"The consensus around American League Central circles is that it's a take-your-pick division when it comes to the favorite. Throw a blanket over the Minnesota Twins, White Sox and Detroit Tigers.

And while the Sox have been oozing with optimism at the start of spring training about their chances of winning it, nobody from within has stepped forward and declared them the favorite — until Monday.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely,'' Sox center fielder Alex Rios said. "We're the team to beat. We have good additions. The core is solid, and with the additions, we're even stronger. We're going to give a hard time to a lot of people out there."

An upbeat Rios checked into camp a day before today's first full-squad workouts, got some interviews out of the way and swung the bat on a bright and calm, 60-degree day. With the addition of Adam Dunn to the lineup, there's a good chance Rios will see good pitches to hit batting third with protection behind him from the big slugger. And Paul Konkero not far behind.

"This is the best [lineup] I've been [with],'' said Rios, who spent parts of six seasons in Toronto before coming to Chicago. "It's going to be good. I'm excited for it. I just can't wait to see how it's going to work.''

Rios, who turned 30 last month, should be in the middle of the good works if he repeats his production of last season. In his first full year with the Sox, Rios batted .284 with 21 home runs and 29 doubles with career highs in RBI (88) and stolen bases (34). He joined Tommie Agee, Ray Durham and Magglio Ordonez as the only 20-20 homer-stolen bases players in Sox history.

A two-time All-Star, Rios had struggled in 41 games with the Sox in 2009 after general manager Ken Williams snagged him on waivers from the Blue Jays. His recovery from '09 made Williams look very smart. It made Rios look educated."