The AL Central is the organized chaos that changes playoff brackets year to year, and gives avid sports writers something to chew on after the All Star Break. Will it be Chicago? Or maybe Detroit? What happened to the Twins? Maybe the Indians? Or why not KC? This the chaotic mess taking place in the Midwest from April until October. But I feel that now, it will be pretty consistent over who wins.
After looking like the team to beat for about 3 years, the Twins have recently tailed off. Injuries and age have plagued a team that had many chances at a World Series berth. The main reason of this cutback on success is the inability to develop new talent. It seemed like the Twins front office had the hot hand, after producing Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Since than the Twins have tried to purchase the missing puzzle pieces, and have ultimately failed. With burned out pitchers like Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, and Jason Marquis; it seems like the pitching staff needs a boost of young talent. Another formerly strong pitcher, Joe Nathan, left after not living up to his standards as a shut down closer. This is an example of holes in the Twins organization. They need to find a way to keep talent performing at their norm. Other than a healthy Joe Mauer, the same goes for the other 8 guys, well actually 9 with the DH, there is no basis for talent to increase or plateau. If you look at former MVP Justin Morneau, or speedy Debard Span, they both had a decent season, and never matched it, or even came close to their previous production. By bringing in Josh Willingham, the Twins probably noticed the lack of power in their lineup. This seems like a proactive acquisition, but Willingham is entering the latter part of his career, as his prime is almost completely diminished. The shortstop, Jamey Carroll is too old to be an everyday shortstop. If arguably the greatest shortstop of all time, Cal Ripken, can forfeit his consistent role as a shortstop, anyone can. Some of the other players on the roster aren't anything, as of now.
The Detroit Tigers were a surprise last year. No one ever thought that this team would be so successful, but that is the way the AL Central operate. Besides Victor Martinez's season long injury, the offense seems promising, as Prince Fielder enters his reign on AL Central pitching. The offense seems multi faceted and very versatile. With different combinations available, the Tigers will keep their opposition guessing on who will take the field on any given day. By moving to the AL, Prince could have an increase in production, as he can take a break from the field, once in a while, to rejuvenate. Alex Avila was even more surprising than his team's amazing run. Avila turned into a strong asset to the lineup, and a terrific complement to his pitchers. The only thing wrong with this team is the absence of my favorite player, Don Kelly. Kelly had some good memories last year, and I enjoyed his versatility, which goes with the style of how the Tigers are handled. Also, our friends over at ESPN brought this up, by having both Fielder and Cabrera playing, there will be two 250+lb mammoths out there, especially if they bat back to back in the lineup.This will slow things down on the basepaths, and there will be many occasions where they miss out on a run because either they can't score from 2nd a double, or that someone fast gets stuck behind one of these giants. Opposing offenses can get several base hits from dinky dribblers and bunts down the baseline. As the offense looks mostly the same as last year's unestablished team, so does the pitching. Justin Verlander returns. Need I say more? Doug Fister was a great Trade Deadline addition. Fister should reciprocate his performance of last year to back up #35. Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello have both showed that they can pitch, but whether they can even halve the wins and strikeouts of Verlander and Fister is uncertain. Jose Valverde will return to close out games, along with Phil Coke and Al Alburquerque in the pen. If Detroit can build on last year's success with most of the team returning, Motor City might finally have a championship flag, for the first time in a long, long time.
