DOHA, Qatar -- They were crowned champions of Europe on June 1 and now, on Dec. 21, they're champions of the world. When Liverpool finally look back on 2019, it will go down as a pretty good year, especially if it proves to be the one that laid the foundations for them to become champions of England for the first time since 1990.

- Report: Liverpool win Club World Cup for first time

Roberto Firmino's goal in extra time, following a hard-fought FIFA Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Flamengo in Qatar, was enough to secure a 1-0 victory and make Liverpool world champions for the first time. Just six months after the club's sixth Champions League triumph, earned with a win against Tottenham in Madrid, Liverpool finally added the world title to their honours list after three previous failures in 1981 vs. Flamengo, 1984 vs. Independiente and, back in 2005, vs. Sao Paulo. Previously, Manchester United had been the only English club to have earned the distinction of being crowned world champions, in 1999 and 2008, but Liverpool now have one of the trophies that has eluded them for so long.

"We couldn't do more tonight than win this game for the first time for this wonderful club," manager Jurgen Klopp said following the win.

"It was outstanding. I am so proud of the boys. It's a wonderful night for us and everyone who is with us. Flamengo should be proud of what their team did, but I think we deserved to win -- we were the better side."

After such an incredible year, few could argue with their new status as the best team in the world. So far in 2019, they've played 56 games, won three trophies, ended one long wait for victory and have positioned themselves to end another, in the Premier League, thanks to their performances over the past four months.

Liverpool have not been beaten in the Premier League since Jan. 3 -- their first game of the year -- when they lost 2-1 at Manchester City. At the end of the season, that sole defeat proved decisive in settling the Premier League title in Man City's favour ahead of Liverpool's. In Europe, Liverpool overcame the might of Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the latter unforgettably so by winning the semifinal second leg 4-0 at Anfield, on the way to beating Tottenham in the final, and they went on to add to that success by beating Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul in August. By the time Klopp and his players arrived in Doha for the Club World Cup last Sunday, they had already become intoxicated by the taste of success.

In England, this competition does not enjoy the status it perhaps deserves, considering the title that comes with it and the success you must enjoy to qualify for it in the first place. But when a team starts to win trophies, the next step is making it a conveyor belt bringing regular silverware, which is where Klopp's Liverpool find themselves now.

It seems an age ago since Klopp and his players were dismissed as perpetual runners-up, having lost finals in the Champions League, Europa League and League Cup during his early years in charge. Last year's near miss in the Premier League, after banking 97 points as runners-up, has been used as a springboard for an assault on this year's title rather than as a setback in which to wallow with self-pity. Winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup has turned Liverpool into serial winners, and this success in Doha is unlikely to be their last this season.

Liverpool face second-place Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Thursday, 10 points clear of Brendan Rodgers' team having played one game fewer and with the Foxes coming off a chastening 3-1 defeat at Manchester City. A win over their closest challengers would ensure that the second half of this season becomes little more than a procession for Liverpool as they finally end a 30-year wait for a domestic title.

And who knows? Perhaps a first FA Cup success since 2006 is also on the cards if they beat neighbours Everton at Anfield in the third round next month. With the Champions League to defend too, having been drawn to face Atletico Madrid in the last 16, Liverpool are well-placed to continue their trophy haul in 2020. But 2019 will go down as the year that made it happen.

Liverpool started the calendar year with questions to answer, but they have responded emphatically. If they win, and win again, from this point on, it will be because of what happened in 2019.

New Zealand have confirmed reserve batsman and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell will open during the second Test against Australia on Boxing Day in Melbourne with Jeet Raval set to be dropped.

Blundell opened for New Zealand in their single day practice match against Victoria XI at Scotch College in Melbourne on Sunday and made 59. The two-day game had been reduced to a single day fixture due to extreme heat in Melbourne on Friday.

Blundell has only played two Test matches, against West Indies at home in 2017, where he made an unbeaten century on debut as wicketkeeper. He has never opened in 93 first-class innings and has not batted any higher than No. 5. He has only opened in four domestic T20s and six List A matches for Wellington but has not done so since 2017.

