For a while, the Detroit Tigers were in control of the American League Central but things have turned the last couple of seasons. The Kansas City Royals are now the defending World Series champions and the favorite to repeat as division champs once again. Detroit is clinging to contender status while the Cleveland Indians might just have the best rotation in the game. All of the teams have pretty good upside – even the Minnesota Twins – whose top prospects need to start producing. Don’t forget the about the Chicago White Sox, though, as they will look to make some non-babysitting news once the season starts.
Kansas City Royals
Odds to win World Series: 14/1
Notable Additions: Ian Kennedy, Joakim Soria
Notable Losses: Ben Zobrist, Alex Rios, Johnny Cueto
The Royals can win because they know how to. This is a club that has been to two straight World Series while winning last year’s edition. They have kept the team largely intact bringing back Alex Gordon for some relatively big bucks. They are fantastic on defense and know how to win ball games late thanks to clutch hitting and the American League’s best bullpen. A few faces have changed but the formula hasn’t…and it works. They enter the season as the team to beat in the American League Central.
Detroit Tigers
Odds to win World Series: 20/1
Notable Additions: Justin Upton, Jordan Zimmerman, Francisco Rodriguez
Notable Losses: Alex Avila, Rajai Davis, Joe Nathan
The Tigers can win because they refuse to quit adding to their team until they find the right mix. This year, they added a couple of established National Leaguers in Upton and Zimmerman. Upton is a quality bat in the lineup and maybe his power surges in the American League while Zimmerman never got his due in Washington. He is a top three in the rotation guys giving the Tigers a lot of innings to work with. They’re the big spenders in the division – as per usual – but we’ll see if it finally pays off.
Cleveland Indians
Odds to win World Series: 20/1
Notable Additions: Rajai Davis, Will Venable, Marlon Byrd
Notable Losses: No significant losses
The Indians can win because they have the best rotation in baseball. The foursome of Corey Kluber, Daniel Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco all have the ability to dominate a lineup any time they take the field. These guys are strikeout artists and they appear to be banking that their incremental improvement that will give a lineup that is maybe better than average a chance to win a lot of ball games. It could work.
Chicago White Sox
Odds to win World Series: 33/1
Notable Additions: Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Mat Latos
Notable Losses: Jeff Samardzija, Adam LaRoche
The White Sox can win because they made the right moves. Last year, Chicago may have won the offseason but that did not turn into in-season success. This year’s moves are not as dramatic, but they have lengthened the lineup with the additions of Frazier and Lawrie, getting younger and more dynamic in the process. They have a good lineup to go with an underrated pitching staff.
The main issue with the White Sox right now is team chemistry after the LaRoche situation (he removed himself from the team after his son was banned from the dugout). A lot of teammates spoke out in his favor and bumped heads with management, so we’ll see if this is something that brings them together or pulls them apart.
Minnesota Twins
Odds to win World Series: 55/1
Notable Additions: John Ryan Murphy, Byung Ho Park
Notable Losses: Mike Pelfrey, Torii Hunter, Aaron Hicks
The Twins can win because they have some talent that is ready to erupt in prospects Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton. If those guys take a leap forward this team could have a sneakily good offense. Joe Mauer is past his prime, but if he is your fourth or fifth best hitter, then your team is definitely alright. The pitching still has a ways to go but maybe there is a surprise there too to keep this group in the hunt.
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