5. Minnesota Twins
2013 Predicted Record: 65-97
The Twins would be considered a team in rebuilding mode. Somewhere along the way of dominating the American League Central with superb fielding, patient hitters, and strike-throwing pitchers over the past ten years, the Twins just fell apart. Even with the opening of the beautiful Target Field two years ago, the Twins have gotten last place in both seasons at their new park.
Over the next six years, the Twins will be paying Joe Mauer $23 million annually. This isn't too unreasonable, given Mauer's batting titles and an MVP under his belt. The only problem is that the Twins' payroll is about $80 million this season. So if you were to do the math, Joe Mauer is taking up one fourth of the team's payroll to only catch half the time and play at most 145 games.
Now that general manager Terry Ryan is back and calling all of the shots, he's made some solid moves. His main focus has been to patch up the pitching staff since the team's best starter is Scott Diamond currently. So he traded speed demon Ben Revere to Philly for Vance Worley, a 25-year old starter with solid stuff. Denard Span was sent to Washington for the prospect that the Nats did not want to give up in Alex Meyer. Ryan also signed Rich Harden and Mike Pelfrey to make the team a little more competitive.
The Twins are absolutely loaded on prospects, with Kyle Gibson, Miguel Sano, and Aaron Hicks just to name a few. But that doesn't suggest that this season will be any less painful. Joe Mauer hasn't played over 150 games once in his career. Justin Morneau is a shell of his once self. Jamey Carroll will be their shortstop and the only talented outfielder is Josh Willingham. The future definitely looks brighter than the present for the Twins
4. Chicago White Sox
2013 Predicted Record: 76-86
Chicago enjoyed surprisingly good success last season by leading the division most of the year against the loaded Detroit Tigers, until they bottomed out and blew their lead to end the season. Bounce back years from Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, and Adam Dunn all helped propel the White Sox to an 85 win season that should've been a 90 win season.
This offseason really hasn't been too exciting Chicago. They've spent $12 million on platoon man Jeff Keppinger to play a position he rarely ever plays. And they also signed a hard-throwing reliever. Chicago also lost the heart and soul of their team in AJ Pierzinski, along with Kevin Youkilis, Francsico Liriano, and Brett Myers.
This season the White Sox have a lineup full of aging hitters. Their three best hitters are all above the age of 32, and even though Paul Konerko has been consistent, this might be the season he starts to decline. Gordan Beckham has proven to be a solid defensive player, but his bat hasn't panned out like the scouts once thought it would. The rotation had its ups and downs last season. Chris Sale and Jake Peavy were spectacular, with Jose Quintana being a pleasant surprise at the end of the rotation. But Gavin Floyd, Francisco Liriano, and Phil Humber struggled with none of the three posting an ERA under 4.29. John Danks struggled with injuries and only pitched in nine games.
This year will be interesting. The lineup could potentially be pretty good, but with aging and disappointing hitters it most likely won't be too much of a force. The staff is chock full of injury prone pitchers as well, which is why the White Sox won't repeat with a positive record.
3. Cleveland Indians
2013 Predicted Record: 81-81
The Indians went from a promising 80 wins two seasons ago to a dismal 92 losses last year. They outhit only the Seattle Mariners in the AL and outpitched nobody. It looked like a promising season at first with Chris Perez and Jason Kipnis making the all-star team, but soon the club dipped back under .500 and stayed there. Travis Hafner didn't produce. Grady Sizemore didn't play a game. The team's best starter was Zach McCallister who went 6-8 with a 4.24 ERA.
But the front office looked to bring the team back to a 2007 ALCS like state that had the whole city buzzing about the bright future of the team. Even though that excitement, along with Grady Sizemore's career, faded quickly, the Indians were determined this offseason. They signed eccentric outfielder Nick Swisher to a four year deal, and got this free agency's best outfielder in Michael Bourn. The Indians then pulled off an absolute steal when they gave up Shin Shoo Choo for a somewhat outfielder in Drew Stubbs and starter Trevor Bauer, the number three overall pick just three years ago and a top twenty prospect.
This season the lineup could potentially give Detroit a run for its money. Nick Swisher brings power from both sides of the plate along with catcher Carlos Santana. Bourn will give you 40 stolen bases, 100 runs, and superb defense. Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera make up a potent up-the-middle duo with both the ability to hit and defend.