But Blundell is confident he can make the adjustment.

"I think it's just a mindset shift," Blundell said. "I'll probably try and still bat the same but it's just the first 30 balls, you have to be a little bit patient outside that off stump. If I can last those 30 balls hopefully I can bat a little bit more positively.

"I feel like I can do a good job wherever and this game I've been given the opportunity to open and I'm really looking forward to Boxing day."

Veteran batsman and team-mate Ross Taylor backed Blundell's selection for the fixture at the MCG.

"It's fantastic," Taylor said. "Couldn't think of a better place [for Blundell] to be introduced to opening the batting. I think he started off with a hundred in his Test debut back home in New Zealand and he definitely won't be over-awed by the occasion.

"He obviously started well today [at the practice match], got a 50, and the team are thoroughly enjoying him being around and are looking forward to seeing what he can do come Boxing Day.

"I think one of his strengths is pace bowling. He loves to play the short ball. He hasn't played a lot of Test cricket but when he has played he's got a hundred on debut. It's lovely for him to get out there and show what he's got. I fully back him and look forward to seeing how he goes."

Raval's form has forced New Zealand's hand after he failed to reach double figures in seven of his last nine Test innings. Trent Boult is also likely to return from his intercostal injury to replace the injured Lockie Ferguson.

Australia is set to make one change with coach Justin Langer confirming to 6PR on Saturday that James Pattinson would replace injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Unlike some of their recent AFC East titles, the New England Patriots earned this one the hard way.

Quarterback Tom Brady and the offense came to life with a fourth-quarter comeback Saturday, and the defense stiffened on a final drive, to help the Patriots defeat the resilient Buffalo Bills 24-17 and clinch their 11th consecutive AFC East championship.

"It's pretty cool," Brady said. "It's hard to do, and it's a lot of effort and hard work, and a lot of people are coming in day after day and sitting in these chairs and trying to do what's right for the team. It's a great reward, it's a great step for us and it's great to control the ability to do that, too. Happy for us, our team, our coaches, our families and our fans, and hopefully we can build on it and go play great next week."

The Patriots trailed 17-13 entering the fourth quarter, which marked the first time they were behind at home through three quarters against a division rival since the 2016 season.

They scored the game's final 11 points, sparked by Brady, running back Rex Burkhead and the return of wide receiver Julian Edelman, who had left the game in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Burkhead's 1-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes, 6 seconds remaining, followed by Brady connecting with Edelman on a 2-point conversion, put the Patriots ahead for good.

The crowd at Gillette Stadium serenaded the quarterback with chants of "Brady! Brady! Brady!" in what was an electric atmosphere. Soon, those chants turned to "Let's go defense! Let's go defense!" as the Patriots held off a late charge by the Bills, who drove from their own 25-yard line to the Patriots' 15 before they were stopped on a final fourth-and-15 play in the end zone.

Coach Bill Belichick, who wore a white division championship hat to his postgame news conference, smiled when asked how he liked the fit.

"Love wearing this hat," he said, after noting, "It's a good feeling here. Great fourth-quarter drive offensively and defensively big stop there at the end. ... There's a lot of mental toughness in that locker room, and they showed it."

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore wore a T-shirt that read "The East Is Not Enough," which was a theme throughout the locker room.

"They're all different, they're all hard, and I love winning the division. You never take that for granted," said Edelman, who has been a division champ in each of his 11 seasons. "But that's not the ultimate goal."

Edelman's return in the fourth quarter was one of the top storylines of the game. He had missed almost a full quarter when he returned to the huddle with 9:01 remaining in the fourth, and Brady connected with him on a 30-yard pass over the middle on the first play.

That started a seven-play, 59-yard touchdown drive, and then Edelman hauled in a 2-point conversion toss from Brady.

Patriots captain Matthew Slater jokingly compared Edelman to the biblical character Lazarus because he was "back from the dead."

Brady, who finished 26-of-33 for 271 yards and one touchdown, improved to 32-3 all-time against the Bills. He completed 79% of his passes, his best completion percentage since Week 11 of the 2017 season. Brady hadn't reached 56% in his previous five games.

