AL Central Preview

In the second segment of my 2012 MLB Preview today I will focus on the American League Central. This is a division that has seen its fair share of excitement that last few years. The one game playoff's with the Minnesota Twins. The surprising emergence of the Cleveland Indians in 2011, even thought they faded down the stretch last season they still created alot of buzz. This division seems to have been won in the off season by the Detroit Tigers but only time will tell.

Chicago White Sox:
The Chicago White Sox are free of the Ozzie Guillen era as their manager after a disappointing 79-83 record in 2011 the organization decided to let the eccentric manager go to Miami. With the team from the South Side ready to move on they hired Robin Ventura to be the teams new manager. The White Sox made a few moves this off season in order to compete in a very competitive division. Signing LHP John Danks and Kosuke Fukudome. However the White Sox lost perhaps their best player. Pitcher Mark Buehrle (Miami). This is a huge loss for a team that is going to need an ace. Jake Peavy is good but being only 17-13 a member of the Sox (09-11) does not put fear in the heart of any team in the division. It looks like it might be a long season on the South Side.
Prediction - 5th AL Central 

Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Indians: 
The Surprise team of 2011 (at least in the first half of the season) The Indians bring back a host of young very talented players (Asdrubal Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, Michael Brantley, & Carlos Santana) to go along with a nice core of made up of some of those younger guys. (Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Shelley Duncan) this team has a great balance of veterans and youngsters that can be very dangerous. The Indians also have a nice starting pitching rotation as well. Led by Ubaldo Jimenez, newly trade for Derek Lowe and Roberto Hernandez (the pitcher formally known as Fausto Carmona) The Indians will be without SP Carlos Carrasco for most of if not all of the 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery, so that will certainly hurt. The bullpen is still strong, albeit, a bit young. They lost relief man Chad Durbin via free agency but bringing in Dan Wheeler to fill that void will certainly help. The Indians will be a presence this season and I expect them to have a very good season.
Prediction - 2nd AL Central

Detroit Tigers:
The defending division champions from 2011 did nothing but make themselves better this off season. Coming off a season that saw them win 95 games in 2011, and a trip to the American League Championship series (losing to the the Texas Rangers) apparently it wasn't enough for the them. The Tigers went out this off season and signed free agent 1st baseman Prince Fielder to a 9 year contract that will see him paid $15Million in 2012. With Fielder on board to go along with Miguel Cabrera, i think its prudent to say to Tigers fans, go ahead and get your tickets for the season in the outfield seats of Comerica Park. Don't worry im not gonna forget the MVP and Cy Young Winner in the American League. Justin Verlander who went an astounding 24-5 in 34 starts in 2011 with a 2.40 ERA. is a force that the rest of the division does not what to have to deal with, but they will. I dont see any reason why he wont replicate those numbers or at least come close in 2012. I also see no reason to think the Tigers wont win this division by 15+ games. The Tigers to me are a favorite to represent the American League in the World Series.
Prediction - 1st AL Central 

Kansas City Royals:

2012 MLB All Star Game Logo

The Kansas City Royals haven't finished above 4th in the division since 2003. I only mention that because I think this might be the year for the Royals to surprise some people. 2012 will be a special on for Kansas City. The All-Star game will be played at the newly renovated Kaufman Stadium in July, and with the signing of closer Jonathan Broxton from the Dodgers there will be lots to cheer about late in games, if the rest of the team can get the ball to him. Guys like Jeff Francoeur, Eric Hosmer and Billy Buther need to lead the offense to score enough runs for a starting rotation that is not quite elite. It's going to be exciting in Kansas City this season win or lose.
Prediction - 3rd AL Central

Target Field in Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Twins: 
The Minnesota Twins fell hard in 2011, and by that I mean going from Winning 94 games in 2010 to losing 99 games in 2011. Thats a 31 game difference in the wrong direction. The Twins still have alot of good talent  with Justin Morneau, newly signed Josh Willingham to play right field, and of course Catcher Joe Mauer. However if these guys aren't healthy like in recent times it's all talk. They have to stay fit and healthy in order to contend in this division. The Twins still have a strong top of the rotation with Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano but after that it sort of drops off. with Jason Marquis currently tabbed to be the 5th starter. In a sad story for the Twins, fireballer Joel Zumaya had signed a one year contract with the team. You may remember in June 2010 while pitching for the Tigers oddly enough at Target Field in Minnesota, Zumaya broke his elbow while pitching. He had not pitched since. He was trying to make a comeback to the Majors but after throwing only 13 pitches in live batting practice he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in that same elbow costing him the entire 2012 season. The reason I remember his injury so well is because I was there at Target Field that night. I was sitting in the left field bleachers that night 300 feet from the pitchers mound but you could hear him scream, the stadium fell hush silent and everyone there felt concern for him. A moment I will never forget. Anyway. This season I think will be better and healthier for the Twins as they climb back up the latter.
Prediction - 4th AL Central

Joel Zumaya walking off the field
after breaking his elbow in 2010

Coming early next week my preview of the American League West.

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