2010 Preview - AL Central

Everyone agrees this is a three team race (Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota) and after Joe Nathan went down for the season a few weeks ago it has become even more of a toss-up. This is a division that has gone down to the wire the last two seasons and looks to do so again. The winner might only need 86 - 88 wins to pull that off, but the other two should be close at their heels in the mid-80s. This is a study in contrasts with the White Sox deep pitching staff, the Twins thundering bats, and the Tigers infusion of youth at key positions. It should be fun to watch them battle it out! So, who will come out on top?

1. Minnesota Twins

The bottom line is it is hard to bet against the Twins and Ron Gardenhire with their track record the past several years. Every time they lose key players (to free agency, trade, injury) someone seems to step up and push them into the playoffs. Even without Joe Nathan this team looks tough to beat. After reports this spring, it appears Fransisco Liriano may be back to form and recovered from his surgery a couple years ago. If he continues to throw as well as he has, Minnesota won't might just forget all this Joe Nathan drama. The bullpen still has quality arms and while the rotation is not dominant, they should give the offense a chance most nights. But with this lineup that could be any night...

The primary reason to bet on the Twins winning the Central again in 2010 is their stacked lineup, which could rival the Yankees for the AL's best. In addition to All-American boy Joe Mauer, the Twins have another former MVP in Justin Morneau, who is healthy again after finishing on the DL. On top of that you have to deal with Kubel and Cuddyer, not to mention the additions of Jim Thome and JJ Hardy, making this a power packed lineup from top to bottom. Denard Span is more than just a nightly highlight reel in center...he can hit and run, too, giving Minnesota a little versatility. They should put on a pretty good show for those fans freezing their butts off at Target Field in early April...and likely early October.

2. Chicago White Sox

I hesitate to pick the Sox ahead of Detroit, but their pitching staff looks like it should be the best in the AL, with a deep rotation and hard-throwing bullpen. All five starters will give Chicago great innings every night and having a healthy, full season of Jake Peavy gives them another veteran leader to go with Mark Buehrle. Gavin Floyd and John Danks are looking better and better. The only question mark is whether they can get 25+ starts from Freddy Garcia, who has not pitched a full season since 2006. If he is healthy, Garcia is a workhorse who will go 200+ IP and will keep the bullpen well rested. The White Sox shouldn't give up many runs this year.

But where will their runs come from? While the pitching staff remains much the same, the offense received an overhaul, most notably losing long-time sluggers Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye and while adding Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones. Chicago will have a balanced lineup with a number of veterans, but need a star to emerge. It is probably still too soon for that star to be Gordon Beckham or even Alexi Ramirez, but perhaps Carlos Quentin will return to being the power threat he was before a rash of injuries slowed him the last couple seasons. To stay in the mix the Sox won't need to lead the league in runs, but they will need to find some production from this hard to predict mix.

3. Detroit Tigers

Detroit could just as easily finish first as third, but a lot of that will ride on the development of their young players, especially Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. After a phenomenal showing his rookie season, Porcello will be tested to repeat that performance and will likely fall a little short given his lackluster K/BB ratio. Scherzer is also one to watch and turned in a solid first season himself for a poor Arizona club, striking out hitters at a K/IP clip. He provides another power arm behind potential Cy Young Justin Verlander. The Tigers will need all three to step up with the back end of the rotation bringing a lot of questions into the start of the year. Bonderman appears healthy, but he and Willis have a lot to prove after a few shaky years.

There is a lot to like in the Tigers rookie hitters, as well, and there are high hopes for Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore to make an immediate impact. Jackson will have tough shoes to fill replacing Granderson at the plate, but might even be a step up in the field. And the addition of Damon should help make up for the loss of his bat. The Tigers D will be solid up the middle, helping their pitching staff tremendously. The real question for the lineup will be what kind of Magglio Ordonez Detroit will get. They will need him to get his power back to pose a threat behind Miguel Cabrera, who should have another excellent year.

If the Tiger's young players mature quickly, this will be the team to beat in the Central. I just see too much hanging on the production of those key players to put them in first.

5. Cleveland Indians

No, that is not a missprint. I am predicting the Indians and Royals to finished tied in the basement, just like last season. This is just a bad team. The fact that they finished last season tied with the Royals is already proof of that. But hearing that they might have Justin Masterson as their opening day starter says a lot about this team, too. They are counting on major comebacks from Jake Westbrook (who hasn't looked good), Fausto Carmona (who has), and Grady Sizemore (who should be solid again, but can't carry the team). Even assuming they all perform to their potential the Indians will not be a good club. That would put them ahead of the Royals, but not by a longshot.

I do like Shin-Soo Choo, though...and not just because his name is fun to say.

5. Kansas City Royals

How exactly were the Royals not in the contraction discussions a few years back? It seems like forever since they were relevant or even interesting, but at least they have one exciting player to watch. Zach Greinke is probably the only reason to pay attention to this team. I may throw in Billy Butler if I'm feeling generous. This team is just not going anywhere. Even their veteran signings don't make much sense...what are they really expecting out of Jason Kendall or Kyle Farnsworth? I admit that as a Cardinal fan I'm pulling for Rick Ankiel to develop into a great everyday player and it was probably a pretty risk-free move to sign him. So, that will certainly be my only reason to keep up with the Royals other than every 5th day.

Does George Brett have a son coming through the system, by any chance?