Meanwhile, the Patriots improved to 12-3 and maintained their position as the No. 2 seed in the AFC postseason chase. If they beat the Miami Dolphins at home next weekend, they would earn a first-round playoff bye.

The Patriots have won 12 games 12 times since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and the franchise tied San Francisco for the most 12-win seasons over that span.

The NFL put on a rare show Saturday: a triple-header of games, each with significant playoff implications. Over the course of about 10 hours, we saw:

• The Texans clinch the AFC South.

• The Patriots win the AFC East.

• The Vikings clinch a playoff spot.

• The Rams, defending NFC champions, get eliminated from postseason contention.

Sunday will bring further intrigue as the Ravens try to lock down the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the Cowboys attempt to win the NFC East. In the meantime, here is a look at the NFL playoff picture and standings through Saturday's games of Week 16.

Note: X denotes a team that has clinched a playoff berth, Y shows a team that has clinched its division and Z indicates a team that has secured a first-round bye. An asterisk shows home-field advantage.

Jump to: AFC | NFC

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (12-2) - y

The Ravens clinched the AFC North title in Week 15 by defeating the Jets and need one more victory to ensure the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They can also get there if the Chiefs and Patriots lose. And even if the Ravens lose Sunday to the Browns, they can clinch at least a No. 2 seed -- and thus a first-round bye -- if the Chiefs lose.

Next up: at Cleveland

2. New England Patriots (12-3) - y

The Patriots clinched the AFC East with Saturday's victory over the Bills, their 17th division title in the past 19 seasons. If the Chiefs lose Sunday, the Patriots can lock up at least the No. 2 seed. Otherwise, they can do so with a victory in Week 17 over the Dolphins.

Next up: vs. Miami (Week 17)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) - y

The Chiefs entered Week 15 having already secured the AFC West title, but their Week 15 win over the Broncos preserved the possibility of moving into one of the top two seeds over the final two weeks of the season. Because they have defeated the Ravens and Patriots, the Chiefs would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker if they finished tied at 12-4 with either team, or both.

Next up: at Chicago

4. Houston Texans (10-5) - y

For all the criticism they've received for recent trades and their use of quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans are AFC South champions for the fourth time in five seasons. The only question now is where they'll be seeded in the AFC bracket. They can move up to No. 3 if they beat the Titans in Week 17 and the Chiefs lose one (or both) of their remaining games, thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs.

Next up: vs. Tennessee (Week 17)

5. Buffalo Bills (10-5) - x

The Bills clinched a playoff spot in Week 15 by defeating the Steelers, but Saturday's loss to the Patriots ended their hopes of a division title. Instead, they are locked in as a (very dangerous) fifth seed in the AFC playoffs.

Next up: vs. N.Y. Jets (Week 17)

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)

The Steelers lost in Week 15 for only the second time in their past nine games. But they remained in the No. 6 seed because of the Titans' loss to the Texans. They currently hold the tiebreaker over the Titans because of one fewer conference loss.

Next up: at N.Y. Jets

In the hunt

• Tennessee Titans (8-6)

• Cleveland Browns (6-8)

• Oakland Raiders (6-8)

Eliminated: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (12-3) - x

They had their hands full Saturday night, but the 49ers came back to beat the Rams and keep themselves in position to claim the NFC's top seed if they can beat the Seahawks in Seattle in Week 17. Otherwise, they will enter the playoffs as a wild-card team. Such is the strength of the NFC West this season: The 49ers will find out in Week 17 whether they'll have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, or play on the road in the wild-card round.

Next up: at Seattle (Week 17)

2. Green Bay Packers (11-3) - x

The Packers clinched a playoff spot in Week 15 after defeating the Bears, and they can win the NFC North with a victory Monday night in Minnesota. But the Packers are in good shape regardless. Even if they lose to the Vikings, they can clinch the division by beating the Lions in Week 17.

