Our 2010 MLB Preview will continue this week with a look at the AL Central. Are they one of the more competitive divisions in baseball or are they filled with mediocre teams?
Will the Minnesota Twins be able to repeat as division champions with the move to a new home field?
Can the pitching staff of the Chicago White Sox live up to their potential? Are the Detroit Tigers going to be able to contend after replacing several key veterans with rookies?
Will this finally be the year where the Kansas City Royals are more than just cellar dwellers? Which Cleveland Indians team will show up in 2010?
Chicago White Sox
During the off-season, the White Sox retooled their offensive philosophy after they saw a significant decrease in their home run power. Rather than try to muscle out another forty home runs, the White Sox decided to bring in some small players like Juan Pierre.
The White Sox will be relying on a pitching rotation that finished with a 4.20 ERA last season. The staff led by Mark Buehrle and John Danks has the chance to be something special if Jake Peavy is able to build upon the success he had at the end of 2009.
The big questions surrounding the team will be the health of Carlos Quentin and if Alex Rios is able to rebound for a dismal season. When the season is done in 2010, the White Sox will have another AL Central title and be preparing for a playoff run.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are eager to rebound from the 2009 season where we saw them let the AL Central title slip away during the final weeks of the season. They moved several key veterans, Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco, in favor of a youth movement. Rookies Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson will need to provide some value at their position if the Tigers are going to be competitive.
The Tigers will be relying on their defense and the 1-2 pitching combo of Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello to carry the team. They made one of the best free agents moves during the off-season when they brought in dominant closer Jose Valverde.
In the end, MVP favorite Miguel Cabrera is going be the reason why the Tigers will make a run at a division title. In the end, they will come up short due to the lack of enough offense.
Minnesota Twins
The biggest question surrounding the Twins has to be how well they perform outside of the controlled environment of their former home, the Metrodome. This is especially important during the colder months.
The Twins’ offense, powered by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, finished fifth overall during the 2009 season. They should continue to find success at the plate during 2010 with the addition of JJ Hardy and Jim Thome to their lineup.
The Twins’ bullpen suffered a major blow this pre-season when closer Joe Nathan suffered the possible season ending injury. The Twins are left scrambling to replace one of the most reliable closers in the past decade. They will need their starters to improve upon their collective 4.24 ERA if they want to find themselves beyond the third spot in the AL Central.
Kansas City Royals
Every year it appears the Royals are making headway, only to end the season in last place. The 2010 will be different for the Royals and it will start with the success of the pitching staff and Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke, who will continue to develop into the best in baseball. The key will be starters Gil Meche and Brian Bannister who should be able to pick up 25 wins between them.
The Royals brought in Scott Poedsednik to jump start the offense from the leadoff position. Many baseball experts are expecting big things from Billy Butler, who is poised to have a breakout season and become a premier first baseman.
If the Royals can have Alex Gordon and Rick Ankiel play up to their potential, the Royals should have no problem scoring runs. Their overall improvement will be noticeable and result in a close fourth place finish.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians are eager to forget their 2009 season that was marred by injury and late season trade of their pitching ace. To help their offensive numbers, the Indians brought in power hitter Russell Branyan to pair up with a healthy Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo. If Travis Haafner can put in significant time at the plate, this offense will have some possibilities.
The biggest area of weakness for the Indians is their pitching staff that had a collective 5.02 ERA. They are expecting a big year from Jake Westbrook, who missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery. The only problem might be he finds himself if he finds success. Westbrook is in the final year of his contract.
Of the teams in the AL Central, the Indians are the most interesting because of their issues on the pitching staff. If they are able to pull it together they could make a run for third place. It is unlikely though as the Indians should find themselves bringing up the rear in 2010.
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