Previewing the AL Central race
Detroit Tigers
Last year: 90-72 (1st)
Gained: OF Yoenis Cespedes (Red Sox), RHP Shane Greene (Yankees), RHP
Alfredo Simon (Reds), LHP Tom
Gorzelanny (Brewers)
Lost: RHP Max Scherzer (Nationals), RHP Rick Porcello (Red Sox), OF Torii Hunter (Twins), LHP Phil Coke (Cubs), LHP Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks), INF Eugenio Suarez (Reds)
Better, worse or same? Better
Why: Although they lost their best pitcher over the past three seasons in Scherzer, the Tigers look every bit as capable of winning the division for the fifth consecutive season. Much of the offense, however, will rely on heavy hitters Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez producing at the same level as in past seasons despite both having off-season surgeries. Young third baseman Nick Castellanos, 23, should be improved (.259 BA, 66 RBIs). Left fielder Cespedes and right fielder J.D. Martinez also had steady bats and shortstop Jose Iglesias returns after missing 2014 with fractures in both legs after hitting .303 at a rookie in 2013. One area of concern is the bullpen, but if closer Joe Nathan shakes off his seven blown saves in 2014, he and Joakim Soria could be a solid one-two punch.
Chicago White Sox
Last year: 73-89 (4th)
Gained: INF Emilio Bonifacio (Braves), OF Melky Cabrera (Blue Jays), LHP Zach Duke (Brewers), LHP Dan Jennings (Marlins), 1B Adam LaRoche (Nationals), RHP David Robertson (Yankees), RHP Jeff Samardzija (A’s)
Lost: RHP Ronald Belisario (Rays), 1B Paul Konerko
(retired), RHP Matt Lindstrom (Angels), INF Marcus
Semien (A’s)
Better, worse or same? Better
Why: The addition of right-hander Samardzija along with lefty Chris Sale gives the White Sox two of the best starters in the AL. If lefties Jose Quintana and John Danks provide ample steadiness on the back end of the rotation, the division is there for the taking. The offense, which was second in the AL with 1,362 strikeouts, should get a lift from Cabrera and LaRoche. First baseman Jose Abreu is the cornerstone of the offense after earning AL Rookie of the Year honors with 36 homers, 107 RBIs and a .317 batting average in 2014. Newcomer Robertson should provide a steady arm out of the ’pen, which was a liability.
Kansas City Royals
Last year: 89-73 (2nd)
Gained: OF Alex Rios (Rangers), 1B Kendrys Morales (Mariners), RHP Kris Medlen (Braves), RHP Edinson Volquez (Pirates)
Lost: RHP James Shields (Padres), DH Billy Butler (A’s), RF Nori Aoki (Giants), RHP Aaron Crow (Marlins)
Better, worse or same? Same
Why: The upstart Royals reached their first World Series since 1985 last year after beating the A’s in the wild card and then sweeping the Angels and Orioles. Ace James Shields is gone, however, leaving a rotation in less experience, although talented hands. Right-hander Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.20 ERA) will have to step up and eat innings along with lefties Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas. Volquez is a quality addition to the staff so the loss of Shields may not create such a big hole. The bullpen remains deep and sturdy with closer Greg Holland and set-up men Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis. The offense, one of the weakest in ’14, did not add much firepower, unless former Ranger Alex Rios regains his swing from a few years ago.
Cleveland Indians
Last year: 85-77 (3rd)
Gained: OF Brandon Moss (A’s), RHP Gavin Floyd (Braves), LHP Scott Downs (Royals)
Lost: DH Jason Giambi (retired)
Better, worse or same? Better
Why: A young, talented pitching staff headed by Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer gives the Indians solid pieces from which to build off last year’s winning record. Offensively, the Indians stood pat in the off-season besides adding right fielder Brandon Moss (.234 BA, 25 HR, 81 RBI). Center fielder Michael Bourn doesn’t run as well as he used to and second baseman Jason Kipnis (.240 BA) struggled after and All-Star season in 2013. Left fielder Michael Brantley, 27, looks to be one of the premiere hitters of the future after batting .327 with 20 homers and 97 RBIs in 2014.
Minnesota Twins
Last year: 70-92 (5th)
Gained: RHP Blaine Boyer (Padres), RHP J.R. Graham (Braves), RF Torii Hunter (Tigers), RHP Ervin Santana (Braves), RHP Tim Stauffer (Padres)
Lost: 1B/OF Chris Colabello (Blue Jays), RHP Yohan Pino (Royals), RHP Anthony Swarzak (Indians)
Better, worse or same? Worse
Why: First-year manager and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor takes over for fired Ron Gardenhire after four consecutive 90-plus loss seasons. Unless something changes within the starting rotation, however, things look as bleak as ever for the Twins. Their starters have been the last in the league in ERA the past two seasons and ranked 29th and 27th (out of 30 teams) in overall ERA in 2011 and 2012. Santana (14-10, 3.95 for the Braves in 2014) could help turn that around, along with Phil Hughes (16-10, 3.52). The offense needs a comeback year from first baseman Joe Mauer, who struggled in 2014 while playing with several injuries. — Stefan Stevenson
This story was originally published April 4, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Previewing the AL Central race."