Predictions: AL Central
March 28th, 20071. Detroit Tigers
With the acquisition of Gary Sheffield, the Tigers may actually be better this year than they were last year. Scary thought.
2. Cleveland Indians
I expected more from the Indians last year, but it didn’t work out. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Cleveland win the division.
3. Minnesota Twins
I only put them this low because I’m not convinced Boof Bonser and Matt Garza are ready to contribute in a meaningful way. If they prove to be more mature than what I’m expecting, then the Twins could also challenge for the division title.
4. Chicago White Sox
Losing Freddy Garcia is going to hurt the Sox. The team could still be good, but it’s a tough division.
5. Kansas City Royals
‘Nuff said.
Previously:
NL East
NL Central
NL West
AL East
Bonser and Garza will be fine, it’s Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson who worry me. Both of them had an ERA above 5 last year, and Ponson is a major head case. The Twins are better stocked with young pitching than most teams, so if one (or both) of them melts down we have some options, but it’s going to be dicey.
1. Minnesota Twinkies
2. Chicago Black Soxs
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Cleveland Indians
5. KC Royals
Still love the Bonser, Liriano, Nathan for A.J. Pierzenski trade ——
Garza will be fine, Bonzer might be fine. I agree about Ortiz and Ponson. I don’t understand why Ponson continues to get signed by new teams. He’s not a very good pitcher.
The Twin’s middle infield concerns me too. Bartlett and Castillo? Kinda shaky.
The Tigers look set. Hopefully their young arms will be more prepared for the long season and Sheff will add a boost. Until he decides he’s unhappy again.
I think the Sox will bounce back. There’s no way Buerhle can repeat the kind of season he had last year and they got some good talent in the McCarthy trade.
Poor Royals. At least they have Alex Gordon. Any organization that signs Gil Meche to a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract deserves whatever they get.
Oh, I think Bonser and Garza will be OK, but they’re still young pitchers and I think there will be some growing pains. I just think it might be another year before they’re going to be as consistent as what you need your starting pitchers to be if you’re going to win a division.
They could prove me wrong. And if they do, the Twins will be tough.
I think this is probably a pretty good assesment of this division. The Tigers could take it all this year.
I have the over/under on Sheffield games played at 70. And I have a hard time believing that Kenny Rogers will do that again. The Tigers are no lock. I picked the Indians.
In another year, we’ll have Liriano back, Ponson will be gone, and we’ll eat everyone for lunch.
As far as the Twins’ middle infield goes, Bartlett doesn’t concern me as the fact that there’s no backup shortstop. If JB goes down, we’ll have to move Nick Punto to short and Jeff Cirillo (!) will be the starting 3B. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Twins package Castillo for more starting pitching if they’re still in it at the trade deadline, as long as Alexi Cassilla keeps playing well at AAA.
I somewhat agree with the first half of what Zoner said - the Tigers had a bunch of guys (not just Rogers) play out of their minds last year. I don’t see the Central being nearly as tough as it was last season, because the Twins and Sox have arguably taken a step back, and mark my words, Cleveland cannot win the division with that bullpen of theirs.
I agree with all except I would swap Cleveland and Minnesota. The Twins always find ways to win–and always begin underated.