The American League Central Division is quickly becoming the most fascinating division in baseball. Two years from now, the landscape will look completely different, with teams like Minnesota and Kansas City at the forefront. Detroit has been perched atop for three straight seasons, even winning a pennant in that mix, but how long can the best pitcher and best hitter in the game keep them there? The AL Central bleeds with 2014 storylines. Miguel Cabrera will go for his third straight Triple Crown, something that would cement him as one of the best ever. The Kansas City Royals will seriously compete for the playoffs, something that has eluded them for almost 30 years. Minnesota has one of the best farm systems in baseball and two of the best prospects, but can their MLB squad pull it together in 2014?
Opening Days are March 30th and 31st so here’s a look at the American League Central.
AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers – Detroit seems to have settled into first place, but they are relying on certain players to keep them there. Currently Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter in the game and Justin Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game. The Tigers have the best one-two punch in the American League with Verlander and reigning Cy Young winner, Max Scherzer, yet something about this team seems incomplete. One thing should be made clear; this is Detroit’s division to lose. With other teams closing in quickly, Detroit’s window to win is getting much smaller, much faster. The Tigers’ losses this season (Prince Fielder, Doug Fister, Jhonny Peralta, Jeremy Bonderman, Omar Infante, Octavio Dotel) far outweigh their additions (Ian Kinsler, Joe Nathan, Steve Lombardozzi). While the trade for Kinsler made sense (if anything, just to spare Cabrera from playing third base), the trade that sent Doug Fister to Washington may very well be the straw that broke the camel’s back. This lineup is strong, but very old, and while the attraction of having Miguel Cabrera shoot for his third consecutive Triple Crown is mind-boggling, the only thing keeping Detroit on top is that they know how to win.
Projected 2014 Detroit Tigers Lineup
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Torii Hunter, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Alex Avila, C
6. Rajai Davis, LF
7. Austin Jackson, CF
8. Nick Castellanos, 3B
9. Jose Iglesias, SS
2. Kansas City Royals – What do you say about a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in almost 30 years? Nothing. It’s like trying to console someone who lost their dog. Kansas City may very well surprise everyone and unseat the Detroit Tigers atop the AL Central, but this will depend on too many things to proclaim them champs just yet. First, we start with their additions. Jason Vargas, Omar Infante, Danny Valencia, and Norichika Aoki provide immediate upgrades in key areas. Kansas City’s lineup is fairly solid from top to bottom, and their core players (Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Mike Moustakas) are primed for a big break-out. There is a lot of dependence on a very young rotation, however the Royals have not only left themselves open for options, but they have the best defense in baseball (ranked first in defensive runs saved). Their bullpen may not have star power, but it’s one of the most solid in baseball. This team still has a rich farm system and they are seeing their window open. Look for K.C. to remain in the hunt all season and make some key transactions for a playoff push. Look out, Detroit!
Projected 2014 Kansas City Royals Lineup
1. Norichika Aoki, RF
2. Omar Infante, 2B
3. Eric Hosmer, 1B
4. Billy Butler, DH
5. Alex Gordon, LF
6. Salvador Perez, C
7. Mike Moustakas, 3B
8. Lorenzo Cain, CF
9. Alcides Escobar, SS
3. Cleveland Indians – Cleveland is a very good team that is coming off their first playoff appearance since 2007. The losses of Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir should do nothing to disappoint Cleveland fans that are very used to disappointment. Unfortunately though, replacing relief pitcher Joe Smith with relief pitcher David Aardsma is like taking away your children’s stuffed animals and allowing them to play with broken glass. John Axford, Jeff Francoeur, and David Murphy are great additions and will provide depth to a team with great young talent. If Carlos Santana can win the job at third base, it’ll provide a lot more stability in the middle of the lineup. The biggest reason Cleveland will finish third is that there are too many questions about their rotation. There seems to be an open call for the number five spot. Buehler?
Projected 2014 Cleveland Indians Lineup
1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Nick Swisher, 1B
3. Jason Kipnis, 2B
4. Carlos Santana, DH
5. Michael Brantley, RF
6. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
7. David Murphy, LF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
4. Minnesota Twins – The best news for Minnesota is that they have the best prospect in baseball with Byron Buxton. The worst news for Minnesota is that Buxton will not be ready for the big leagues this year. The future is very, VERY bright for Minnesota, but the present is more like a 60 watt bulb illuminating a warehouse. The additions of Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes were helpful in rebuilding the Twins’ horrendous 2013 pitching staff. Additionally, the center of the lineup (Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham, Oswaldo Arcia) will be solid. This team is not good, but their pitching upgrade makes them better than Chicago, and they are just a couple years away from vaulting to the top of this division.
Projected 2014 Minnesota Twins Lineup
1. Alex Presley, CF
2. Brian Dozier, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, 1B
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Oswaldo Arcia, RF
6. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
7. Jason Kubel, DH
8. Kurt Suzuki, C
9. Pedro Florimon, SS
5. Chicago White Sox – Prospect Jose Abreu is in line for big things. The one thing this AL Chicago team has that their NL counterpart does not is hope, but that is all they’ve got for this season. Many teams have tried to successfully rebuild a terrible lineup on the fly, and many of those teams have failed. General manager Rick Hahn has young talent in Abreu, Adam Eaton, and Matt Davidson, but much like the Seattle Mariners, a team of young talent is not enough in Major League Baseball. Paul Konerko will quietly have his own farewell tour, and the loss of Jake Peavy and Alex Rios will have a negative impact. Chris Sale could still potentially be an outstanding starting pitcher, but he’ll have to find a way to stay healthy. Manager Robin Ventura will most likely be ousted after his team fails to climb out of the cellar in a miserable 2014.
Projected 2014 Chicago White Sox Lineup
1. Adam Eaton, CF
2. Alexei Ramirez, SS
3. Alejandro De Aza, LF
4. Jose Abreu, 1B
5. Avisail Garcia, RF
6. Adam Dunn, DH
7. Matt Davidson, 3B
8. Gordon Beckham, 2B
9. Tyler Flowers, C
