Baseball is near, and remembering Phife and Garry: While We’re Waiting…
March 28, 2016Baylor’s Art Briles believes RG3-Josh Gordon reunion will help both
March 28, 2016
While the Cleveland Indians had a relatively quiet 2016 offseason, the same cannot be said for all in the AL Central. The division is projected to be potentially the best in MLB as there is not a pushover team in the bunch. From the developing youth of the Minnesota Twins to the stars of the Chicago White Sox to the re-assembled Detroit Tigers, the other teams in the division are making strides forward. Oh, and there are those pesky Kansas City Royals who happen to be the defending World Series champions.
Not that these teams don’t have questions. Will the Chicago White Sox be able to capitalize on their second-straight aggressive off-season after a disappointing 2015? Will the Detroit Tigers have a strong enough rotation to supplement their impressive lineup after losing the ace of their staff two seasons in a row (Max Scherzer in 2015 and David Price this off-season)? And, will Victor Martinez bounceback from a terrible season to help the Tigers climb out of the cellar? Can the Kansas City Royals win their second straight division title and third straight AL pennant following their incredible run to capturing the World Series trophy? After an impressive second place finish in the Central in 2015, will the Minnesota Twins be able to improve and compete for a division title this season?
Here’s a briefing on what these teams have been up to the past six months and what they might do in 2016.
Chicago White Sox
Much like the Indians, the White Sox will depend heavily on their pitching. With Chris Sale leading the way, along with Carlos Rodon and Jose Quintana, the top of rotation for Chicago should be among the best in the American League.
On offense, they have Jose Abreu, who owns a .904 OPS over the past two seasons (fifth in the AL). Outside of Abreu, their offense has had their fair share of struggles. They did acquire third baseman Todd Frazier, who should supplement their offense. However, their other big additions of Austin Jackson and Brett Lawrie are still questions marks at the plate. Also, keep in mind, three of the four infield spots will feature new faces for the White Sox in 2016.
Key Additions
3B Todd Frazier, IF Brett Lawrie, C Alex Avila, C Dioner Navarro, SP Mat Latos, CF Austin Jackson
Key Losses
SP Jeff Samardzija, SS Alexei Ramirez, C Geovany Soto, 2B Gordon Beckham, OF Trayce Thompson
Projected Lineup (not batting order)
C Alex Avila
1B Jose Abreu
2B Brett Lawrie
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Todd Frazier
LF Adam Eaton
CF Austin Jackson
RF Avisail Garcia
DH Melky Cabrera
Projected Rotation
Chris Sale
Jose Quintana
Carlos Rodon
Matt Latos
John Danks
Closer: David Robertson
Detroit Tigers
After winning four consecutive division titles, the Tigers surprisingly finished dead-last in the AL Central in 2015. While they lost David Price, they were able to add All-Star Jordan Zimmerman to help fill the void. Also, they swapped out closer Joe Nathan and added Francisco Rodriguez to fill the role. And, after years of struggles, K-Rod demonstrated in 2015 he still was a capable closer (2.21 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 38-for-40 saves).
Also, by adding Justin Upton to a potentially potent lineup, Detroit should have enough offense, but their pitching remains suspect.
Key Additions
SP Jordan Zimmermann, OF Justin Upton, RP Francisco Rodriguez, SP Mike Pelfrey, RP Justin Wilson, RP Mark Lowe, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Super utility IF1 Mike Aviles
Key Losses
RP Al Alburquerque, C Alex Avila, OF Rajai Davis, RP Ian Krol, RP Joe Nathan, SP Alfredo Simon
Projected Lineup (not batting order)
C James NcCann
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Jose Iglesias
3B Nick Castellanos
LF Justin Upton
CF Anthony Gose
RF J.D. Martinez
DH Victor Martinez
Projected Rotation
Justin Verlander
Jordan Zimmerman
Anibal Sanchez
Mike Pelfrey
Daniel Norris
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
Kansas City Royals
The reigning World Series champions will have a target on their back in 2016. While they finished on top of the MLB last October, their rotation still remains a major question, especially with the loss of Johnny Cueto. Fortunately (for them), their bullpen is one of the league’s best and manager Ned Yost was willing to utilize it to shorten the game and help mask that deficiency.
