The American League Central was the home of Major League Baseball’s best team in 2015 and it won’t be easy to knock the Kansas City Royals off their throne in pursuit of another division crown.
However, it looks like the Detroit Tigers are willing to spend again in an attempt to do just that. Meanwhile, the Indians are exploring trades, reclamation projects or scrap-heap signings to bolster the offense with promising youngsters in the minors not quite ready. The Royals can bask in the glory of a World Series title and try to tinker around with the roster to maintain their grip. Minnesota could be a team that drops off next season as they somehow seemed to overachieve on their way to a second-place finish. Lastly, the White Sox could be a team to watch if they can patch a few holes and others have more productive seasons.
It’s been a quiet off-season so far, but that could change pretty quickly with a few trades and key free agent signings. Here’s a roundup at some of what has happened so far in the AL Central this off-season and a few notes on what teams seek.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers apparently didn’t seem to enjoy finishing in last place and already have made the biggest splash so far this off-season with the free agent signing of pitcher Jordan Zimmerman ($110M over five years). The acquisition was a move the Tigers needed to make to help offset the loss of David Price who was dealt to Toronto last season.
The Tigers need another starter to complete their rotation alongside Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and some young pitching prospects such as Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Michael Fulmer. Trades for closer Francisco Rodriguez and outfielder Cameron Maybin also will help the club.
A healthy Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez and another solid bullpen arm also will go a long way toward making the Tigers a contender once again.
Cleveland Indians
Questions involving who will play in the outfield continue to be the most asked headed into the 2016 season for the Cleveland Indians. With stud outfielder Michael Brantley expected to miss at least the first month of the campaign, there are serious concerns about who will play especially because the roster has only platoon or fourth outfielder types like Lonnie Chisenhall and Abraham Almonte for now.
Youngsters such as Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier aren’t quite ready for the majors just yet, while guys like Tyler Naquin and James Ramsey may be counted on early before they are truly ready or good enough to earn spots in the everyday lineup.
The starting rotation is obviously the strength of the team with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar established as quality or dominant MLB starters. There is depth with Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin, and Cody Anderson. Closer Cody Allen is one of the major’s best.
So will the Indians deal from strength and make a trade for some outfield offensive help? Or will they look to make a tweak here and there while waiting for young prospects to develop. So far, they have only made small moves including the re-signing of Adam Moore and Michael Martinez, the purchase of relief pitcher, Kirby Yates from Tampa Bay (and the corresponding dropping of Michael Choice) as well as the signings of free agents Shane Robinson (OF) and Anthony Recker (C).
Other questions remain at third base and first base/designated hitter and the need for a true middle-of-the-order hitter who can drive in guys like Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Brantley. Carlos Santana will occupy one of those 1B/DH slots, but it is uncertain about the other spot and whether Giovanny Urshela get hit enough while playing fine defense at third base.
Kansas City
The Royals will be hard-pressed to improve their record for a seventh straight season after posting 96 wins in 2015, but they should still be a contender for the division and World Series title.
One of the biggest questions is whether the team will resign outfielder Alex Gordon, who is a free agent. The Royals also did not pick up the option on outfielder Alex Rios, so they may be looking for a player to replace him or perhaps they simply resign him.
Johnny Cueto, Chris Young and Jeremy Guthrie are free agents and so the rotation will have some holes to fill. But with the dominant bullpen that has carried the team’s pitching for the past two seasons, the Royals showed it’s not how you start a game, rather it’s how you finish one. Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar comprise the most dominating bullpen in the majors.
Minnesota Twins
Miguel Sano was extremely productive in his rookie campaign hitting 18 home runs in 80 games. If the Twins sign Korean first baseman Byung Ho Park (who is theirs to negotiate with after winning the posting bid), he might be able to give the team another big bat in the lineup if he doesn’t strike out more than 200 times. Torii Hunter has finally retired (he always crushed Indians pitching) and Joe Mauer and his massive contract continues to underperform at that plate as a first baseman.
Minnesota was one of those teams that didn’t hit a lot, but when they did, it mattered. The team hit .248 for the year, but an impressive .280 with runners in scoring position.
The starting rotation is decent, but not great and really doesn’t have a dominant ace who can get punch outs like a Kluber or Carrasco or Verlander can for other clubs. Where the Twins probably focus some of their off-season attention is on their bullpen, which ranked 21st in ERA.
Chicago White Sox
Any team that has lefty pitchers Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon along power hitting 1B Jose Abreu should have a solid foundation on which to build. The White Sox do have holes on the right side of the infield with weak options at third base and these are made bigger by decision not to pick up the option of shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
The White Sox helped themselves with the signing of catcher Alex Avila and perhaps could make a splash with signing or trading for a No. 2 type righty starting pitcher. Closer David Robertson was solid in his role in the bullpen.
Guys like Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche had disappointing seasons in 2015 and if they can bounce back somewhat, then the White Sox might not be too far off from contention.
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