AL Central Preview

Lots of Change In The AL Central But Will The Twins Repeat?

As spring makes it’s way in, we say goodbye to a dreadful winter and welcome the 2010 MLB season.

The Twins will try and defend their division title and bolstered their lineup with veterans Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson and J.J. Hardy. They have the offense to repeat, but they will need plenty of help from their starting pitching to contend for yet another division title.

The White Sox made off-season moves of their own to challenge the Twins for the Central, adding much needed help in the bullpen (J.J. Putz) and filling gaps that were lost to free agency (Juan Pierre).

Detroit is trying to keep pace with both Minnesota and Chicago by recently signing Johnny Damon, who will return to the American League Central where he first got his feet wet with the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals look ahead this year to once again battle their way out of the cellar. With a returning Cy-Young award winner and young pitching prospects (Aaron Crow, Luke Hocheavar) on the rise. Look for them not only to finish no only out of last, but possibly even finish ahead of the Tigers.

The Indians have an above average offense, but as it goes with any team in baseball, pitching is the key to winning. Do not expect a contender out of this club even if Kerry Wood finds his late 90’s dominance.

Minnesota Twins (87-76 in 2009 1st place in AL Central)

After an exciting finish to the 2009 regular season, the Minnesota Twins will look to start new and prepare for another division title. After acquiring SS J.J. Hardy from the Brewers for the young and talented Carlos Gomez, the Twins turned around and sign 2nd basemen Orlando Hudson and veteran DH Jim Thome (both parting ways with the Dodgers of Los Angeles). Hardy is much needed after the Twins declined to make an offer to veteran SS Orlando Cabrera and after an excellent 2007 and 2008 seasons in Milwaukee, Hardy saw his numbers drop off tremendously (.229/11/47) in 2009.

With the acquisitions of Thome and Hudson, the Twins have the veteran leadership needed for the 3rd youngest team in baseball entering 2010. With returning MVP Joe Mauer and a healthy Justin Morneau, there is no doubt the Twins are favorites to win the Central despite the lack of starting pitching (ranked 23rd in all of baseball).

If Fransico Liriano can return to his 2006 form where he went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and a breakout year from Kevin Slowey or Scott Baker, this team could make a push for the AL pennant. They have one of the best closers in Joe Nathan, who has averaged over 40 saves the past 6 seasons, and after season ending Tommy John surgery to Pat Neshek, the Twins look to strengthen their bullpen with Anthony Slama and Rob Delaney. Both finished last year in Triple A and will be fighting for a spot in spring training, and if these right handers can bring their dominate stuff to the big leagues, they will take a lot of pressure off of Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares.

With a solid coaching staff led by 2009 Manager of the Year candidate Ron Gardenhire, look for the Twins to repeat as Central champs once again.

Prediction: (95-67) 1st in the AL Central

Starting Lineup

Denard Span CF
Orlando Hudson 2B
Joe Mauer C
Justin Morneau 1B
Jason Kubel/Jim Thome DH
Michael Cuddyer RF
Delmon Young LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Brendan Harris 3B

Bench

Nick Punto Util
Alexi Casilla 2B/SS
Jacque Jones OF

Starting Rotation

Scott Baker
Kevin Slowey
Carl Pavano
Fransico Liriano
Nick Blackburn

Bullpen
Joe Nathan
Matt Guerrier
Pat Neshek
Jon Rauch
Jose Mijares
Clay Condrey
Jesse Crain

Detroit Tigers (86-77 2nd place 2009 AL Central)

The end of the 2009 campaign is one that the Tigers players, front office, and fans will want to put behind them as they embark on another 162 game regular season (not 163).

They will look forth to contend for the central division yet again, and the Tigers were busy this off-season filling holes left by the departure of Curtis Granderson, Placido Palanco, and Edwin Jackson.

In a seven-player three-team trade the Tigers may have got the best of this deal, as they sent Granderson to the Yankees and Jackson to the Diamndbacks, in return they received CF Austin Jackson, RP Phil Coke from the Yankees and SP Max Scherzer and RP Daniel Schlereth (son of former Denver Broncos lineman Mark Schlereth) from the Diamonbacks.

The Tigers believe Jackson has the speed to account for the loss of Granderson, but they’re not expecting to see the same power production. For that they went out and signed veteran outfielder Johnny Damon to a one-year deal, and he can cover some ground in the outfield, steal a few bases, and hit for some power.

The Tigers front office is hoping to get the same Max Scherzer that was so highly touted coming out of the University of Missouri in 2007. Last season he finished 9-11 with a 4.16 era and 174 strikeouts and look for his win total to go up now that he’s with a team that can produce runs.

He joins a staff of a proven winner in Justin Verlander and rookie standout Rick Porcello (14-9 3.96), and they move Coke and Schlereth to a bullpen in much need of left handed arms.