Next up: at Minnesota

3. New Orleans Saints (11-3) - y

Even after their Week 15 domination of the Colts, the Saints remain in the conference's third seed. The Packers hold the tiebreaker at the moment because of a better conference record. The Saints can still get into the conversation for a first-round bye, or perhaps even home-field advantage, but they'll need help from the Packers to do it.

Next up: at Tennessee

4. Dallas Cowboys (7-7)

The Cowboys' resounding Week 15 victory over the Rams sets up the opportunity to clinch the NFC East. If they defeat the Eagles in Philadelphia, they'll win the division based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. But if the Eagles win, Philadelphia could secure the division with a victory in Week 17 at the Giants.

Next up: at Philadelphia

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3) - x

The Seahawks can ensure an NFC West title by winning their final two games, including a Week 17 matchup against the 49ers. But that would not necessarily guarantee them the No. 1 overall seed. If they finish tied with the Saints, for example, they would lose on a head-to-head tiebreaker. As with the 49ers, there is much to be determined on the Seahawks' fate.

Next up: vs. Arizona

6. Minnesota Vikings (10-4) - x

The Vikings clinched a playoff spot Saturday night by virtue of the Rams' loss and subsequent elimination from the playoffs. And they still have a chance to win the NFC North if they can win their final two games and the Packers lose their final two games. Otherwise, they'll go into the playoffs as a wild-card team.

Next up: vs. Green Bay

In the hunt

• Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)

Eliminated: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Washington Redskins

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is on the verge of signing a shoe deal with Jordan Brand, sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.

The footwear and apparel endorsement deal is expected to be finalized this weekend.

"It's all but official," a source said.

Doncic's contract with Jordan is expected to be a five-year deal, sources said. It will not begin as a signature deal, according to sources, but Doncic can earn a signature deal through bonus clauses such as winning MVP or Finals MVP.

Sources said that Doncic will likely have player-exclusive models -- special edition colorways on which he has design input -- available to him by February for the remainder of the season.

Doncic, who has emerged as an MVP candidate as a 20-year-old, has been a sneaker free agent since his two-year Nike deal that he signed in 2017 while playing with Real Madrid expired Sept. 30. Nike, the parent company of Jordan Brand, had a 180-day window beginning Oct. 1 to match other offers. Sources said other brands were hopeful that he would wait out that window before agreeing to a new deal, and sign outright with a new company were he to leave Nike.

Puma and Under Armour had major interest in Doncic, sources said. He wore Stephen Curry's signature Under Armour Curry 7 twice in games and practiced and warmed up in the Puma Clyde Hardwood, but Doncic has primarily played in Nike or Jordans.

Sources said Under Armour never made an official offer, and Puma shied away from being aggressive with their offer because of Nike's match clause.

Doncic, who will be sidelined by a sprained right ankle until after Christmas, has been exclusively wearing Jordans of late. He has played in the Jordan Diamond Lows and warmed up in Air Jordan 34s. He also frequently wears vintage Jordans off the court.

Doncic will be the second major NBA signing for Jordan Brand this year. No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson signed a five-year, $75 million deal this summer -- the richest annual shoe deal ever for a rookie.

The brand is in the middle of a youthful reset, as the Hall of Fame careers of former headliners Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony enter their final chapters. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura were also signed this summer. All three, along with Doncic, are expected to be featured in the brand's ongoing UNITE campaign that celebrates the global growth and diversity of the sport.

The Athletic first reported that Doncic was close to signing a deal with Jordan Brand.

Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas was ejected late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 125-108 road loss against the Philadelphia 76ers after going into the stands and verbally confronting a fan at Wells Fargo Center.

After he made 1 of 2 free throws with 3 minutes, 6 seconds left, Thomas said he was running back and a fan had "both of his middle fingers up and said, 'F--- you, b----' three times."

When the Wizards called a timeout at the 2:53 mark, Thomas said he went into to the stands "to confront him."

"I said: 'Don't be disrespectful. I'm a man before anything. Be a fan.' His response was, 'I'm sorry, I just wanted a Frosty,'" Thomas said, adding that he believes the fan's behavior stemmed from a 76ers promotion for which fans are awarded a frozen dessert if an opposing player misses two free throws in the second half.

