2009 American League Preview: Central
Sports Illustrated's look around the American League continues with the Central, where the Chicago White Sox are hoping their two year run at the top will continue this season.
Chicago White Sox
2008 Record: 93-69, 1st, AL Central, Defeated Boston, 3-1, ALDS, Lost to Tampa Bay, 4-3, ALCS
Key Additions: Paul Lo Duca-C, Adam LaRoche-1B, Kelly Johnson-2B, Shawn Green-RF
Key Losses: Travis Hafner-1B/DH, Jake Peavy-SP, Ryan Langerhans-LF, Russell Martin-C, Kyle Farnsworth-MR, Carlos Guillen-SS
No team that made the playoffs last season went through as many changes as the Chicago White Sox. Gone are familiar faces Travis Hafner, Jake Peavy and Russell Martin. In their places are new arrivals Adam LaRoche, Kelly Johnson and Paul La Duca. Without Peavy, the Chicago pitching staff no longer has the same intimidation factor that it once possessed. Fortunately for them, Kelvim Escobar won 18 games last season behind Peavy, and number two starter Adam Wainwright went 14-10 with a 4.61 ERA. After that, however, things get a little dicey. The other three starters failed to win ten games last season, and none had an ERA lower than 5.00. In the bullpen, Rafael Perez is an excellent closer, saving 38 games last season, while Elmer Dessens, Brandon Morrow and Davis Romero all did a solid job in getting the game to him.
The bigger change is on offense, where three starters from last season have been replaced. Adam LaRoche (.295, 22-111) is being counted on to fill the shoes of Travis Hafner, while Carlos Guillen and Russell Martin's spots have been filled by Jimmy Rollins and Paul Lo Duca. Even at 36, Lo Duca is still a capable catcher, and Rollins played well last season when Guillen spent time at first base. The big free agent pickup was second baseman Kelly Johnson. Johnson, who hit .306 with 25 home runs and 102 RBI last season for the cross-town Cubs, will fill a large hole at second base that existed even before last season. Aside from those players, Hank Blalock provides a proven bat at the DH spot, and Vernon Wells is a solid player in left field. Other than that, they have a few questions.
Prognosis: The good thing for the White Sox is that they were able to fill most of the holes that were made during the offseason. The only position they failed to address was at starting pitcher, but they must believe that what they have going into the season will work. If everything holds up, it shouldn't be too hard for Chicago to hold on to the top of a very weak AL Central.
Prediction: 1st Place, AL Central
Cleveland Indians
2008 Record: 82-80, 2nd, AL Central
Key Additions: Jose Cruz, Jr.-LF, Geovany Soto-C, Kendry Morales-1B, Josh Anderson-CF, Casey Blake-3B, Scott Shields-MR
Key Losses: Adam LaRoche-1B, Matt Holliday-OF, Billy Wagner-CL, Tony Graffanino-2B, Bobby Howry-MR
The Cleveland Indians may have finished second in the American League Central last season, but it was a weak second in a weak division. It appears now that the team that made the playoffs in 2006 and 2007 is long gone, replaced with a team that now seems content with just floating along the .500 level. The pitching is the major question mark that the Indians have. Aside from the solid level of play from Zack Greinke and Gil Meche, there is very little to be excited about in the starting rotation. No other starter won more than 9 games last season, and the ERAs of those other three pitchers started to approach their shoe sizes. In the bullpen, Hutson Street and Johnathan Papelbon split time at closer with Billy Wagner, but with Wagner gone, it now appears as if Street will start the season as the closer. Papelbon, as well as Johnathan Sanchez and free agent pickup Scott Shields form a solid bridge from the sixth to the ninth inning, as long as their pitchers can get them there.
On offense, it seems as if the signings the Indians were essentially made to fill holes that didn't need to be filled. Rather than attempt to fill the hole that Matt Holliday left at right field, the Indians instead signed Geovany Soto to start over Ramon Castro, who hit .323 with 21 home runs and 92 RBI last season. Third baseman Casey Blake provides a good bat and a veteran presence, but Cleveland already has Adrian Beltre at third, where he hit .319 with a team leading 37 homers and 116 RBI last year. Neither player seems willing to move, or DH, so it appears that the Indians may have to move one of them out of Cleveland. Aside from the log jams at certain positions, the Indians have the bats to play with any team in the division. Aside from Beltre and Castro, three other players had more than 15 home runs, and four players had over 55 RBI. As long as the team can gel, there is a chance for improvement.
Prognosis: This team has all the makings of an average team for at least a few more years. An average starting rotation, along with questions in the lineup pretty much ensure that they will not catch the White Sox this season. Maybe if they get good performances from their last three starters, they can stay in second place, but that seems unlikely right now.
Prediction: 3rd Place, AL Central
Detroit Tigers
2008 Record: 73-89, 5th, AL Central
Key Additions: Marcus Thames-RF, Bill Bray-MR, Tomo Ohka-SP
Key Losses: Aaron Rowand-CF, J.D. Drew-RF
Ever since making the playoffs in 2005, the Tigers have been going nowhere but down, and this year doesn't look like it's going to be any different. The moves they made in the offseason are not enough, while the players that they lost leave gaping holes in their outfield. Of course, their pitching isn't exactly intimidating, either. Chien-Ming Wang has been in a funk for the last two seasons, especially last year's 12-14 record. Behind him, there's a whole lot of nothing. Kyle Kendrick and his 3-13 record are not good enough for a number five pitcher, let alone a number two, and new addition Tomo Ohka wasn't exactly highly sought after on the free agent market. Their bullpen has more questions than a math book. Ryan Rowland-Smith is going to start the year as the team's closer, but how many games he gets to save will depend on how his shaky bullpen pitches. Most nights, expect to see him on the bench.
