Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Dec 15, 2012 17:17:36 GMT -5
2013 American League Central Division Preview
1. Minnesota Twins
2012 Record: 14-5
From the top five in the rookie draft to the top five in the league, it was quite the turnaround for the Twins in 2012. The Twins blew through teams in the American League and finished with the second best record. Unfortunately, they were ousted early in the post-season. Looking forward, the Twins should be front-runners for the AL Central for years to the come. Leading the offense, the Twins look to top outfielders Jason Heyward (508 PTS) and Josh Willingham (498 PTS). Both hitters had career years and were some of the main factors in the Twins surprising success. On the left side of the infield, shortstop Trevor Plouffe (313 PTS) and MLB World Series hero Pablo Sandoval (308 PTS - INJ) are also big time contributors. For this season, prospect Brett Jackson will get his first full shot at a starting job in the majors. In the rotation, the Twins strength comes from their depth. Wade Miley (470 PTS), Trevor Cahill (446 PTS), and Anibal Sanchez (407 PTS) lead this talented group. The bullpen is solid with Joel Hanrahan leading the way after a 2012 mid-season deal with the Pirates. Although the pitching does the job, the offense is the real reason for the Twins success as they ranked in the top 5 in the American League in nearly every offensive category. This shouldn't be a one year wonder in Minnesota. The Twins have reached the summit, and they're here to stay.
Grade: B+
2. Kansas City Royals
2012 Record: 11-8
The Royals have improved steadily over the league's existence, and the team finally entered the playoff picture last year with a tie-breaker win over the Seattle Mariners. The team was defeated in the first round, but it was still a huge step in the right direction for the Royals. In some early off-season moves, KC has shown that they won't be leaving the post-season anytime soon by being very aggressive in improving their roster. The team made a deal with the division rival Detroit Tigers that brought superstar outfielder Andrew McCutchen (593 PTS) to the lineup. In another trade, the Royals sured up their second base position by receiving Brandon Phillips (441 PTS) from the NL Champs. These too players will play with the Royals existing star tandem Jose Reyes (555 PTS) and Joey Votto (394 - INJ). The team now has one of the best lineups in the American League and certainly the best in the division. The problem: the pitching. The thing holding KC back is the starting rotation. Adam Wainwright (458 PTS) had a nice season coming back from injury to firmly establish himself as the ace of the rotation. Outside of Wainwright, the team doesn't have much. Chad Billingsly (345 PTS) pitched well late in the season, but the rest of the rotation: Luke Hochevar, Brandon McCarthy, Bronson Arroyo don't compare well with the rest of the league. With a lack of eye-popping talent in the pitching prospect department, the team will have to trade in order to improve the weak rotation. If a top notch pitcher is brought in, the team will overtake Minnesota for the division crown.
Grade: B+
3. Detroit Tigers
2012 Record: 9-10
The Tigers, after being picked by the Commissioner to win it, were a huge disappointment last season. Everything seemed in place for the team to repeat as division champions and slide to the ALCS for a matchup vs. Angels. Mediocrity is the only word that sums up the star-loaded Tigers season. So what happens in Detroit following a season like that? Reload for another shot? Nope. Fire-sale. Detroit made multiple trades including dealing superstar Andrew McCutchen to divison rival Kansas City for prospects. Try as they might, the team couldn't gut itself of all its talent. On the offensive side, the team will look to Adrian Beltre (562 PTS) and Dustin Pedroia (471 PTS) to put runs on the board. Outside of those two, the team traded away most of its depth and talent, so the offense is very thin. Detroit hopes that Hunter Pence (458 PTS) can bounce back to elite outfielder status. Hurling the ball, the rotation also lacks depth. Two of the team's starters: Jaime Garcia and Tim Stauffer both were injured last season and are questionable in 2013. That leaves the underachieving Roy Halladay (354 PTS) and Jonathan Sanchez. You won't win games with two starting pitchers. Thankfully, the Tigers have Jim Johnson (444 PTS) closing out games down the stretch. It'll be a strange season for Detroit fans. Expect some nice numbers, but not enough of them.