Thomas said he identified the fan to security to have the individual removed from the game.

"That crossed the line. I've got kids. I've got a family. That's not OK at all. So I just went to go tell him that," Thomas said. "I'm never going to be disrespected in any way."

Thomas had 20 points and three assists in 25 minutes in Saturday's loss.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is doubtful for Sunday's home game against the Nuggets with a thoracic muscle strain, coach Frank Vogel announced Saturday.

James first sustained the injury, a pull in the rib cage area, against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday and played through it during Thursday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. James didn't require an MRI, but this is a significant issue and not just a load management situation, sources told ESPN.

Earlier this week, James said he didn't plan to miss any games this season for rest. James has also been dealing with a nagging groin issue recently, sources said. Last season a groin strain on Christmas Day derailed James and the Lakers' season.

Although he has yet to miss a game, the Lakers have been managing James' minutes this season as he's averaging a career-low 34.8 per game. Despite the injury, James played 37 minutes and registered his seventh triple-double of the season against Milwaukee, but he struggled at times in the loss. The Lakers were outscored by 14 points when he was on the floor.

"If [James] doesn't go [Sunday] then we'll need a group effort," Vogel said Saturday. "We'll release starting lineups and all that stuff tomorrow but it's one of those things that no one person can pick up everything that LeBron does for our team, so just have to be a group effort."

Meanwhile Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, who has been dealing with a sprained left ankle, practiced on Saturday and is probable to play against the Nuggets. Kuzma hasn't played since Dec. 8 and has been limited to just 20 games this season.

The Lakers are looking to bounce back from losing back-to-back games for the first time all season against Denver, which enters Sunday's game having won five straight games.

SAN ANTONIO -- The crowd in San Antonio turned on Kawhi Leonard again, showering the Clippers forward with deafening boos and angry shouts.

Leonard shrugged -- and dominated.

Leonard earned his first victory in San Antonio since his exodus from the franchise, getting 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in three quarters as Los Angeles beat the Spurs 134-109 Saturday night.

"He was as sharp as I've seen him," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. "Not only with his scoring, but with his defense and his passing."

The boos puzzled Rivers but didn't faze Leonard.

"It only can make me better and make our team better with the crown not being on our side," Leonard said.

Leonard was roundly booed during pregame introductions and each time he touched the ball, just as he was in two previous visits to San Antonio. The reigning Finals MVP gave the sellout crowd plenty to jeer about during an active 27 minutes.

Leonard was 11 for 16 from the field with four steals and only two turnovers in setting a hurried pace the Spurs were unable to match.

The Clippers had 74 points in the paint, 26 fast-break points and 36 points off 18 turnovers.

"It's embarrassing," said Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, who had 24 points. "It's frustrating, especially when you're out there trying hard, definitely frustrating."

Leonard benefited from the increased pace, slamming in a season-high four dunks.

"I was able to get out in transition, especially get down the paint and able to dunk the ball," Leonard said.

Leonard demanded a trade after playing just nine games for the Spurs in 2018 due to a right thigh injury. San Antonio relented and traded him the next summer to Toronto, where he led the Raptors to their first NBA championship last season.

Spurs fans have remained bitter about his forced departure, making the team's blowout victories over Leonard and the Raptors last season and the Clippers on Nov. 29 that much sweeter.

"Just the way I probably left and how it was portrayed, the narrative that was portrayed in the media," Leonard said. "But, I don't make no sense of it. I know it's a game and it's competitive. When we're not playing or if I'm walking on the street or I see someone from San Antonio, they thank me for everything I did and they respect the way I played when I was here. It's just a part of the game, I feel like."

Leonard turned the tables in his fifth matchup with San Antonio, spending the entire fourth quarter on the bench as Los Angeles stretched its lead to 33.

The Clippers went on a 12-2 run for a 52-44 lead with 7 minutes left in the first half as Leonard and Paul George remained on the bench.

Leonard returned shortly thereafter, making all three of his attempts in the second quarter to push the Clippers to a 64-52 lead.

