Some of baseball?s once elite sluggers in the game switched jerseys this winter while reflecting over the thought if they were still capable of lending some offensive aid to their new club, without jeopardizing the team?s chances of a winning season. Each one of these players was at a time considered MVP level players, with one of them actually winning the significant award twice in his career. How strange the game is when highly regarded hitters begin to decline so rapidly. It wasn?t too long ago these men were classified as the most elite players in all of baseball with their trading cards being a must have amongst all die-hard baseball fans. Yet as time passes by, changes will surely follow. From now until these players decide to call it quits, the question will remain if they can still contribute to the game itself. But as long as they remain healthy that question won?t need any answers. The 2005 World Series champions Chicago White Sox didn?t stay too quiet this off season when they traded for Phillies 1B Jim Thome while sending center fielder Aaron Rowand and two pitching prospects to Chicago. In doing so, Chicago acquired a deadly threat to any middle of the order lineup. But like so many others, Thome?s name has been linked to the list of disabled players. During the first half of the ?05 season, he suffered from elbow and back troubles which evidently put a strain on his offensive potential. His main focus with the ChiSox will be to play first base from time to time, backing up Paul Konerko with occasional DH appearances. Remaining healthy should be priority number one for Thome along with a return to his old baseball hitting form. If we are able to see the Jim Thome of old return, the White Sox would have caught themselves a potent bat that will rejuvenate an eager team in pursuit of back to back titles. While the White Sox were busy acquiring Thome, they seemed to have forgotten about their best slugger in franchise history, Frank Thomas. Instead, Thomas sought elsewhere by signing a one year, $500,000 contract, a sum of money he was nowhere close to receiving in Chicago. A powerful bat is an understatement to describe how Thomas once hit in Chicago not too many years ago, with his best seasons ranging from 1991-2000. As with Thome in Chicago, Thomas figures to DH and backup Dan Johnson at first base. Ankle and foot injuries allowed the two-time MVP to only play 34 games while hitting 12 homers in his last season in the Windy City. Thomas will surround himself with Eric Chavez, Jason Kendall, and new addition Milton Bradley as well as the other key members of the offense to put the A?s in better contention in the AL West. The quiet Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim should have some adequate competition this season and the Oakland A?s could just be that. Switching leagues now where the defending NL West Champions San Diego Padres looked for a replacement for Ramon Hernandez and in doing so, signed free agent catcher Mike Piazza. The former New York Met is no stranger to the lackluster division as he spent the earlier part of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Piazza?s ?05 season could be expressed as a moderate one, hitting 19 home runs with 62 runs batted in, all in 113 games with his batting average taking a major blow at a depressing 251. This was his worst average since his debut with LA in 1992. With no designated hitter job available, the Padres hope Piazza will be able to maintain duties behind the plate more rather than play first base. Manager Bruce Bochy has stated that he won?t see a great deal of time at first base, but instead handing over the duties to Ryan Klesko. Jim Thome, Frank Thomas, and Mike Piazza will look to rebound with their respective new clubs this season. Injuries will always remain a concern for this famous trio of major leaguers, but how they decide to bounce back is up to them. The birth of another season is upon us, as well as a new opportunity at the chance of a better offensive outcome.