LDN - Sports

AL Central: Twins, Tribe set for showdown

[March 29, 2018] CLEVELAND INDIANS

2017 record: 102-60, first in AL Central

What's new

Following the philosophy of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," the Indians look strikingly similar to last season's bunch with one notable exception. They lost first baseman Carlos Santana and his patient hitting approach to the Phillies and replaced him with Yonder Alonso. Until last season, Alonso never reached double digits in homers. He changed his swing and blasted 28 long balls for Oakland and Seattle and will now hit fifth or sixth in the Indians' potent lineup. Francisco Lindor, who batted second a majority of the time last season, is slated to take over the leadoff spot. Lindor could have a 30-30 season if he looks to steal more often.

Youth movement

Bradley Zimmer was called up in mid-May last season and immediately became a fixture in center field. His season was cut short in September by a broken hand, but he could challenge for a Gold Glove in his second year. Francisco Mejia is a catcher by trade, but the 22-year-old is blocked by the duo of Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes. He will start the season in the minors learning to play the outfield. Cleveland hopes he can handle a corner spot well enough to get his big bat in the lineup.

Fearless prediction

Trevor Bauer builds off his second-half surge and wins more games than either ace Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco. Jose Ramirez, not Lindor, challenges for the American League MVP award. Ramirez (29 homers, .318 last year) has the ability to hit 40 homers and still maintain a .300 average. Without any real challengers in the division, the Indians cruise into the playoffs and ride their brilliant staff to the World Series for the second time in three seasons.

Projected rotation

RHP Corey Kluber

RHP Carlos Carrasco

RHP Trevor Bauer

RHP Mike Clevinger

RHP Josh Tomlin

Projected lineup

SS Francisco Lindor

2B Jason Kipnis

3B Jose Ramirez

DH Edwin Encarnacion

LF Michael Brantley

1B Yonder Alonso

RF Lonnie Chisenhall

C Roberto Perez

CF Bradley Zimmer

MINNESOTA TWINS

2017 record: 85-77, second in AL Central

What's new

A depressed free agent market allowed the Twins to swoop in and sign several veterans to friendly contracts in their push for a second straight postseason appearance. They hope to squeeze another good season out of 41-year-old closer Fernando Rodney, who saved 39 games for Arizona a year ago. Addison Reed will be the main setup man and can take over if Rodney flops. Logan Morrison had a career year with Tampa Bay last season, smashing 38 homers, and Minnesota is counting on similar production from him as its full-time DH. Lance Lynn made a strong comeback from Tommy John surgery. He fortifies the rotation. The Twins added another big rotation piece by trading with the Rays for Jake Odorizzi.

Youth movement

While the remainder of the rotation is filled with steady but unspectacular veterans, Jose Berrios has the goods to be an ace for many years. The 23-year-old Berrios won 14 games and posted a sub-4.00 ERA last year, and his power sinker will continue to miss many bats. Side-armer Trevor Hildenberger showed excellent control in 37 relief appearances last season (six walks, 44 strikeouts), and he could be the team's future closer. For now, he will pitch the sixth or seventh inning. Left-handed-batting Zack Granite can back up each outfield spot.

Fearless prediction

The light bulb went on for Byron Buxton during the second half of last season, and he will continue to build on that breakthrough. The league's fastest player will make everyone take notice this season with a 25-40 season. An 80-game PED suspension for shortstop Jorge Polanco puts a damper on expectations, but the Twins will contend for a playoff berth once again. Their shaky bullpen will prevent them from realizing that goal.

Projected rotation

RHP Jose Berrios

RHP Jake Odorizzi

RHP Lance Lynn

RHP Kyle Gibson

RHP Phil Hughes

Projected lineup

2B Brian Dozier

1B Joe Mauer

3B Miguel Sano

DH Logan Morrison

LF Eddie Rosario

CF Byron Buxton

RF Max Kepler

SS Eduardo Escobar

C Jason Castro

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2017 record: 80-82, third in AL Central

What's new

Losing Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain in free agency signals the end of an era for a core group that played in two consecutive World Series and won it all in 2015. The Royals didn't have much money to spend, but they plugged holes by handing out several one-year contracts. Lucas Duda can't replace Hosmer's Gold Glove defense or hit .300, but he can slug 30-35 homers if his balky back doesn't flare up. Jon Jay doesn't hit homers, but he can score runs (.374 on-base percentage with the Cubs last season). Wily Peralta was awful in Milwaukee before getting designated for assignment, but the Royals hope he can turn his career around as a full-time reliever. Kansas City took a hit the day before its season opener when All-Star catcher Salvador Perez tore the MCL in his left knee while taking his suitcase upstairs at his home. He will miss four to six weeks.

Youth movement

Jakob Junis had a promising debut last season, going 9-3 in 20 appearances, including 16 starts. He doesn't have an overpowering fastball but mixes his pitches well and should hold down a rotation spot. Jorge Soler was a bust after being acquired from the Cubs for closer Wade Davis last season but has looked like a different player this spring. The 26-year-old Soler seems primed to become a fixture in the outfield.

