AL Central Capsule: A Preview...

Well, I expect the American League Central to be real close and competitive. Let me know what you think about the picks.

Chicago White Sox (93-69): The White Sox have found it hard to replicate the success of the 2005 season, and know first hand repeating as a champion is hard.

The bread and butter of the team, the pitching faltered last season and a bad stretch after the second half doomed the White Sox. While they will still have a formidable lineup in 2007, with a great offense; however, with trade of Freddy Garcia, the pitching is less stable than it has been in the past. As well, the team is a year older and the division will be real tough.

Under the watchful of charismatic, yet controversial manger, Ozzie Guillen, much of the core of the team returns as well as several new additions, such as former Angel Darrin Erstad, Andrew Sisco from the Royals, along with Gavin Floyd, Toby Hall, & David Aardsma. Meanwhile, Brandon McCarthy got traded for 3 pitchers.

The powerful offense of 2006 should return this upcoming season, as they led in most statistical categories and once again put the fear in opposing pitchers. In terms of the everyday starting lineup, the offense should look just as formidable as it did last year, with key members Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Joe Crede and AJ Pierzynski in the fold.

As with every team, the key to a good season lies with starting pitching and the White Sox have a great staff, but it went through some changes as well in the winter. The rotation seems pretty much set with Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, Mark Buerhle in the 5th slot.

The bullpen is good but not great, and Bobby Jenks needs to regain the form he had in 2005.


Detroit Tigers (91-71): Although they flat-lined in the World Series, the Detroit Tigers look to be one the strongest teams in the American League Central due to their strength of the pitching rotation, but I think they will finish a close second.

Although the team lost the AL Central title on the last day to the Minnesota Twins; nevertheless, they got into the playoffs via the wild, they dismantled the Yankees and the Athletics on an impressive playoff run.

This offseason, GM Dave Dumbrowski ushered in a few more changes. The Tigers lost pitcher Jamie Walker to free agency and traded Humberto Sanchez, but added Gary Sheffield, Edward Campusano along with Jose Mesa.

The batting order was pretty hack-happy and lacked plate discipline at times, the bats were productive and with new addition, Gary Sheffield, the Tigers should be in great shape. Even though Sheffield is inching closer to 40, assuming he’s fine from the wrist inury, his lethal bat and swing propel the Tigers to greater heights. Although Detroit showed a lot of power and were stop leaders in batting average, there’s room for improvement.

For the most part, the team that led the Tigers on their magical run to the World Series will return. Armed with incredible starting pitching and an offense that was potent, but at times undisciplined at the plate & free swinging, the city will expect bigger and better from the Tigers this upcoming season.

The only question I’d have for Tigers would be will the starting pitching, especially the youths (Verlander, Robertson, and Bonderman) regress, or can they step up their games even more? As well, will the ageless Kenny Rogers continue his resurgence or will his age show?

Verlander won 17 games en route to the Rookie of the Year Award, and the Tigers are hoping he does not regress at all. Bonderman won 14 games and also should be a candidate to stay at the same level or improve. Robertson was 13-13 with a 3.84 ERA, but he’s got the makeup and arsenal to improve on his 2006.

Under the masterful watch of Jim Leyland, the Tigers shocked the sports world and with only a few players leaving the organization from last year, the Tigers are primed to contend.


Cleveland Indians (89-72): Well, I may be going on a limb here, but I’m picking the Indians a close third to the Detroit Tigers.

Even though the team fell to only 78 wins in 2006 after winning 90+ and contending for a playoff spot until the final weekend, the Indians will shock and awe. Led by big bat Travis Hafner, and super-star in the making, Grady Sizemore, the team should be formidable in 2007.

The Indians are a young team on the rise with a great, talented core. This upcoming season, they are looking to make an impact as well as gun for the American League Central crown. All in all, the Indians have nothing but a bright outlook for 2007 and the road beyond.

During the winter, the team lost Aaron Boone to free agency and Andrew Brown along with Kevin Kouzmanoff to trades. In the offseason, the team acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from the San Diego Padres; pitchers Joe Borowski, Aaron Fultz and Roberto Hernandez via free agency, and signed former Red Sox right fielder, Trot Nixon.

The bullpen for Cleveland has been revamped for ‘07 and is stocked with long time veterans. The relief corps has been vastly improved after only after a disastrous 2006 where they could not close out games and often blew game wide open for the opposition.

For the Indians to contend, they will need everyone to step up.


Minnesota Twins (85-77): I have a very soft spot for the Minnesota Twins, as I like their grit and their ability to win despite the mass resources of the big financial powerhouses, I find them hard pressed to duplicate what they did in 2006 for 2007. The team roared back after a bad start to win the division, but may be hard pressed to duplicate the same feat next season.

Under the guidance of manager Ron Gardenhire, and GM Terry Ryan, the small market Twins, despite their lack of resources in comparison to the powerhouse New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have been able to compete this decade thanks to intelligent scouting along with fostering a culture of winning and nurturing young talent.

The Twins will suffer at times thanks to the starting pitching and not making much of a dent in the free agent market. Even though Santana will be money, the rest of the staff is unknown. The team will need Boof Bonser to continure his upward climb, Matt Garza to be consistent and retreads like Ramon Ortiz, Sidney Ponson to find some magic within.

Brad Radke is retired, and Francisco Liriano is done for 2007, so the youngsters will need to bring their A-game on to get the Twins in contention.

The bullpen should remain strong with Joe Nathan closing, and big bats Joe Mauer, AL MVP Justin Morneau & Michael Cuddyer should be solid as well as not regress, and gritty players like Nick Punto, Jason Tyner and Jason Bartlett should compliment the big bats nicely.

Twins have a lot of positives going for them, but they once again may have a mountain to climb. The positives are that the Twins really did not lose any of their core players, and much of the starting lineup you saw in 2006 should be back for 2007. With Twin mainstay and human highlight film, Torii Hunter returning, along with the aforementioned Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddyer, the Twins offense should be able to maintain or perhaps even exceed 2006. As well, the Twins also had some young pitching come up the pipeline and contribute as well in both the rotation and bullpen.

However, as much heart and grit this team has, they’ll find it hard to duplicate the magic of 2006, but I still see them as players in the AL Central.


Kansas City Royals (67-95): Well, sadly, a great baseball town, Kansas City, will most likely see their team finish last – again. Although the team is improved, they still don’t have nearly enough to contend, much less finish over .500.

Much of the off-season talk was about improving the organization; stock-piling the farm system for the future and the team is taking steps to do that.

The biggest move of the winter the team made was signing Gil Meche to a 5 year, 55 million dollar contract which raises the eyes of many. He’ll help add a veteran presence to a young and inexperienced rotation. If Zack Greinke returns, and Brian Bannister can be solid, the Royals might surprise and inch closer to .500.

Octavio Dotel is the new bullpen which should also help, but it will still struggle.

In light of the gloom and doom, the team has a lot of potential with third baseman Mark Teahan, David DeJesus and Ryan Shealy in the fold. However, the team is fairly devoid of power and will find it to go toe to toe with the AL powerhouses, much less teams in their division.

It looks like the Royals have a plan, and they will be better – it perhaps may be several years more of losing before it happens.

If Gil Meche, the new additions and young players can develop and play to their potential, the Royal may be competitive and very much surprise the competition in the American League.

Fans should take solace; there was a team once in their position of the Royals – the Detroit Tigers.

Don’t forget how they ended up finishing.