of the younger hurlers such as Nick Masset, Lance Broadway or Jack Egbert could make their presence felt, but they would really have to make a move, while Danks or Floyd faltered, to supplant either hurler.

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Of course, if the White Sox are in contention and target a starting pitcher as a specific need to put them over the top during the 2008 campaign, you can look for general manager Ken Williams to go out and make some sort of impact deal. I have to admit that I've been impressed by Floyd through the first week of camp, but I'm talking more about his mental outlook as opposed to the raw stuff raved about by Guillen.

Floyd struck me as someone trying to convince himself he belonged last year, even at the end of the season, when he pitched well as part of the rotation. But in talking with him this spring, he seems to believe in his approach once again and has confidence on the mound, which always was a major part of the issues for the right-hander. I listed Floyd as a major area of concern during the offseason, but he could end up being the sleeper success story if his mental focus matches his physical ability.

I'm intrigued about what I have read about Alexei Ramirez. What insight can you provide about his potential this early on in the Spring Training campaign?
-- Matt, Mundelein, Ill.

Matt, I can tell you that he has great athletic skills and looks to be a very slick defensive player, a point Contreras said stuck out with him from the first time he saw Ramirez play in Cuba. His offensive prowess will become more evident once games begin, but I really believe Ramirez is going to emerge from camp with the starting job at second base.

It appears that the White Sox may have one of their best benches ever this year. Is there a darkhorse that you see making the club as a bench player?
-- Ron, Manteno, Ill.

Brian Anderson just might be that candidate.

Going into Spring Training, I really didn't think Anderson had a chance to play at the Major League level -- unless he was traded. But Guillen mentioned the other day how Anderson looks the best he has with the bat since coming to the big league level. We all know his defense is probably as strong as any outfielder on the team, so he could be that long shot to sneak in.

This roster is pretty well defined, though, with just four bench spots open for position players. Three of those will go to backup catcher Toby Hall, Pablo Ozuna and either Owens or Carlos Quentin. So, if Anderson is to make the team, it either means both Ramirez and Richar were sent to the Minors with Juan Uribe at second, or Uribe gets traded and Richar goes back to Triple-A Charlotte. So, Anderson has some players to jump to really have a shot.

Do you think Danks looks right bald? I think he should grow it out long, you know, try to get that 90s Randy Johnson hair. What do you think?
-- Jimmy, Tacoma, Wash.

This hairy idea was mentioned to Danks yesterday, and the left-hander has decided to stay with the closely-cropped look for the time being. He joked how there has to be a little suspense built up as he grows the hair longer during the season, but he quickly added how an 0-4 record followed that longer hair in 2007 so it was time for a change.

Regardless of the hair style, Danks already seems better equipped to handle Major League hitters this year. He has a little bit of that veteran edge in his second season, but the addition of a cutter to his repertoire gives him another pitch to combat right-handed hitters.