Fearless prediction

The Royals opted against trading impending free agents last summer in order to make one last run at a playoff spot. That plan failed, and they won't be reluctant this year to trade Mike Moustakas and veteran starting pitchers Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel at the deadline for prospects. They likely will do just that, going into a full rebuild, yet they still will win enough games to finish third in the division once again.

Projected rotation

LHP Danny Duffy

RHP Ian Kennedy

RHP Jason Hammel

RHP Jakob Junis

RHP Nate Karns

Projected lineup

LF Jon Jay

2B Whit Merrifield

3B Mike Moustakas

1B Lucas Duda

DH Cheslor Cuthbert

RF Jorge Soler

CF Alex Gordon

C Drew Butera

SS Alcides Escobar

[to top of second column]

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2017 record: 67-95, fourth in AL Central

What's new

Catcher Welington Castillo hit a career-high 20 home runs in just 96 games with Baltimore last season, then parlayed that into a two-year contract with the White Sox. He will significantly upgrade that position offensively and bat in the middle of the lineup. Miguel Gonzalez, who got traded to the Rangers last summer, returned to Chicago, signing a one-year contract. The 33-year-old right-hander had a miserable 2017 season (8-13, 4.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) but is expected to hold down a rotation spot, at least until Carlos Rodon's projected June return from shoulder surgery.

Youth movement

Much-hyped Yoan Moncada will get to display his array of skills as the full-time second baseman after appearing in 54 games in 2017 (.231, eight homers). Moncada, 22, will bat first or second and provide speed and power but needs to cut down on his strikeouts. After handing the ball to the likes of journeymen Mike Pelfrey and Derek Holland last season, the White Sox will rely on more talented and inexperienced arms with Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer in the rotation. None is older than 24. Giolito and Lopez were acquired prior to last season from the Nationals in the Adam Eaton deal while Fulmer was the team's 2015 first-round pick. Giolito, who posted a 2.38 ERA in seven starts last season, should emerge quickly as the team's ace.

Fearless prediction

Avisail Garcia won't come close to duplicating his .330 average but improves his power numbers by hitting 30 home runs. James Shields continues to be an albatross and loses his rotation spot in midseason. The White Sox's rebuilding project is more advanced than that of division rivals Kansas City and Detroit, but Chicago just doesn't have enough power or pitching depth to improve upon its fourth-place finish.

Projected rotation

RHP James Shields

RHP Lucas Giolito

RHP Miguel Gonzalez

RHP Reynaldo Lopez

RHP Carson Fulmer

Projected lineup

2B Yoan Moncada

LF Leury Garcia

1B Jose Abreu

RF Avisail Garcia

C Welington Castillo

DH Nicky Delmonico

SS Tim Anderson

CF Adam Engel

3B Yolmer Sanchez

DETROIT TIGERS

2017 record: 64-98, fifth in AL Central

What's new

With the franchise undergoing a major rebuild, GM Al Avila and owner Chris Ilitch hired longtime Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to replace Brad Ausmus. Gardenhire will be entrusted with developing the team's younger players, but most of the top prospects are still a year or two away from the majors. Leonys Martin was signed to take over center field and bat leadoff. A pair of 30-something pitchers, lefty Francisco Liriano and righty Mike Fiers, were signed to one-year contracts to compete for rotation spots. If the Tigers get lucky, they could flip one or both for a prospect before the trade deadline. Speedy outfielder Victor Reyes, a Rule 5 draft pick from the Diamondbacks, will get every chance to prove himself.

Youth movement

Dixon Machado bided his time as a utility infielder last season and now gets a starting role. He will replace second baseman Ian Kinsler, who was traded to the Angels, and he could hit .280 with regular playing time. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario batted .283 in 38 games after being acquired from the Cubs last season. He could hit second in the order and score 80-90 runs batting in front of Miguel Cabrera and Nicholas Castellanos.

Fearless prediction

Martin flops in his audition as a leadoff hitter and loses his job to Reyes. Castellanos quietly hits 40 homers for one of the league's worst teams. Michael Fulmer, who underwent an elbow procedure last season, has a strong first half and then gets traded to a contender for multiple prospects. The Tigers might be an early-season surprise, but the need to keep accumulating assets will drain their talent pool at the trade deadline, and they will wind up in the basement for the second consecutive season.

Projected rotation

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

RHP Michael Fulmer

LHP Francisco Liriano

LHP Matthew Boyd

RHP Mike Fiers

Projected lineup

CF Leonys Martin

3B Jeimer Candelario

1B Miguel Cabrera

RF Nicholas Castellanos

DH Victor Martinez

C James McCann

LF Mikie Mahtook

2B Dixon Machado

SS Jose Iglesias

--Field Level Media

Back to top