The rotation will be the key to the Tribes success this year though. Last year Ubaldo Jimenez was god-awful and Justin Masterson, who looked as though he was on the rise, took a step back. With the signing of Brett Myers and acquiring Trevor Bauer, the staff has a chance to carry the Indians but the big-name guys need to have bounce back years.
2. Kansas City Royals
2013 Predicted Record: 87-75
Yes, the Royals will finish somewhere besides fourth or fifth place this season. After almost a decade of draft busts and trade chips that never panned out, the Royals decided to actually go for a talented player this offseason in James Shields. Shields went 15-10 last year and has pitched atleast 200 innings three straight seasons. But they had to give up a potential superstar in Wil Myers, the fourth rated prospect according to Baseball America. The Royals also signed Ervin Santana to an excessive $13 million and Jeremy Guthrie to an even more absurd $25.5 million. Being that it is that these pitchers are being overpaid, it's clear that the Royals are trying their best to patch up a typically awful rotation.
Even though Myers is gone, the Royals still have an incredible lineup and there wouldn't have been enough room for him anyways. Salvador Perez is only 23 but has the rare combination of a strong arm and being a great hitter. He hit .303 and slugged .471 last season and showed some flashes of greatness. Eric Hosmer was chosen by some as a dark horse MVP candidate last year, but instead fell into a sophomore slump and hit a mere .232. He did well at the WBC and he should do better than last season. The outfield trio of Gordon, Cain, and Francoeur will be top of the line defensively and is looks like Alex Gordon is finally becoming the player everyone thought he would.
With the lineup have more than enough power and speed, it all depends on the rotation for the Royals. But either way they're going to finally be a contendor.
2013 Predicted Record: 65-97
Over the next six years, the Twins will be paying Joe Mauer $23 million annually. This isn't too unreasonable, given Mauer's batting titles and an MVP under his belt. The only problem is that the Twins' payroll is about $80 million this season. So if you were to do the math, Joe Mauer is taking up one fourth of the team's payroll to only catch half the time and play at most 145 games.
Now that general manager Terry Ryan is back and calling all of the shots, he's made some solid moves. His main focus has been to patch up the pitching staff since the team's best starter is Scott Diamond currently. So he traded speed demon Ben Revere to Philly for Vance Worley, a 25-year old starter with solid stuff. Denard Span was sent to Washington for the prospect that the Nats did not want to give up in Alex Meyer. Ryan also signed Rich Harden and Mike Pelfrey to make the team a little more competitive.
The Twins are absolutely loaded on prospects, with Kyle Gibson, Miguel Sano, and Aaron Hicks just to name a few. But that doesn't suggest that this season will be any less painful. Joe Mauer hasn't played over 150 games once in his career. Justin Morneau is a shell of his once self. Jamey Carroll will be their shortstop and the only talented outfielder is Josh Willingham. The future definitely looks brighter than the present for the Twins
4. Chicago White Sox
2013 Predicted Record: 76-86
This offseason really hasn't been too exciting Chicago. They've spent $12 million on platoon man Jeff Keppinger to play a position he rarely ever plays. And they also signed a hard-throwing reliever. Chicago also lost the heart and soul of their team in AJ Pierzinski, along with Kevin Youkilis, Francsico Liriano, and Brett Myers.
This season the White Sox have a lineup full of aging hitters. Their three best hitters are all above the age of 32, and even though Paul Konerko has been consistent, this might be the season he starts to decline. Gordan Beckham has proven to be a solid defensive player, but his bat hasn't panned out like the scouts once thought it would. The rotation had its ups and downs last season. Chris Sale and Jake Peavy were spectacular, with Jose Quintana being a pleasant surprise at the end of the rotation. But Gavin Floyd, Francisco Liriano, and Phil Humber struggled with none of the three posting an ERA under 4.29. John Danks struggled with injuries and only pitched in nine games.
This year will be interesting. The lineup could potentially be pretty good, but with aging and disappointing hitters it most likely won't be too much of a force. The staff is chock full of injury prone pitchers as well, which is why the White Sox won't repeat with a positive record.
3. Cleveland Indians
2013 Predicted Record: 81-81
The Indians went from a promising 80 wins two seasons ago to a dismal 92 losses last year. They outhit only the Seattle Mariners in the AL and outpitched nobody. It looked like a promising season at first with Chris Perez and Jason Kipnis making the all-star team, but soon the club dipped back under .500 and stayed there. Travis Hafner didn't produce. Grady Sizemore didn't play a game. The team's best starter was Zach McCallister who went 6-8 with a 4.24 ERA.
