Preview of the American League Central Division
1.Cleveland Indians- Few people seem to remember how close the Cleveland Indians were to beating out the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central. The pitching problems and lack of clutch hitting down the stretch beleaguered the Tribe but an off season of remembering what could have been will help Cleveland take the division. Key to their success in 2006 will be the strength of a new starting pitching staff, how closer Bob Wickman performs as closer, and how the young hitters in this lineup will mature. The loss of Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton leaves C.C. Sabathia and newcomer Paul Byrd to head a pitching staff that could be great, if they stay healthy. Bob Wickman is always perilously close to blowing his save opportunities but if he stays on the right side of peril, the Indians will start winning more close games. If Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner repeat their power numbers from 2005, they will guide a strong supporting cast to the head of the division.
2. Chicago White Sox- The World Series champion White Sox reloaded in the off season with the addition of first baseman Jim Thome, pitcher Javier Vazquez, and outfielder Rob Mackowiak. While they lost a number of players in free agency, most were either on the decline (Frank Thomas), were overrated (Carl Everett, Orlando Hernandez) or were valuable trade bait (Aaron Rowand). However, the Indians’ failure down the stretch last year won’t be repeated this year and the White Sox will be relegated to the wild card spot in the American League playoffs. But Chicago will still be a favorite for the World Series and no matter where they play in the playoffs, they will put out a more talented lineup than their opponents. Their hitting is nearly flawless, with Scott Podsednik, Juan Uribe, and Jermaine Dye will set the table for Thome and Paul Konerko. The pitching rotation includes outstanding arms Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, and Javier Vazquez along with an improving bullpen.
3. Minnesota Twins- If the Minnesota Twins had any semblance of a major league office, they would have been a wild card team and a major threat in the playoffs. Superstar ace Johan Santana and a strong pitching staff including Carlos Silva and Brad Radke keep the lid on major mistakes and kept a lot of games close. On the other side, batters like Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau represented the lack of patience among Twins fielders. Injury plagues the lineup as well, with Rondell White, Luis Castillo, and Shannon Stewart attempting to shed the term “injury plagued” from their biographies. Young players like catcher Joe Mauer and short stop Jason Bartlett need to anchor this team in order for it to stay within striking distance of the wild card or it will be another year of wasted pitching.
4. Detroit Tigers- Detroit’s new manager, veteran Jim Leyland, should have no want for talent on either side of the lineup. But the pitching staff and batting order is loaded with underachievers and aging superstars. Making no major additions in the off season, the Tigers are hoping that Leyland’s sage advice will spark a fire within team leaders Ivan Rodriguez and newcomers Magglio Ordonez, Todd Jones, and Kenny Rogeres. Rodriguez is on the downside of his career, Rogers is good in games that don’t matter, and Ordonez has problems with health and fulfilling his potential. The Tigers’ best hope is that young pitchers Mike Maroth and Jeremy Bonderman can take advantage of a tough hitter’s park to pitch some low scoring innings. The Tigers need to do something soon before they scrap their team and rebuild, instead of reload.
5. Kansas City Royals- What is there to say about the lowly Royals? The infield combination of second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and first baseman Doug Mientkiweicz will give television and radio announcers a mouth full on the double play. All kidding aside, the Royals continue to be in dire circumstances, despite a preponderance of free agent acquisition of role players. No one pitcher in their rotation (or bullpen) outside of Zack Greinke promises to step up as a leader. Greinke, who struggled last year without much run support, needs to supplant Scott Elarton as the ace or fall into underachieving territory. Closer Mike MacDougal remains a question mark with control problems and should probably have been developed further in the minor league system. The batting order has a few young bright spots, including catcher John Buck and center fielder David DeJesus, but overall lacks the power to give support to their fragile pitching staff.