Veteran closer Jose Valverde moves over from the Astors and he is coming off a very nice season when he went 25 for 29 in save opportunities, despite a injury plagued first half. With a healthy 2010 and help from Coke, Schlereth and flame throwing right hander Joel Zumaya, look for Valverde to have 40+ saves yet again.

Time and patience is growing short for manger Jim Leylend in Detroit and after making it to the World Series in 2006, the Tigers have yet to scratch their way back into the post season. With this being the least talented club since 2006, expect no better than a 3rd place finish from the boys from Motown.
Prediction: (85-77) 3rd place in the AL central

Starting Lineup
Austin Jackson CF
Johnny Damon LF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Carlos Guillen DH
Magglio Ordonez RF
Brandon Inge 3B
Gerald Laird C
Adam Everett SS
Scott Sizemore/Ramon Santiago 2B

Bench
Ryan Raburn OF
Clete Thomas OF
Ramon Santiago INF
Alex Avila C

Starting Rotation

Justin Verlander
Rick Porcello
Max Scherzer
Jeremy Bonderman
Armando Galaragga/Dontrelle Willis

Bullpen
Jose Valverde CL
Joel Zumaya
Zach Miner
Phil Coke
Daniel Schlereth
Bobby Seay
Fu-Te Ni
Alfredo Figaro

Chicago White Sox (79-83 3rd place 2009 AL Central)

As the boys from the south side of Chicago head into the 2010 season, there is nothing but optimism buzzing in the clubhouse. After a disappointing finish to the 2009 season, where the White Sox were pushing towards a Central division title after acquiring RHP Jake Peavy from the Padres and OF Alex Rios from the Blue Jays, the Sox fell 4 games short of their 1st postseason appearance since 2008.

Since then GM Kenny Williams has been busy. He traded away infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields to the Royals for OF and 3B Mark Teahen, who will bring plenty of depth to this Chicago defense. He displayed that he could play any fielding position when playing for the Royals and he will be able to do the same if called upon in Chicago.

GM Kenny Williams didnt stop there. After losing veteran OF Jemaine Dye to free agency he quickly signed the speedy Juan Pierre and veteran OF Andruw Jones. Pierre will fill the void left by Scott Podsednik who was also lost to the free-agent market, and his speed and defense will match that of Scotty Pods,
The club also signed 43 year old SS Omar Vizquel, who spent much of his career playing against this White Sox team as a member of the Cleveland Indians, but Vizquel does not appear to get much playing time behind the Cuban Missile SS Alexi Ramirez.

After watching the strong finish from rookie 2nd basemen Gordan Beckham (.270/14/63) in just 103 games, manager Ozzie Guillen believes that he is the best bat he has on this team full of talented players. If that is the case then watch out for the boys from the southside in 2010.

Carlos Quentin still appears to be the backbone of this offense and if he can find a way to stay healthy and play a full season, and with the veteran leadership from Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, the White Sox may have their sights set on another postseason trip in October.
The pitching staff of this Chicago team is not one to be taken lightly. If you did not know who Mark Buehrle was before the start of last year, you soon came to find out after he threw a perfect game( 1 of only 18 ever thrown) against the defending AL Champs, the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Sox also added RHP Jake Peavy, an NL Cy Young award winner in 2007, and already have rising stars Gavin Floyd and John Danks. Veteran Freddy Garcia will eat some innings and the White Sox appear to have the best rotation in the central entering the 2010 season.

The bullpen in Chicago is one of the deepest it’s had in years. With the arrival of J.J. Putz and Tony Pena, the White Sox now have 2 set up men they can rely on to pave the way for Bobby Jenks. Jenks has done nothing but throw hard and put up big numbers since taking the closers role in Chicago, as he has converted 146 save over 168 chances since getting the nod in 2005.
Look for the White Sox to win 90-95 games this year. If they want to have any dreams of playing in the postseason, Carlos Quentin will need to stay healthy and show the same kind of production he has in the past. At best, I see a second place finish in the Central and yet another year away from being a true contender for a World Series ring.

Prediction: (92-70) 2nd in the AL Central

Starting Lineup

Alexi Ramirez SS
Gordan Beckham 2B
Carlos Quentin RF
Paul Konerko 1B
Alex Rios CF
Andruw Jones DH
A.J. Pierzynski C
Mark Teahen 3B
Juan Pierre LF

Bench
Mark Kotsay OF/1B
Jason Nix Util
Brent Lillibridge 2B/SS
Omar Vizquel SS/2B

Starting Rotation
Jave Peavy
Mark Beuhrle
Gavin Floyd
John Danks
Freddie Garcia

Bullpen
Bobby Jenks CL
Matt Thorton
J.J. Putz
Scott Linebrink
Tony Pena
Randy Williams

Kansas City Royals (65-97 4th 2009 AL Central)

The Royals come into spring this year with a positive outlook and that outlook is #23 Cy-Young award winner Zach Greinke. After an incredible finish to the 2009 campaign, the 26-year-old right hander was a unanimous pick for the AL Cy-Young, as he finished ‘09 with a 16-8 record, 2.16 era, and 242 strikeouts. He boasts the lowest era since Pedro Martinez sported a 1.74 era in the 2000 campaign and his curveball will break a batters knees, while his fastball will keep them guessing all the way back to the dugout. With a new look offense and a solid bullpen behind him, look for a 20 game winner and a favorite going in for yet another AL Cy Young award.

