Last year, this competitive division needed 163 games to decide the champion of the division. This year we could see a very similar scenario in which several teams in this division could compete for a playoff spot. Let's take a look at each team in the AL Central.
1. Minnesota Twins
The winners of the 163rd game, the Twins lost to the Yankees in the ALDS last season. This year in the Twins outfield, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young will split time in left field, with Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer returning to provide sparks offensively. Kubel and Jim Thome will also split time at DH, with Thome getting the bulk of the work at DH. On the infield, Brendan Harris will start at 3rd, with JJ Hardy (acquired in the offseason from Milwaukee) at shortstop and veteran Orlando Hudson at second. Justin Morneau and AL MVP Joe Mauer will provide big bats for the Twins offense this year. On the bench will likely be Jason Kubel, Nick Pinto, Alexi Casilla, and Drew Butera The rotation doesn't have a true ace, but Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn will do their best at the top of the rotation. Carl Pavano, Kevin Slowey, and former prospect Francisco Liriano make up the rest of the pitching staff. The loss of Joe Nathan will greatly hurt the Twins bullpen this year, but Jon Rauch will step into the All-Star's shoes for the Twins this year. Jesse Crain, Pat Neshek, and Jose Mijares are names we will hear often in the Twins bullpen. The Twins have a powerful offense, and the pitching is definitely coming along. Overall, I see this team making the playofss again this year.
2. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox had a disappointing year last year in terms of their finish in the division (3rd Place, 79-83). In the outfield Juan Pierre, the speedster acquired in a trade from Los Angeles, will start in left, with Alex Rios looking to bounce back in center and Carlos Quentin will play right field. Veterans Paul Konerko and Mark Teahen will play corner infield positions, with Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham, two solid young players will start in the middle infield. AJ Pierzynski will do the catching for Chicago this year. Andruw Jones will likely DH for the ChiSox, and will try to return to his Atlanta form. The bench consists of Mark Kotsay (OF, .292/3 HR/18 RBI), Omar Vizquel (SS, .266/1/14), Jayson Nix (2B, .224/12/32), and Donny Lucy (C, Did not play last year). The pitching staff will be headed by two strong pitchers, Mark Buehrle, who threw a perfect game last year, and Jake Peavy, who was injured for most of the year last year and was acquired from San Diego at the trade deadline. Gavin Floyd and John Danks (11 wins and 13 wins respectively last year) will make up the bottom of the rotation with Freddy Garcia. The bullpen will see Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton, and JJ Putz this year, with Bobby Jenks closing games. The White Sox have a good rotation, but need a heavy hitter to contend for a World Series, but will definitely play well in divisional play.
3. Detroit Tigers
The losers of the 163rd game last year, the Tigers traded away all-star centefielder Curtis Granderson to the Yankees, and SP Edwin Jackson to the D'Backs. Johnny Damon, acquired in free agency, will start in left field, with former Yankee prospect Austin Jackson in center. Magglio Ordoñez will try to rebound from a disappointing season last year (9 HR/50 RBI) as the Tigers everyday rightfielder. Carlos Guillen will play DH, as well as spell at 3rd and in the outfield. The infield in led by All-Star first baseman Miguel Cabrera, with Ramon Santiago, Adam Everett, and Brandon Inge around the rest of the diamond. Gerald Laird will start the year behind the plate, but Alex Avila could take his spot later in the year. Second baseman prospect Scott Sizemore could take over for Santiago later in the year. Also on the bench will be OF's Ryan Raburn and Don Kelly. In the rotation, Justin Verlander, the hard throwing rigty, will be the ace, with newly acquired Max Scherzer (acquired in the Edwin Jackson trade from Arizona), and Dontrelle Willis, returning from injuries and an anxiety disorder should be solid starters. Rick Porcello will try to avoid a sophomore slump this year and maintain his solid numbers from last year (14 wins). Veteran Jeremy Bonderman will finish the rotation, but he has been suspended for three games. In the bullpen, we will see Phil Coke, Fu-Te Ni, and Joel Zumaya. José Valverde will be the closer for Detroit this year. The Tigers are a good team, but there are too many question marks for them to make the playoffs this year.
4. Kansas City Royals
Yes, the Royals, the perennial bottom feeders of the AL Central. I think these Royals will rise above the Indians for the 4th spot in the division. A revamped outfield that contains Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel, along with RF David DeJesus. In the infield, Alberto Callaspo will start at 3rd, with Yuniesky Betacourt and Chris Getz make up the double play dou for the Royals, and heavy hitter Billy Butler starts at first. Behind the plate will be veteran Jason Kendall. The DH will be Jose Guillen. On the bench will be Mitch Maier, Willie Bloomquist, Mike Aviles, and Bryan Pena. A rotation led by a Cy Young winner is always solid, and KC has Zack Greinke at the head, followed by Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, and Brian Bannister. Robinson Tejada, Juan Cruz, and Kyle Farnsworth are the top arms in the pen, with Joakim Soria as the closer. The Royals have some prospects developing (3B Mike Moustakas, 1B Eric Hosmer, P Daniel Duffy) and could get much better when all their pieces fall into place. This year, however, will be a stepping stone for future years in Kansas City,
5. Cleveland Indians
The Indians are a struggling team that needs prospects to come up soon for them to compete with the rest of the central. The outfield is a bright spot, with Michael Brantley in left, Grady Sizemore in CF, and Shin Soo Choo in right. In the infield, Jhonny Peralta will start at 3rd, with Asdrubal Cabrera at short, Luis Valbuena at second, and Matt Laporta at first. Behind the plate will be Lou Marson, with high ranked prospect, C Carlos Santana in AAA this year, and likely to appear in the majors soon. The DH will be veteran Travis Hafner. Austin Kearns, Andy Marte, and Mike Redmond make up the bench for the Indians. The pitching staff is where Cleveland falls apart, with Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, David Huff, and Mitch Talbot in the rotation. None of these guys are true aces, which will cause Cleveland to struggle a lot. Masterson, Huff, and Talbot have potential, but are not top of the rotation quality yet. Overall I think the Indians are not a very good team, and will likely struggle to stay in the race for the Central very long.
So in the Central, I have the Twins winning the division. The next preview will be the AL East, one of the more powerful divisions in baseball. Make sure to check out the exciting division containing the Yankees and Red Sox!
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