The Clippers outscored the Spurs 41-21 bridging the second and third quarters.

Los Angeles had six players in double figures, including 21 by Montrezl Harrell and 20 by Lou Williams. George finished with 11 points.

DeRozan, who had 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the first quarter, finished with 24 points to lead San Antonio. Marco Belinelli added 17 points.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Former Spurs F JaMychal Green missed the game with a bruised tailbone. ... Landry Shamat had three points in 14 minutes in his third game off the bench after 13 starts.

Spurs: F Rudy Gay had seven points in 20 minutes after being listed as questionable due to an undisclosed illness. ... C Jakob Poeltl had four blocked shots, raising his season total to 41 in 28 games. ... San Antonio is 73-15 against the Clippers at home.

BACK TO BACK

Leonard has not played in back-to-back games this season and Rivers said that won't change when the Clippers visit Oklahoma City on Sunday night despite his limited minutes against the Spurs.

"I haven't even thought about it, but we'll see. I doubt it," Rivers said. "Just too early for me, to be honest. He may bring it up, but I still don't think we'll do it."

UP NEXT

Clippers: At Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Spurs: At Memphis on Monday night.

---

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a three-year, $55.5 million deal, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The agreement includes a vesting fourth-year option worth $18.5 million, sources said.

The White Sox have been one of the most active teams this winter as they continue to make their push toward contention in the American League Central.

They kicked off free agency by signing catcher Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million deal and re-signed All-Star Jose Abreu to a three-year deal soon after.

They also traded for outfielder Nomar Mazara, nabbed catcher James McCann and inked veteran lefty Gio Gonzalez to a one-year, $5 million deal.

Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, coveted a big free-agent deal prior to the 2019 season, but he instead had to wait until after the June amateur draft -- when a team didn't have to give up a draft pick as compensation to sign him -- for the Atlanta Braves to give him a $13 million deal for the remainder of the season.

The left-hander, who turns 32 on Jan. 1, signed with the Braves on June 7 and made two minor league starts before making his 2019 debut on June 21. He went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 112⅔ innings over 19 starts for the Braves before again going "back into the zoo" of free agency following the season.

"The more I waited, the more I knew playoff teams would call," Keuchel, whose agent is Scott Boras, said of his wait in 2019. "The fair pay is half of it, and that's what I didn't think I was getting in the offseason, but I wanted to play for a playoff team."

He did just that, helping the Braves reach the National League Divisional Series before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals.

While his leadership is coveted in the clubhouse, Keuchel's velocity was still down last season, even after the extra two months of rest. He is known as a strong ground ball pitcher who lives at the knees and fares better when umps are giving him the low strike.

Keuchel spent seven seasons with the Houston Astros, going to the All-Star Game twice and posting a 76-63 record with a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

ESPN's Keith Law contributed to this report.

We all know the recent history of the Chicago White Sox is uglier than those collared uniforms they wore in the late 1970s: Seven consecutive losing MLB seasons, one of four teams in the 2010s not to make a postseason appearance and no playoff series victories since they won the World Series in 2005.

They at least appear determined to aim higher in 2020. The White Sox added to their offseason haul on Saturday night, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting the club has agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million deal with former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA for the Braves in 19 starts in 2019.

The White Sox just signed fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez to a one-year, $5 million contract, in addition to earlier signing catcher Yasmani Grandal and trading for right fielder Nomar Mazara from the Rangers. They also re-signed first baseman Jose Abreu. Their projected payroll now sits at about $130 million compared to $114 million last season.

After going 72-90 in 2019, are these additions enough to make the White Sox a contender? Grandal, coming off a .246/.380/468 season with 28 home runs, is the big signing, but this is mostly improving in small ways around the edges, and I say that as a fan of Keuchel. The money is a little surprising given that nobody wanted him a year ago and he didn't sign with the Braves until June, but he still factors as an upgrade in a rotation that had a 5.30 ERA last season.

