AL Central Preview

Minnesota Twins

Story Last Season - After playing from behind all season, the Twins took over first place in their division in the closing weeks only to lose in the first round to the Athletics.

Key Losses - Although they did a good job keeping their big players, the Twins will be without stud pitcher Francisco Liriano due to a Tommy John he underwent last season. Liriano will be out all season.

Key Additions - Ramon Ortiz was acquired to add depth to the Twins depleted pitching staff.

Impact Players for 2007

• Boof Bonser - Boof is another starting pitcher called up from the minors who will be expected to play second fiddle to Johan Santana. If he can have near Liriano's impact from last season, the Twins can still contend in this tough division.
• Justin Morneau - Justin had a terrific season last year and he carried the team when Liriano went down and Mauer began to struggle. He should be the focus of the Twin's 3-4-5 batters all season long.
• Torii Hunter - Hunter was the focal point of the Twin's offense for many years but was marred by injuries for most of 2006. He can add more power and leadership to the Twin's relatively young lineup.

Prediction - Without Liriano, the Twins simply don't have the same team they had last year which barely won their division. They should finish a close third to the White Sox and the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers

Story Last Season - A joke of a team for years, the Tigers finally turned it around and made it to the World Series as a wild card team.

Key Losses - Jamie Walker was a solid left-handed bullpen pitcher and he is now on the Orioles. Not a huge loss, however, as the Tigers farm system has many good pitchers to send up.

Key Additions - The Tigers dealt for Gary Sheffield right at the beginning of the offseason and he should add a big bat to their lineup.

Impact Players for 2007

• Carlos Guillen - The Tigers have many players who can hit for power, but Guillen is one of the few who can get on base reliably. In 2006, Guillen did it all for the Tigers and they expect him to repeat in 2007.
• Placido Polanco - When Polanco went down late last season, the Tigers went on a huge losing streak. He is the glue that holds the batting lineup together.
• Jeremy Bonderman - Bonderman is in a year of his career where he needs to show he can be a number one pitcher. Rogers is not going to be around for much longer and Verlander is still too young to be featured. Bonderman has all the stuff and should take the next step this season.

Prediction - The Tigers have enough depth and talent to repeat their playoff appearance from 2006. Look for them to win the AL Central.

Chicago White Sox

Story Last Season - Never really taking over the AL Central, the Sox hung in all season but never made a push for the playoffs. They finished third.

Key Losses - The team lost pitchers Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy in trades for prospects.

Key Additions - The only big player was Darin Erstad who was added to put a veteran bat in their lineup.

Impact Players for 2007

• Jose Contreras - Remember last season when Jose was unhittable for a long stretch. That stretch also coincided with the time the White Sox were in first place in the Central. He needs to dominate to lead the White Sox pitching staff.
• Jermaine Dye - As good as Thome was last year, Dye was the best hitter the White Sox had all year long. This is the final year he will play with White Sox, unless they resign him, so expect him to have another big year to get himself a major contract.
• Mark Buehrle - In the season where they won the World Series, Mark was sensational. Last year? An ERA just under 5 and a 12-13 record. Not good enough. Buehrle needs to get back to 2005 form for the White Sox to seriously contend.

Prediction - A good team but not great anywhere. The White Sox pitching just got worse and the rest of their lineup is the same. Something just isn't there. They should finish second and out of the playoffs again.

Cleveland Indians

Story Last Season - The Indians, not the Tigers, were expected to be the surprise team of the Central last season. Instead they had just another seventy win season distantly placing them out of postseason talks.

Key Losses - No big losses for the Indians.

Key Additions - The Indians traded for popular Red Sox player Trot Nixon.

Impact Players for 2007

• Travis Hafner - Vin Diesel was one of the best home-run hitters in the game last year and he will be back for more in 2007. The Indians need him to have another great season.
• C.C. Sabathia - A long-time pitcher in the MLB, Sabathia is the leader of a very bad pitching staff. He needs to have a big season to give a good example to the young players behind him.
• Jake Westbrook - Westbrook was Cleveland's work horse and he finished with the most innings pitched on the team and fifteen wins. Good production for a pitcher on the Indians.

Prediction - What about this team makes anyone think they will go over the top anytime? Poor pitching and home-runs don't win games day-in and day-out. They land you in fourth in your own division.

Kansas City Royals

Story Last Season - Another painful season for Royals fans, Kansas City is just awful.

Key Losses - Does anyone want former Royal players? Answer: No.

Key Additions - To show they could make moves, the Royals overpaid for Gil Meche and got Octavio Dotel for their bullpen.

Impact Players for 2007

• Not to be cruel to Royals fans, I just don't see anyone that good on the team that can make a huge impact. Fans should hope that the Royals number one draft picks make their way to the big league fast...

Prediction - Another hundred losses and another offseason where the owners will get serious by signing average players to big contracts.