Grade: C+
4. Chicago White Sox
2012 Record: 4-15
The White Sox are a rebuilding franchise. There, now that I've got that out of the way I can discuss this team on the positives and not the obvious negatives. 2012 was a dismal season for the White. They finished tied for the 5th worst record in the league but were third-to-last on the final power rankings. However, it is what you expect from a team with low expectations. On the offense, the White Sox have a lot of question marks. Position battles at both catcher (Hank Conger and Derek Norris) and first base (Jerry Sands and Brandon Belt) are intriguing. In the outfield, Tyler Moore, Logan Morrison, and Jose Tabata all played well over stretches, but have yet to contribute with consistency. On the mound, the future is more of the same for Chicago. The team looks to the future for starters Brad Peacock, Mike Minor, and Jordan Lyles to become dominate forces. Along with the trio, prospects Zack Wheeler and Casey Crosby are both nearing the majors. Wheeler, in particular, is projected to take over the rotation upon arrival. Arodys Vizcaino should provide some stability in the bullpen after being given the franchise tag this off-season. Chicago is young, but you can only improve from a season like 2012.
Grade: D+
5. Cleveland Indians
2012 Record: 2-17
Only in the AL Central is a team like the Chicago White Sox not the worst in its division. But here we are with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians finished 2012 with the second worst record in the league and dead last in the power rankings. The team finished dead last in nearly every category and clearly needs work. The Indians lack even a player to play at every position, but they are slowly putting the pieces together. Leading the depleted offense, the team hopes Giancarlo Stanton (455 PTS - INJ) can be the cornerstone of the offense for years to come. At backstop, Devin Mesoraco and third baseman Mike Moustakas are steadily improving players that could both contribute greatly in the future. The team will need to add more help to an offense that can't compete with such few players. In the rotation, the team made another move this off-season to acquire young ace tom Milone (430 PTS). Milone should improve upon his breakout season. Along with Milone, the team will rely on veteran Jeremy Guthrie and a plethora of unproven starters. Closing out the game, the team has the game's greatest closer ever, Mariano Rivera, coming back from a season off because of injury. The Indians will once again struggle, but the framework for a team in the future is slowly starting to form.
Grade: D
Final 2013 Season AL Central Projections:
1. Twins
2. Royals
3. Tigers
4. White Sox
5. Indians
1. Minnesota Twins
2012 Record: 14-5
From the top five in the rookie draft to the top five in the league, it was quite the turnaround for the Twins in 2012. The Twins blew through teams in the American League and finished with the second best record. Unfortunately, they were ousted early in the post-season. Looking forward, the Twins should be front-runners for the AL Central for years to the come. Leading the offense, the Twins look to top outfielders Jason Heyward (508 PTS) and Josh Willingham (498 PTS). Both hitters had career years and were some of the main factors in the Twins surprising success. On the left side of the infield, shortstop Trevor Plouffe (313 PTS) and MLB World Series hero Pablo Sandoval (308 PTS - INJ) are also big time contributors. For this season, prospect Brett Jackson will get his first full shot at a starting job in the majors. In the rotation, the Twins strength comes from their depth. Wade Miley (470 PTS), Trevor Cahill (446 PTS), and Anibal Sanchez (407 PTS) lead this talented group. The bullpen is solid with Joel Hanrahan leading the way after a 2012 mid-season deal with the Pirates. Although the pitching does the job, the offense is the real reason for the Twins success as they ranked in the top 5 in the American League in nearly every offensive category. This shouldn't be a one year wonder in Minnesota. The Twins have reached the summit, and they're here to stay.
Grade: B+
2. Kansas City Royals
2012 Record: 11-8
The Royals have improved steadily over the league's existence, and the team finally entered the playoff picture last year with a tie-breaker win over the Seattle Mariners. The team was defeated in the first round, but it was still a huge step in the right direction for the Royals. In some early off-season moves, KC has shown that they won't be leaving the post-season anytime soon by being very aggressive in improving their roster. The team made a deal with the division rival Detroit Tigers that brought superstar outfielder Andrew McCutchen (593 PTS) to the lineup. In another trade, the Royals sured up their second base position by receiving Brandon Phillips (441 PTS) from the NL Champs. These too players will play with the Royals existing star tandem Jose Reyes (555 PTS) and Joey Votto (394 - INJ). The team now has one of the best lineups in the American League and certainly the best in the division. The problem: the pitching. The thing holding KC back is the starting rotation. Adam Wainwright (458 PTS) had a nice season coming back from injury to firmly establish himself as the ace of the rotation. Outside of Wainwright, the team doesn't have much. Chad Billingsly (345 PTS) pitched well late in the season, but the rest of the rotation: Luke Hochevar, Brandon McCarthy, Bronson Arroyo don't compare well with the rest of the league. With a lack of eye-popping talent in the pitching prospect department, the team will have to trade in order to improve the weak rotation. If a top notch pitcher is brought in, the team will overtake Minnesota for the division crown.