On offense, it's simple in Detroit: there's David Ortiz, and then there's everyone else. Last season, Ortiz did what he always does, and hit .360 with 43 homers and 152 RBI. The only problem with that is that his defense is horrific, so he's next to useless during interleague games, or if an injury strikes starting first baseman Russ Adams. Milton Bradley is servicable in left field, but after that, there are several questions. Chris Snyder hit below .200 last year, but he's still Detroit's starting catcher. Ben Zobrist and Karim Garcia didn't do much better, and they're starting, too.
Prognosis: There are not many teams with as many questions as the Tigers. Wang makes for a potential solid pitcher, and David Ortiz is a great bat, but that's about it. Unless this team makes a lot of changes very quickly, it's going to be a long time before Detroit is competitive once again.
Prediction: 5th Place, AL Central
Kansas City Royals
2008 Record: 77-85, 4th, AL Central
Key Additions: Alex Escobar-CF, Rich Thompson-MR, Paul Byrd-SP, Scott McRae-MR, Matt LeCroy-C, Braden Looper-SP, Jeff Kent-2B, Kyle Farnsworth-MR
Key Losses: Jason Kendall-C, Rob Nen-CL, Jim Edmonds-CF, Junior Spivey-1B, Juan Encarnation-RF, John Bale-MR, Ismael Valdez-SP
One look at the moves that the Kansas City Royals made during the offseason, and your first reaction is probably surprise at the total number of deals that were made. However, much like the Detroit Tigers, most of the moves that were made are more of a patch than a filling of a hole, and their still one-dimensional offense needs another shot in the arm before they can compete again.
The Kansas City pitching staff is solid, at least in the rotation. Diasuke Matsuzaka and his 16-9 record return as the team ace, and Tim Hudson backs him up with his 14-13 record from a year ago. Felix Hernandez is still very young, and is hoping his 8-13 record last year was just part of a sophomore slump from his 14-6 rookie campaign. Free agent signings Paul Byrd and Braden Looper round out the rotation, and provide veteran leadership at the back end of the pitching staff. In the bullpen, it's another pair of new additions in Kyle Farnsworth and Scott McRae, that are being looked at to make a huge difference. Farnsworth has been placed in as the closer, while McRae is the number one setup man. Incumbant relievers Jon Rauch, Brandon McCarthy and Phil Norton round out the solid part of the bullpen.
In the batting order, there are two options...Alex Rodriguez, or nothing. After signing a four year deal with Kansas City last season, A-Rod lived up to the hype, hitting .294 with 43 home runs and 130 RBI. However, aside from Ben Broussard (.326, 15-91), there was very little in terms of offense last season. The Royals tried to address that in signing Jeff Kent (.301, 19-104), but at age 41, it's unclear how much more he has left to contribute. Other than that, there is very little to get excited about.
Prognosis: There is a chance that the Royals could surprise people and compete for a Wild Card spot. However, for that to happen, they will need a solid effort from the back end of their rotation, as well as an offensive assault from someone not named Alex Rodriguez. Without these things happening, it looks like another season right around .500 for the Royals.
Prediction: 4th Place, AL Central
Minnesota Twins
2008 Record: 81-81, 3rd, AL Central
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Robinson Cano-2B, Victor Diaz-RF, Erick Almonte-SS, Josh Towers-SP
On paper, it looks like the Minnesota Twins would be heading for a fall to the bottom of the division after an offseason that saw them sign no new players and lose a 17 game winner in Josh Towers. However, even with the losses of Towers and Robinson Cano, the Twins still have a solid layer of players in place that can more than likely help them improve on their .500 record from last season.
Three double digit winners make the Minnesota pitching staff one of the more underrated in the majors. Ben Sheets leads the trio of stars, which also includes Tom Gorzelanny and Tony McKnight. The Twins just have to hope that Clay Buchholz rebounds from an 18 loss season last year and Brian Lawrence can at least attempt to replace Towers' spot in the rotation. Closer Matt Thornton shut the door on 35 games last season, and Minnesota is hoping he can do more of the same this year. The rest of the bullpen has some weaknesses, with newcomers Sean Gallagher, J.A. Happ and Jimmy Johnson hoping that their ability can overshadow their young age.
The Minnesota offense is based on balance, rather than raw power. Six starters this year hit over .260 last season, with Matt Diaz leading the way at .301. Diaz also took the lead when it came to home runs, leading the team with 20 and being one of six players with double digit homers. On the same coin, five players drove in 80 or more RBI, including Brian McCann, Chris Shelton, Luke Scott, Greg Dobbs and Matt Diaz. Center fielder Andruw Jones is no longer the player that he once was, but his bat still has some pop in it, while third baseman Mike Hessman is going to have to pick up his play to keep the Twins shopping for a new third baseman.
Prognosis: One of the last remaining franchises to have a true "team" mentallity, the Twins have more spots where they are complete than holes. The only problem is those holes have the potential to swallow up the Twins, and if that happens, Minnesota won't even be close to sniffing the playoffs. If everything clicks like the Twins are hoping it will, however, it could be a surprising season for Minnesota.
Prediction: 2nd Place, AL Central