Their lineup is mostly unchanged, outside of Ben Zobrist, who was acquired at the deadline along with Cueto. But, the Royals have plenty of talent from top to bottom, which is the reason why they won it all in 2015. It may be a new season, but the AL Central is Kansas City’s until another team knocks them off their pedestal.
Key Additions
SP Ian Kennedy, RP Joakim Soria, C Tony Cruz
Key Losses
SP Johnny Cueto, 2B/OF Ben Zobrist
Projected Lineup (not batting order)
C Salvador Perez
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Omar Infante
SS Alcides Escobar
3B Mike Moustakas
LF Alex Gordon
CF Lorenzo Cain
RF Jarrod Dyson
DH Kendrys Morales
Projected Rotation
Edinson Volquez
Ian Kennedy
Yordano Ventura
Chris Young
Kris Medlen
Closer: Wade Davis
Minnesota Twins
Many seem to have forgotten, but the Twins finished as the second-best team in the Central in 2015. Their 83-79 record even led them making a late playoff push before missing out on the postseason. But, with a minus-4 run differential and other sabermetric factors falling in their favor such as clutch hitting, 2015 might have been a mirage of luck. It will be up to the 2016 ballclub to prove it wasn’t.
With so many questions heading into 2016, including their rotation that is without a true ace and a lineup that has plenty of players that can either blossom or fall apart, it is as easy to make an argument for the Twins competing for the division title as it is finishing in the cellar of the AL Central.
Key Additions
1B/DH Byung Ho Park, C John Ryan Murphy, OF Carlos Quentin, RP Fernando Abad
Key Losses
OF Torii Hunter, OF Aaron Hicks
Lineup (not batting order)
C Kurt Suzuki
1B Joe Mauer
2B Brian Dozier
SS Eduardo Esobar
3B Trevor Plouffe
LF Eddie Rosaro
CF Byron Buxton
RF Miguel Sano
DH Byung Ho Park
Rotation
Ervin Santana
Kyle Gibson
Phil Hughes
Tommy Milone
Tyler Duffey
Closer: Glen Perkins
AL Central Outlook
The AL Central is a strong group who might wind up hurting each other in the unbalanced scheduling of Major League Baseball. A team is going to need to be both consistent throughout the season as well as come through with timely hitting and pitching to survive this meat-grinder of a division. The good news is that the challenges ought to help the winner be prepared for the postseason.
With the additions the Indians made during the off-season to bolster their depth, along with owning one of the best rotations in baseball, they will most likely compete with the Central’s best for a division title in 2016. If they can stay healthy and find some hitting, the MLB better be on watch because the team from the corner of Carnegie and Ontario could be one of the best in the American League.
All statistics, lineups, and rotations are from MLB.com.
- and fan-favorite [↩]
35 Comments
You forgot the fifth team in the Central…
From the worst division in baseball in the 90s to arguably the toughest now.
See! If we just wait 20-30 years, the Indians might be good again too! See you when I’m 50!
Oh, we only have 10+ preview pieces on that certain fifth team 😉
He also forgot the key roster addition for Det: Mike Aviles and his adorable family.
https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ap_twins_indians_baseball_75115292.jpg
Which is still the most timely timetable for a Cleveland team.
everyone knows that the tigers achilles heel the last 6-8 years has been the bullpen … F-Rod as closer is nice , and an upgrade over nathan & benoit … imo , the biggest additions were not F-Rod , upton or zimmerman , but mark lowe & justin wilson.
the tigers may not have a starting rotation as good as the indians have , but the back-end of their bull-pen is as good as anyone’s in the AL central , including KC.
it should be a war in the division & i predict 2 teams from this division will be in the post-season.
good luck indians fans … GO TIGERS !!!!
I am going to miss Al Albuequerque trotting in from the bullpen to give up 4 runs to us 🙁
LMAO … not me !!