Ever since Lebron left Cleveland, the non-Cincinnati partisan areas of Ohio have looked for a new hero, one to grace their gargantuan billboard. Well, you're gonna have to wait a little longer, Cleveland. Last season, the Indians played good, but as an accumulative team effort. The once Cooperstown bound centerfielder, Grady Sizemore, has been plagued by injuries, and the few times he is on the field, he is a minority force. Shin Soo Choo has showed promise, but last year he struggled with off the field issues. When completely focused, Choo is a strong ball player, but these surprising distractions have hurt his numbers, performance, and reputation. Travis Hafner has exited the bulk of his career, but still has a little pop left in his bat. If the Indians stay in the hunt through August, Hafner would be key in clutch situations and as a clubhouse leader. Michael Brantley seems to be ready to break into the league, as an upcoming player. I think this kid looks good, and if he breaks out, he could very well help the Indians to one of the AL's 2 wild card spots. At first base, Casey Kotchman is the experienced veteran, opposed to Matt LaPorta. I think LaPorta is a better player. Plus, LaPorta is much younger. The Indians can have a playoff berth, and they need to have some youth. With Brantley and LaPorta, the Indians have a bright future, as the Tigers are aging. You're probably wondering why I haven't mentioned Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera is in a league of his own. If the Indians were smart, they would lock him up for small cash, before he becomes even bigger. Cabrera would be a perfect Cleveland hero, but the Indians aren't in a market to keep up with his growing status as a perennial All Star Shortstop. The pitching staff looks good, that is if it was 3 years ago. Ubaldo Jimenez, Fausto Carmona, and Derek Lowe all have seen better years, and don't have anymore coming there way. These guys were once very effective, but Ubaldo is a streaky pitcher who is constantly on and off. Carmona looked very good a couple of years ago when he pitched with C.C., now he tailed off. And Lowe was once one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he has grew old. The Perez boys will do a decent job keeping the bullpen together. Them, like Justin Masterson, are an odd case for this year's Indians team. They all have youth, experience, and talent. Almost every other pitcher has 2 of these qualities. I feel that for a team with such hope with their offense, while they still have Cabrera, their pitching will hold them back this season. The Indians are 2 strong pitchers, in their prime, away from Fall baseball.
Out in the Windy City, the Cubs' cross town rival, the White Sox, again show talent but even with new hotshot manager, Robin Ventura, I feel that this is deja vu- I've seen this before. Once again, the Sox look good on paper. But baseball isn't played on paper. There always seems to be something that doesn't let the Sox succeed. With toxic manager, Ozzie Guillen leaving, the Sox have taken a lot of tension, pressure, and unwanted publicity off of themselves. Most of the starting 9 have been a part of the franchise for a few years now. They always looked good, but once they were put out on US Cellular Field, and expected to play 162 games together, expectations were never met. Paul Konerko has always been a hitting machine, and his longtime teammate, A.J. Pierzynski, has always been reliable, but since their 2004 championship, little to nothing else has happened. Newer, but still tenured players include Gordon Beckham, Alex Rios, and Alexei Ramirez. These players always seem to be logical fantasy baseball draft picks, but they never execute to their fullest ability. Longtime Sox pitcher, Jon Danks, again will return, but this time without pal, Mark Beurhle. The once great, Jake Peavy, will look to rediscover himself and return to his former state of excellence. Gavin Floyd seems like a strong #3 guy, and he has the 3 keys; youth, experience, and talent. By having these "3 keys" he becomes an effective pitcher down the stretch, partially through his age allowing him to complete a full season, partially through his experience allowing him to pitch intelligently, and partially through his talent allowing him to record outs. Matt Thornton looks like a solid closer, but yet again, he has always seemed strong, but hasn't been a valid candidate for the Rolaids Fireman Relief Award. Thornton is one of the few bright spots in an unestablished bullpen. Although the Sox look good, I feel that they are nothing better, if not worse, than years past. Someone who I genuinely respect, Yogi Berra once said, "It is deja vu all of over again." This goes for 2012 White Sox Baseball.
The only future Hall of Famers coming to Kauffmann Stadium, this year, will be the All Stars in the Midsummer Classic. The Royals once again aren't going to stand a chance in their division. They will be outmatched and over powered, as the fans will start to think about the Chiefs and football by Mother's Day. Billy Butler, Jeff Francoeur, and Alex Gordon are going to be the main offensive producers this year. These 3 can potentially combine for about 450 hits, but they won't score more than 200 runs combined. That means they might score less than 50% of the time they get a hit. Beyond these 3, are seemingly nothing players who look like they belong in one of the minor league teams in MLB: The Show. The pitching staff doesn't looks any better. Luke Hochevar seems like an iffy pitcher, but he is not ace material. He will not be able to beat other aces like Verlander, or even elderly gentlemen like Jon Danks and Carl Pavano. Bruce Chen has always been a questionable pitcher, as his numbers never really reflect him. Jonathan Sanchez is a solid guy, but once again won't get the offensive production to assist him. In the pen, Joakim Soria and Jonathan Broxton are both looking to restore their name and reputation as shutdown closers. The Royals are a few years away from success, but if they build on core players and develop them, they can have a chance in 5+ years, but it's a long shot.
AL Central Predictions:
1st: Tigers
2nd: Indians
3rd: White Sox
4th: Twins
5th: Royals
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