Let's see how the White Sox look right now:

3B Yoan Moncada-S
SS Tim Anderson-R
1B Jose Abreu-R
C Yasmani Grandal-S
LF Eloy Jimenez-R
RF Nomar Mazara-L
CF Luis Robert-R
2B Nick Madrigal-R
DH ???

SP Lucas Gioloto-R
SP Dallas Keuchel-L
SP Gio Gonzalez-L
SP Reynaldo Lopez-R
SP Michael Kopech-R

RP Alex Colome-R
RP Aaron Bummer-L
RP Kelvin Herrera-R

A few notes here. Robert and Madrigal aren't on the 40-man roster yet, so they'll likely serve a two-week apprenticeship in the minors to start the season, but both are pretty much big league-ready. Robert started 2019 in High-A and ended it in Triple-A, where he had a .974 OPS in 47 games. Madrigal, the fourth overall pick in 2018, also climbed from High-A to Triple-A, hitting .311 across three levels with the dead ball era totals of 44 walks and just 16 strikeouts.

Mazara has some superficially decent numbers, hitting .268 with 19 home runs last year for the Rangers, but he has been worth 1.8 WAR ... over four seasons. He has been a below-average defender who doesn't walk. Unless the White Sox can unlock some power with a swing and approach change, he doesn't really help much (although he's still an improvement over the mess the White Sox had out there last year).

The lineup is certainly fun and intriguing and the hope is Moncada continues to improve and Jimenez develops into a feared bopper in the middle of the lineup after hitting 31 home runs as a rookie. Tim Anderson is certainly exciting and won the batting title after hitting .335 in a breakout season, but given his overly aggressive approach, he's also near the top of any list of players most likely to regress in 2020 (he had a .399 average on balls in play, not sustainable season to season). It would certainly be nice if the Sox up the payroll to $145 million and fill that DH hole with Nicholas Castellanos or Edwin Encarnacion. I don't project this as a top-five lineup in the AL just yet (the White Sox were 13th in runs a year ago), although if Robert and Madrigal produce from the get-go and they add a DH there is potential for a big improvement.

The bigger unknown is the rotation. Keuchel and Gonzalez are risks in that they don't fit the prototype of what most teams are looking for these days: high velocity, high spin, four-seamers up in the zone. But both veterans know how to pitch. With Keuchel, you know what you're going to get: ground balls and that bulldog mentality. His OPS allowed, however, has increased from .619 to .704 to .764 the past three seasons, although the Happy Fun Ball affected everybody in 2019. There isn't No. 1 or No. 2 upside here, but he's a safe bet to post an ERA around 4.00 and chew up innings.

Gonzalez was one of the most durable starters in the game until last season, when he made 17 starts and pitched just 87 innings. He has lived on the edge the past of couple seasons, averaging 4.1 walks per nine while his strikeout rate has dipped. He never has been a command guy, but the fact that he got just $5 million suggests the lack of interest in him. He could end up being a huge bargain, but there is also high flameout potential here given his age and peripheral numbers.

Similar to how the lineup will need Robert and Madrigal to produce, the success of the rotation leans heavily on Lopez and Kopech. Lopez has a plus fastball, but the secondary stuff is still lacking. The slider is his big swing-and-miss pitch, but wasn't a dominant offering (batters hit .244/.262/.482 against it). Advanced metrics point to some limits on his upside: below-average spin rate on his fastball and low spin on his curveball. And his changeup got hit hardest of all.

Kopech has the upside that Lopez lacks, but is coming off Tommy John surgery in September 2018, after he had made his major league debut. He struck out 170 in 126⅓ innings at Triple-A that season, maintaining that high strikeout rate even after he dialed down his fastball a bit to throw more strikes. Even if he comes back strong he'll be on an innings limit, so the Sox will need rotation depth.

The White Sox will be a popular sleeper pick. I still have them behind the Twins and Indians and I'm not convinced they're more than a .500 team at the moment, but I'm also lower on the White Sox than most. One thing for sure, however: This will be the most interesting White Sox team in 15 years, and with young talent in Moncada, Jimenez, Anderson, Robert and Madrigal it will be one of the top must-watch teams of 2020.