The Cavs won’t win this year most likely, but that doesn’t mean they still aren’t the best option!
Thank you. That is an oversight and is being corrected (blame his editor for this one – oh, sorry), but any error that gets that picture onto the WFNY pages is a good one.
If the Cavs “won’t win this year” then isn’t it possible the Indians are the best option? (and, I am not sold on the Cavs not winning this year – favorites in the EC means what 35-40% odds?)
Way, way, way too high on the backend of the bullpen there, but they are vastly improved.
I think it will be tough for two teams to make it to the postseason for exactly the reason of it being a war in the division. Unless the Twins or White Sox (or somebody) falls apart and makes for some easy wins, it’ll be tough with the unbalanced schedule.
You are talking to tigersbrowns, he is ALWAYS too high on the teams he follows. Must feel nice to be that genuinely optimistic
I don’t know if the warriors can keep up their historic level of health, dominance, and good team vibes forever.
Fatigue for this team, nationally, is already setting in. Soon, there will be endless stupid questions from the TMZ/MKC media to Steph like “hey, why do you always bring your cute daughter around. Do you support Adam LaRoche.” Stuff like that can break up some good vibes.
And I think we can already see the Warriors growing fatigued. They have almost dropped a few games to some pretty bad teams in the last couple weeks.
Finally, the Cavs are already a great team and project to remain more or less the same for the next 2 or 3 years. The Indians are just a good team with a “chance” right now.
hi MG … i’ll stand behind my statement … the royals lost closer greg holland for the year , wade davis will close & they brought in joakim soria to set-up with herrera … still pretty good , but not as dominant as previous.
hi HOP … i’m guessing it takes more energy to frown & get upset about things … go with the flow & think positive.
i am glad aviles is a tiger … i love the way he swings the bat , like how valuable he will be to this squad & look forward to seeing his family at comerica park.
you are way , way , way too high on aviles being a “key” addition … *smile* … maybe JOSH didn’t think he was a “key” addition , or maybe he is in denial because he is playing for a hated rival.
Wouldn’t trade your sunny disposition on these boards for anything but…
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2015/06/the-tragedy-of-small-expectations.html
When people substitute the reality of expectations for the quixotic quest of impossibly large, unrealistic dreams, we lose. Disneyesque dreams are a form of hiding, because Prince Charming isn’t coming any time soon.
Expectations are not guarantees. Positive thinking doesn’t guarantee results, all it offers is something better than negative thinking.
Expectations that don’t match what’s possible are merely false dreams. And expectations that are too small are a waste. We need teachers and leaders and peers who will help us dig in deeper and discover what’s possible, so we can push to make it likely.
Expectations aren’t wishes, they’re part of a straightforward equation: This work plus that effort plus these bridges lead to a likelihood of that outcome. It’s a clear-eyed awareness of what’s possible combined with a community that shares your vision.
The adorable family is the bigger addition 😉
this is all well & good & may have some merit , but try these on for size :
and …
again …
oh , yeah …
yessir …
ok …
and on & on …
And Francona found a way to get his 8th reliever, despite all the days off in April. And still not a second lefty. The front office needs to reign him in.
Lonnie is starting on the DL too now?
So our:
Starting LF is on the DL
Starting RF is on the DL
Starting CF is suspended
So our outfield will consist of Marlon Byrd, Colin Cowgill, Tyler Naquin, Rajai Davis and sometimes Jose Ramirez? So much for a fast start…
The good news is, the Indians will always have a shot as long as they’re close and K-Rod comes in! Just like Wickman
and, the Indians bullpen was better than the Royals in 2015.
Well, I’m not sure Honest Abe was our starting CFer once we signed Rajai and Naquin showed last season in MiLB could translate (in really small ST sample).
But, those guys are all good at defense, which is more than could be said last year. Davis/Byrd decent enough on offense. Going to be a struggle to score at times, but so much better than last year.
I’m not so sure that Byrd is any good at defense anywhere, nor Davis in CF.
I haven’t been wholly impressed with Davis in CF but others & numbers have some good / some bad. Always thought Byrd as good corner OF and numbers back it up.