But the front office looked to bring the team back to a 2007 ALCS like state that had the whole city buzzing about the bright future of the team. Even though that excitement, along with Grady Sizemore's career, faded quickly, the Indians were determined this offseason. They signed eccentric outfielder Nick Swisher to a four year deal, and got this free agency's best outfielder in Michael Bourn. The Indians then pulled off an absolute steal when they gave up Shin Shoo Choo for a somewhat outfielder in Drew Stubbs and starter Trevor Bauer, the number three overall pick just three years ago and a top twenty prospect.
This season the lineup could potentially give Detroit a run for its money. Nick Swisher brings power from both sides of the plate along with catcher Carlos Santana. Bourn will give you 40 stolen bases, 100 runs, and superb defense. Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera make up a potent up-the-middle duo with both the ability to hit and defend.
The rotation will be the key to the Tribes success this year though. Last year Ubaldo Jimenez was god-awful and Justin Masterson, who looked as though he was on the rise, took a step back. With the signing of Brett Myers and acquiring Trevor Bauer, the staff has a chance to carry the Indians but the big-name guys need to have bounce back years.
2. Kansas City Royals
2013 Predicted Record: 87-75
Yes, the Royals will finish somewhere besides fourth or fifth place this season. After almost a decade of draft busts and trade chips that never panned out, the Royals decided to actually go for a talented player this offseason in James Shields. Shields went 15-10 last year and has pitched atleast 200 innings three straight seasons. But they had to give up a potential superstar in Wil Myers, the fourth rated prospect according to Baseball America. The Royals also signed Ervin Santana to an excessive $13 million and Jeremy Guthrie to an even more absurd $25.5 million. Being that it is that these pitchers are being overpaid, it's clear that the Royals are trying their best to patch up a typically awful rotation.Even though Myers is gone, the Royals still have an incredible lineup and there wouldn't have been enough room for him anyways. Salvador Perez is only 23 but has the rare combination of a strong arm and being a great hitter. He hit .303 and slugged .471 last season and showed some flashes of greatness. Eric Hosmer was chosen by some as a dark horse MVP candidate last year, but instead fell into a sophomore slump and hit a mere .232. He did well at the WBC and he should do better than last season. The outfield trio of Gordon, Cain, and Francoeur will be top of the line defensively and is looks like Alex Gordon is finally becoming the player everyone thought he would.
With the lineup have more than enough power and speed, it all depends on the rotation for the Royals. But either way they're going to finally be a contendor.
1. Detroit Tigers
2013 Predicted Record: 100-62
Picking the Tigers to win the Central is a pretty safe pick. They coasted through the season last year just hanging around the White Sox in second place until they turned it on the last month and took first place. Miguel Cabrera won the first triple crown since 1967 and snatched the MVP over a worthy candidate in Mike Trout. Justin Verlander was as flithy as usual winning 17 games.
The Tigers are a prime example of what having a rich, competitive owner can do for a team. Mike Ilitch decided he wanted a championship level team, so he traded prospects Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for Miguel Cabrera.Over the past eight years he's signed Victor Martinez, Prince Fielder, Johhny Peralta, Ivan Rodriguez, and Jose Valverde. Add to that list this summer Torii Hunter and Anibal Sanchez.
The lineup is superb from both sides of the plate. The Tigers made the WS last year and now they have Martinez and Hunter on the team. Add to that a full year of Anibal Sanchez, a weak division, and a team full of stars and the Tigers should win the central with ease.
2013 Predicted Record: 100-62
Picking the Tigers to win the Central is a pretty safe pick. They coasted through the season last year just hanging around the White Sox in second place until they turned it on the last month and took first place. Miguel Cabrera won the first triple crown since 1967 and snatched the MVP over a worthy candidate in Mike Trout. Justin Verlander was as flithy as usual winning 17 games.
The Tigers are a prime example of what having a rich, competitive owner can do for a team. Mike Ilitch decided he wanted a championship level team, so he traded prospects Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for Miguel Cabrera.Over the past eight years he's signed Victor Martinez, Prince Fielder, Johhny Peralta, Ivan Rodriguez, and Jose Valverde. Add to that list this summer Torii Hunter and Anibal Sanchez.
The lineup is superb from both sides of the plate. The Tigers made the WS last year and now they have Martinez and Hunter on the team. Add to that a full year of Anibal Sanchez, a weak division, and a team full of stars and the Tigers should win the central with ease.
