AL CENTRAL
Twins
The worst news of the offseason in all of baseball was that Joe Nathan has a bad elbow that needed surgery and he will miss the entire season. Over the last four seasons Joe Nathan leads the American League in most closer statistics. An interesting replacement could be Francisco Liriano, who took the league by storm a few years ago, but due to injuries hasn't been effective since. There is also Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier, or they could make a trade for an outside guy. I think it's a big deal; they stormed into the playoffs after losing Mauer for the first month and Justin Morneau for the final month, I'm not sure they can do that without Nathan.
But anyway, Mauer was the MVP and 3rd time batting champ, Morneau is an RBI machine when he's healthy, and Ron Gardenhire is the best coach in the division. They are also moving into a new ballpark that is supposed to be a hitter's paradise. Their rotation will not scare anybody. Baker, Slowey, and Blackburn don't remind me of Lester, Beckett, and Lackey. Carl Pavano and Blackburn were in the top 3 in hits allowed last season. Their lineup is average. Eh, they snuck into the playoffs last year, they might be able to do it again. Who knows.
Tigers
Detroit had a Met-like collapse last season, losing something like a four-game lead in the last five games followed by a 1-game playoff loss to the Twins. They have talent, led by great pitcher Justin Verlander and slugger Miguel Cabrera, and they picked up a new closer in Jose Valverde. Rick Porcello was good as a rookie last year; you never know what he could do this year. They added Johnny Damon, who would have been a great addition five or ten years ago. Their rotation could be the division's best, but it could also be a clunker. I don't know.
White Sox
White Sox are depending on a lot of bounce-back players, a LOT: Andruw Jones, Alex Rios, Carlos Quentin, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen, Jake Peavy, Bobby Jenks, and JJ Putz. That's an interesting approach. That can be great, but it could be disastrous. Oh well, there's not much investment but it can be rewarding. Buehrle, Peavy and Floyd are a great 1-2-3. If Jones and Quentin can regain their power and Rios plays up to his contract expectation the White Sox could be in good shape.
Royals
Zach Greinke is Kansas City's hokey-pokey: that's what it's all about. Steinke Greinke has absolutely nasty stuff. And yet despite winning the Cy Young award with a 2.16 ERA, the Royals were 17-16 in his games. That tells you how bad the Royals were last year. And they won't be much better this year, either.
Indians
Cleveland was in the ALCS just three years ago. Since then they've lost CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez and don't have anything to show for it. I'm sorry, I just can't think of anything to get excited about for the Indians. Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo?
Season Forecast
Tigers should have won last year, they will win this year in a tight race.
Tigers 87-75
White Sox 85-77
Twins 85-77
Royals 68-94
Indians 64-98
MVP: Joe Mauer
Best Pitcher: Zach Greinke
Breakout Player: Austin Jackson
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