MLB Preview: AL Central

For the past half decade the American League Central division has been a four team race. As a new decade begins, however, only three teams appear have a chance to finish atop of the division. Last year's champion, Minnesota, is likely to win it again, but both the White Sox and Tigers were active over the winter with the intention of reaching the post season in 2010.

Here is a look at how the division shapes up in the predicted order of finish, based on the team depth charts provided by the Spring 2010 USA Today Sports Weekly.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins addressed several of the concerns they had in their lineup as they head into their inaugural season in target Field. They traded part-time outfielder to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy, and they signed veteran Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson to join first baseman Justin Morneau, the 2007 American League MVP. The only hole in the infield is at the hot corner, where manager Ron Gardenhire will rely on utility players such as Brendan Harris and Nick Punto unless the club acquires an accomplished veteran to play everyday.

The outfield appears to be as solid as it was in 2009, though perhaps not quite as deep after the departure of Carlos Gomez. RF Delmon Young recovered to hit a respectable .270 with double figures in home runs after a terrible start last season. RF Michael Cuddyer provides a valuable right hand batter who socked 32 homers and drove in just under 100 runs in 2009. Quick Denard Span will play center and lead off again this year after a breakthrough 2009 that saw him lead the league in triples and finish seventh in the batting race. Jason Kubel, the primary DH, will probably see more time in the outfield, since veteran slugger Jim Thome was signed over the winter.

The biggest asset for the Twins in the guy they have behind the plate, Joe Mauer. The native Minnesotan won his second batting title last year and also tripled his home run total while earning the honor of being selected as the AL MVP. His underrated backup, Mike Redmond, is no longer a Twin, which weakens this position unless a veteran righthanded hitting catcher can be acquired before the season opens.

The rotation is still very young, but the team did manage to re-sign veteran Carl Pavano who helped the Twins overtake the Tigers in last September. All-Star closer Joe Nathan makes the bullpen among the best in the division.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox were somewhat of a disappointment in 2009, key injuries and non-production causing them to fall out of contention early. A healthy club and a few added parts could allow them to overtake the Twins this season.

The most important acquisition is LF Juan Pierre, who brings much needed speed and championship experience as the club's leadoff hitter. Veteran OF Andruw Jones was also signed, but he will be used primarily as the DH. The rest of the outfield has great potential but also great worry. After coming over from Toronto late last year, CF Alexis Rios really struggled, and RF Carlos Quentin is coming off of an injury-plagued 2009.

The infield is also high on potential along with apprehension. The only true veteran is 1B Paul Konerko, who has averaged 25 homers throughout his career. Across the diamond will be Mark Teahan, who brings from the Royals an average in the .270s and about 11 homers a year. For the Sox to contend, they'll need better offensive production from Teahan at what is considered a power position. The double play partners are young, but SS Alexei Ramirez now has two full seasons on his resume. Inexperienced Gordon Beckham shifts from third to second base, where his 14 home runs and .270 BA make him an above average at that position.

The pitching staff is also a cause for concern, even though the rotation is loaded with veterans. One time NL All-Star Jake Peavey will probably anchor the rotation, even though he was injured most of last season before and after coming over from the Padres. The other starters- Mark Buehrle, John Danks, and Gavin Floyd- should each win 10-15 games if they stay healthy. Closer bobby Jenks must also stay healthy, unlike 2009, when his ERA climbed nearly an entire run from the previous two seasons.

Detroit Tigers

Detroit collapsed in 2009 after building a substantial lead of seven games before allowing the Twins to catch them on the last day of the regular season and beat them in the one game playoff at the Metrodome. So what was Detroit's biggest move over the winter? They traded their leadoff hitter and most marketable player, CF Curtis Granderson.

The loss of Granderson will hurt the team offensively, though Detroit still has plenty of fire power in its lineup. 1B Miguel Cabrera is probably the best all-around hitter in the Majors, and RF Magglio Ordonez continues to build a stellar career. 3B Brandon Inge will provide about 20 home runs and flawless defense at the hot corner, and Carlos Guillen will provide stability but without the power expected from a left fielder. Clete Thomas figures to spend time in centerfield, but he could be the DH if rookie Austin Jackson makes fans forget about the trade of Granderson. The middle infielders will be great defensively, but SS Adam Everett has never swung a potent bat and 2B Scott Sizemore lacks experience. Gerald Laird will be the primary catcher again, in spite of his four homers and .226 BA last year.

Detroit's pitching staff is its strength. The rotation is led by 19 game winner Justin Verlander, followed by yound standout Rick Porcello and veteran Jeremy Bonderman. The bullpen should be much improved with Jose Valverde coming over from Houston, where he averaged over 40 saves the past three seasons.

Cleveland Indians

Cleveland fans did get to see two of its starting pitchers in game one of the 2010 World Series. Unfortunately, one was wearing a Phillies uniform (Cliff Lee) and the other (CC Sabathia) donned Yankee pinstripes. These fans may have to wait a few years before they see players in Indians uniforms in the Series, but it may arrive sooner than many think. It's not likely to be as soon as 2010, though.

The only stars remaining from the team that came within one game of winning a pennant just a few years ago is Grady Sizemore, who remains the best all-around CF in the AL, and DH Travis Hafner, who has never regained the power stroke that made him a fan favorite a few years ago. Jhonny Peralta's numbers made him a standout offensive shortstop then, but his production makes him no better than average now that he's at third base. Since taking over for Peralta at short, Asdrubal Cabrera has hit .300 and become the biggest threat in the lineup behind Sizemore. The right side of the infield features 2B Luis Valbuena and veteran slugger Russell Branyan.

Next to Sizemore in the outfield will be RF Shin-Soo Choo, who impressed everybody with 20 homers and a .300 BA in 2009. Left field is still to be decided, though Trevor Crowe played there a lot in 2009. He will be challenged by Matt LaPorta and rookie Michael Brantley. The everyday catcher will be Lou Marson, and he will be backed by veteran Mike Redmond, who served admirable as Joe MAuer's backup in Minnesota the past few seasons.

The pitching staff is riddled with question marks. Will Fausto Carmona be the ace he was in 2007, or the inconsistent enigma he has been the last two years? Can new manager Manny Acta find some reliable arms to start behind Jake Westbrook? Can one-time All-Star starter Kerry Wood finally be relied on to be the closer?

Kansas City Royals

The upcoming season looks the brighter for the Royals than it has in over a decade. They are still long shots to win the division, but they have the reigning Cy Young winner, Zach Greinke, taking the mound every fifth day. Veterans Gil Meche and Kyle Davies follow Greinke, giving Kansas City a decent rotation. Closer Joakim Sora saved over 40 games two years ago, and could top that feat if the team is able to take more leads into the ninth. The rest of the bullpen has yet to be determined.

Offensively, the Royals are expecting to get more from their outfielders. Rick Ankiel comes over from the Cardinals, where he showed flashes of great power between stints on the disabled list. Veteran RF David Dejesus has been the team's most consistent producer for the past decade, and LF Scott Podsednik will bring speed and a high on base percentage to the top of the order. Strong-armed Jose Guillen will split time in right while mainly serving as the team's DH.

The infield is still emerging for the Royals. 3B Alex Gordon has never hit 20 homers, and his .260 BA is too low for someone at an offensive-oriented position. The team's most promising hitter is 1B Billy Butler, who crushed 21 homers, drove in over 90, and hit .300 in 2009. Chris Getz came over from the White Sox to play second base, and neither he nor SS Yuniesky Betancourt projects to provide much punch to the lineup. Veteran catcher Jason Kendall brings experience to a relatively young pitching staff, but his offensive numbers have declined for the past few seasons.