The Royals are stacked with young talent and it is only a question of when and where they will produce. After being touted as the next George Brett of the franchise, 3rd basemen Alex Gordon has not shown that he is willing to take that label. In his first 3 years he’s averaged a dismal (12/47/.240) and if Kansas City hopes to make any noise at all in the basement of the Central Division, then Gordon has to step up and produce.

He needs to follow by example of the other young stars that were drafted in 2005 (i.e. Braun, Zimmerman, Upton, Tulowitzki, Ellsbury, Bruce, McCutcheon). Another rising star is 1B Billy Butler, who had a very strong second half to the 2009 campaign that most veteran players would be happy with. Butler hit 14 HR in 332 at bats and finished the year with 51 doubles, 22 homeruns, and a .301 average. If he could turn just 10 of those doubles into longballs, then everyone in Kansas City will forget about #4 sitting at the other hot corner. Slowly but surely Butler is making a name for himself.

Not a lot has changed with the bullpen of the Royals this year, and that maybe a cause for concern (22 blown saves in 2009). The Royals bullpen however has one of the best closers in baseball, and if you thought Greinke’s curve was nasty, take a look at Joakim Soria’s 12-6 bender. He only accounted for 3 blown saves in 2009, while converting 30 with a 2.21 ERA and 69 K’s in only 53 innings.

What is GM Dayton Moore thinking? Maybe he knows something we don’t. I think we all know if the Royals are going to win more than 75 games this year, they better add some much needed help in the bullpen.

Manager Trey Hillman is entering his 3rd year as the Royals skipper, and although he had plenty of success in Japan, he has yet to lead anyone to believe that he is capable of turning this team into a contender. Look for Trey to be on the hot seat come mid summer if this team isn’t hovering in the middle of Central race.

Prediction: (75-87) 4th in the AL Central

Starting Lineup

Scott Podsednik LF
Rick Ankiel CF
David DeJesus RF
Billy Butler 1B
Jose Guillen DH
Alex Gordon 3B
Miguel Olivo C
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Alberto Callaspo 2B

Bench
Josh Fields 3B
Chris Getz 2B
Willie Bloomquist Util.

Rotation
Zach Greinke
Gil Meche
Brian Bannister
Luke Hochever
Kyle Davies

Bullpen
Joakim Soria CL
Juan Cruz
Kyle Farnsworth
Ramon Colon
Carlos Rosa
Victor Marte
Anthony Lerew

Cleveland Indians (65-97 4th 2009 AL Central)

The Cleveland Indians break camp with many questions about their big league roster. The offense which ranked 12th in all of baseball in 2009 has a few concerns, and one is whether or not their most productive player from 2009 will be there in 2010.

Shinn Soo Choo is waiting to hear from the South Korean government on whether or not he will be playing in 2010. In South Korea every able bodied male must serve at least two years of military service by the age of 30 and Choo is fast approaching his 28th birthday in July. However, there is a catch. If Choo were to join South Koreas squad to play in the 2010 Asian games, and take home the gold, then the Korean government would pardon him and he is currently in negotiations with the Indians whether or not he will be able too.

The Indians hope to get back a healthy Jake Westbrook to anchor the pitching staff, although he has not pitched since 2008. Westbrook who averaged 15 wins from ’04-’07 but has not reached double digits since. In 30 starts since then he has only seven wins and spent most of 2009 on the DL.

With a pitching staff ranked 29th in all of baseball in 2009, they can only hope he can turn things around, but their bullpen does not bode well either. Seven of the eight relievers have only 15 years of major league experience combined and this will only be Kerry Wood’s third season in the ‘pen.

After a disappointing 2009 the Indians front office sent Eric Wedge and the entire coaching staff to the exits. They hired former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta and he certainly has a lot of work cut out for him in the stacked American League Central.

This Indians team is full of talented position players, but where they excel in offense, they lack in pitching. Expect to see a lot of offense put up only to watch the bullpen give it right back. This ball club is still three to five years away from being a true contender in the Central.

Prediction:(66-96) 5th in the AL Central

Starting Lineup
Grady Sizmore CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Travis Hafner DH
Shinn-Soo Choo RF
Johnny Peralta 3B
Russel Branyan 1B
Lou Marson C
Luis Valbuena 2B
Michael Brantley LF

Bench
Matt Laporta 1B
Mike Redmond C
Trevor Crowe OF

Starting Rotation
Jake Westbrook
Fausto Carmona
David Huff
Justin Masterson
Aaron Laffey

Bullpen
Kerry Wood CL
Rafael Perez
Chris Perez
Jensen Lewis
Tony Sipp
Joe Smith

by
Ben Olson