The Central is going to get shaken up a bit this year by Ozzie and the Gang.
Chicago White Sox:
Acquisitions: Juan Pierre, J.J. Putz, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Mark Teahen
Departures: Octavio Dotel, Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik
The Second City's Second Team doesn't look quite as mean at the plate this year, but they hope to do the little things well in order to succeed. Juan Pierre was a solid pickup but Alex Rios did not pay off in the latter half of last year. Their bullpen, besides Bobby Jenks, who is solid if not great, was suspect. Still, their veterans seem to be holding up (notably Pierzynski), they have mixed in a lot of young talent, and their staff, led by Peavy (who did pay off) and Buehrle could surprise us all. J.J. Putz is going to stabilize the back end of that pitching staff and prove that last year was a hiccup. They are going to give some geezers like Omar and Andruw a try too, but are deep enough not to need them and might be able to swing a trade if one or both look good in spot duty. Many of their fans are stoked to hear Ozzie say that they will no longer rely on the long ball, and they certainly are built to score in different ways. New 3B Mark Teahen embodies the new look. He's got some power, a little speed, hits for a decent average and is handy and versatile in the field (of course, Scott Podsednik hit for an even better average, though with less power, sooo...). They got younger and stronger on the mound and more balanced on offense, and I think it will pay off. If they do indeed emerge at the top of the heap, you heard it here first. I like them to overtake the Twins, who reek of a sense of entitlement, and win the division. Projected Record: 90-72
Minnesota Twins:
Acquisitions: Orlando Hudson, Jacque Jones, Jim Thome
Departures: Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede, Mike Redmond
They have the best all-around player in baseball in Joe Mauer, as far as I am concerned, and they are the reigning division champs, but I don't like the up-in-the-air vibe the team has heading into Spring Training. To start with the positives, though, they are potent on offense, with Mauer, Morneau, and young Denard Span developing into a star. Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey are pretty good at the top of the rotation, having stepped up after Johan's departure, and Joe Nathan is a quality closer. Still, when Carl Pavano is third on your depth chart rotation, and it's not alphabetical, you have some major issues. Third base is wide open at the moment, and while I don't think Joe Crede was the answer, he was at least AN answer. Perhaps he was just one too many Joes. This team needed a furious rally and a Detroit collapse to take the division last year. Their big move was switching Orlandos (and hoping no one noticed?), but Hudson has peaked and won't produce as well in that shitty-ass dome. The Twins are looking to go deep in October, but I am doubtful. The only problem is, it is a little difficult to imagine any of these other Central teams unseating them. But in this topsy-turvy NFC South of a division, I see that, and the fact that they have more or less stood pat, as strangely bad signs. Projected Record: 84-78
Detroit Tigers:
Acquisitions: Jose Valverde, A Box of Chocolates
Departures: Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Edwin Jackson
Thanks, assholes. The Yanks win the World Series, and you let them have Curtis Granderson on top of it. Dicks. The worst part of it is that they now have gaping holes in their lineup and no way to fill them. Leyland is stumped, and they are going to need magic from the likes of rookies Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson if they are going to get anywhere. It's not just Grandy's absence either. They let a lot of talent go, most notably Placido Polanco back to Philly. I am left scratching my head over how they let all that meat get away while signing Verlander to that fat deal and claiming that they are committed to winning. Miguel Cabrera and Verlander are admittedly tying up a lot of payroll this year, but the needs are glaring on offense. Johnny Damon, if they get him, will not be the answer. Even with Verlander locked down nobody behind him is as good as Edwin Jackson, including all the guys in the Whitman's Sampler that they got for him and Granderson in that ridiculous trade. They are left hoping that someone amongst the throng of crappy and has-been pitchers on their staff can make a comeback this year, or they are toast. After that heartbreaking finish last year, they have only taken a step backwards. Thus, they take a step back in the division. Projected Record: 80-82
Kansas City Royals:
Acquisitions: Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, Brian Anderson, Brad Thompson, Jorge Campillo, Chris Getz
Departures: Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, Jamey Wright, Mark Teahen
Oh, KC. If the best pitcher in the majors can't get you above .500, what can? They claim that their offseason acquisitions will bolster their D and allow their pitching to develop. Yeah, maybe, but how do you get a guy with a 2.16 ERA to win the 22 or so he has earned rather than the 16 he actually got? You need to hit, and I just ain't seeing the pop. They have been busy, though, doing the Dance of the Small Market Teams and bringing in a bunch of guys who are too young and a bunch of guys who are too old to see if anything sticks. Kendall is a decent catcher, but he has been fading precipitously at the plate for years. Podsednik had a good hitting year last year, but he's not enough by himself, especially if he fails to put up similar numbers, and they had to trade away one of their more consistent hitters in Teahen. Brian Anderson is a guy who might turn the corner for them if he gets a chance, and they are getting deeper on the mound, so if they do find some offense they might indeed have some pitching develop after all. But they were in the bottom third in most hitting stats last year, and the additions they have made don't come with enough beef to get them out. They will score some runs, and their defense will save some, but their season will be over by July. I do like them to hold onto fourth place, and get a couple more wins. Projected Record: 70-92
Cleveland Indians:
Acquisitions: Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns, Mike Redmond, Saul Rivera
Departures: Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach?
A rough season behind them, the Injuns hired Acta to manage them not back to prominence, but through the growing pains as they continue to have to throw Christians to the lions before they are ready. Masterson should not be in the rotation as a number 3 starter, but there he is. Jake Westbrook is a good number three, for instance, but he is the supposed ace. Their bullpen was atrocious last year, and it is to be determined whether the slight retooling and few bright spots from 2009 will pay dividends now. Bullpens are almost random in their production, so there's no sense worrying about who's going to catch fire and who will fizzle at this early stage. They do have some bright spots in the lineup, like Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera (best first name in the Majors, edging out Coco for the title), who both hit over .300 last year, but Grady has been slipping the last couple seasons, and they shouldn't rely too heavily on his production, no matter what he says. Bringing in some veterans to Spring Training might motivate some of their younger guys and learn 'em a thing or two, but I don't expect to see Kearns, Redmond or Mark G on the field a whole lot during the season. In the end, the Indians will fall victim to one of the cardinal rules of prognostication, and that is never bet on the team with Kerry Wood. Projected Record: 66-96
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