Grade: B+
3. Detroit Tigers
2012 Record: 9-10
The Tigers, after being picked by the Commissioner to win it, were a huge disappointment last season. Everything seemed in place for the team to repeat as division champions and slide to the ALCS for a matchup vs. Angels. Mediocrity is the only word that sums up the star-loaded Tigers season. So what happens in Detroit following a season like that? Reload for another shot? Nope. Fire-sale. Detroit made multiple trades including dealing superstar Andrew McCutchen to divison rival Kansas City for prospects. Try as they might, the team couldn't gut itself of all its talent. On the offensive side, the team will look to Adrian Beltre (562 PTS) and Dustin Pedroia (471 PTS) to put runs on the board. Outside of those two, the team traded away most of its depth and talent, so the offense is very thin. Detroit hopes that Hunter Pence (458 PTS) can bounce back to elite outfielder status. Hurling the ball, the rotation also lacks depth. Two of the team's starters: Jaime Garcia and Tim Stauffer both were injured last season and are questionable in 2013. That leaves the underachieving Roy Halladay (354 PTS) and Jonathan Sanchez. You won't win games with two starting pitchers. Thankfully, the Tigers have Jim Johnson (444 PTS) closing out games down the stretch. It'll be a strange season for Detroit fans. Expect some nice numbers, but not enough of them.
Grade: C+
4. Chicago White Sox
2012 Record: 4-15
The White Sox are a rebuilding franchise. There, now that I've got that out of the way I can discuss this team on the positives and not the obvious negatives. 2012 was a dismal season for the White. They finished tied for the 5th worst record in the league but were third-to-last on the final power rankings. However, it is what you expect from a team with low expectations. On the offense, the White Sox have a lot of question marks. Position battles at both catcher (Hank Conger and Derek Norris) and first base (Jerry Sands and Brandon Belt) are intriguing. In the outfield, Tyler Moore, Logan Morrison, and Jose Tabata all played well over stretches, but have yet to contribute with consistency. On the mound, the future is more of the same for Chicago. The team looks to the future for starters Brad Peacock, Mike Minor, and Jordan Lyles to become dominate forces. Along with the trio, prospects Zack Wheeler and Casey Crosby are both nearing the majors. Wheeler, in particular, is projected to take over the rotation upon arrival. Arodys Vizcaino should provide some stability in the bullpen after being given the franchise tag this off-season. Chicago is young, but you can only improve from a season like 2012.
Grade: D+
5. Cleveland Indians
2012 Record: 2-17
Only in the AL Central is a team like the Chicago White Sox not the worst in its division. But here we are with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians finished 2012 with the second worst record in the league and dead last in the power rankings. The team finished dead last in nearly every category and clearly needs work. The Indians lack even a player to play at every position, but they are slowly putting the pieces together. Leading the depleted offense, the team hopes Giancarlo Stanton (455 PTS - INJ) can be the cornerstone of the offense for years to come. At backstop, Devin Mesoraco and third baseman Mike Moustakas are steadily improving players that could both contribute greatly in the future. The team will need to add more help to an offense that can't compete with such few players. In the rotation, the team made another move this off-season to acquire young ace tom Milone (430 PTS). Milone should improve upon his breakout season. Along with Milone, the team will rely on veteran Jeremy Guthrie and a plethora of unproven starters. Closing out the game, the team has the game's greatest closer ever, Mariano Rivera, coming back from a season off because of injury. The Indians will once again struggle, but the framework for a team in the future is slowly starting to form.
Grade: D
Final 2013 Season AL Central Projections:
1. Twins
2. Royals
3. Tigers
4. White Sox
5. Indians
