GLENDALE, Ariz. – Asked about the presumptive AL Central favorite Detroit Tigers, White Sox players refused to anoint them division champs in February.

“They picked up Prince Fielder, but they lost a great player in Victor Martinez,” reliever Jesse Crain said. “So we’ll see what happens. That’s what’s so great about baseball. You never know what is going to happen.”

Optimism reigns supreme for all 30 teams during spring training, and it’s no different for the Sox. Even so, the Sox have their work cut out to avoid the bottom of the AL Central standings.