The Cleveland Indians' amazing run came to an end when they ran into the Baby Bombers in the American League Division Series last season. They will have to clean the slate, while they make another strong attempt at a world championship.
For the most part, much of their roster is returning, they did lose a few bullpen arms, but still should be among the league's best in that department... while the team said goodbye to team staple Carlos Santana (who signed with the Phillies). The Indians would sign 1B-Yonder Alonso to take the place of Santana.
Cleveland needs Trevor Bauer to step up (it's a make-or-break season for him), while they need Danny Salazar to stay healthy. With the emergence of Mike Clevinger last season, I would put Clevinger in the rotation, and take advantage of Salazar's power arm in the bullpen... that would be a nasty weapon coming out of the pen to go along with Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, Dan Otero, Zack McAllister, Nick Goody & Tyler Olson.
Jason Kipnis had an excellent spring, if he can play closer to his All-Star years rather than last year, it will make Cleveland's situation as a championship contender so much better... So for now, he stays at second while Jose Ramirez remains at third. Ramirez stepped up to another level last year, as he fell short in the A.L. MVP race.... he is personally one of my favorite players to watch.
I am not sure about their outfield situation overall, you have Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall, who both have a difficult time staying healthy, while rising star Bradley Zimmer will be solid in center. I question if they should have added or found a healthy, outfielder with power.... we'll have to wait and see if this will be a area that they will upgrade once the trade deadline comes.
The Tribe really have no overall holes, but I feel that overall they are not as solid as the Yankees.
The Minnesota Twins plan to take that next step this season, they made the moves to make this progression & should have no problem making the post-season. True, they won't catch anyone by surprise this season, but they have a strong young core of players led by a few veterans to make them competitive enough to play with the big boys this fall.
Ervin Santana may have a hard time duplicating last season, but should still have a strong season... Jose Berrios is developing nicely, and is getting closer to being ace material. Adding Lance Lynn was a nice touch, giving the rotation more stability with adding another veteran... but don't expect him to be as good as he was during his peak in St. Louis. The team also acquired starter Jake Odorizzi from Tampa Bay.
The bullpen added vets in Fernando Rodney and Addison Reed, to go along with youngsters Taylor Rogers and Trevor Hildenberger.
The team has solid depth on the bench, while also having their best pitching staff in quite some time.
The Chicago White Sox may not look like much right now, but with the army of prospects and rising stars, this team is a quiet storm a brewing. Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Carlos Rodon, Michael Kopech, Carson Fulmer, Dylan Cease, Reynaldo Lopez & Eloy Jimenez among others, are going to change the losing atmosphere in Chicago, but will have to take their lumps for now.
They did add veteran catcher Welington Castillo to help anchor the young rotation.
The bullpen could definitely use some arms, I would say this is their obvious weakness, while other areas are starting shed some light & hope. One things for sure, plenty of players will get plenty of opportunities.
The Detroit Tigers traded away fan favorites Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson last season, for the most part, those deals brought plenty of prospects back in return. One of those prospects was Jeimer Candelario who is already winning many Tiger fans' hearts, he will be fun to watch growing.
Good news, we still have Miguel Cabrera, he should bounce back a bit, but his dominant days may be over.
Their off-season additions however are nothing to rave about. Spending $1.5 million on Leonys Martin was a head-scratcher, when he could have easily landed with us, under a minor league contract / non-roster invitee deal. Adding Mike Fiers was nothing more than adding a veteran arm to the rotation, it'll be extra insurance in case Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd falter again... both showed some hope in late 2017, so there is reason to be optimistic.
Detroit needs help everywhere, but most notably the bullpen, there is Shane Greene, Joe Jimenez and practically nothing else.
I wrote a past article a few months ago, that the Tigers would be "historically bad", but I forgot to calculate the wins they would get against Kansas City & Chicago... Those three teams will beat up on each other. For now, players like Mikie Mahtook, John Hicks, Niko Goodrum & Victor Reyes all get to place house for a bit.
The Kansas City Royals are back in the cellar after an amazing short run, they said goodbye to Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain, while a bizarre, slow market helped the team luck out by resigning Mike Moustakas. Adding Lucas Duda and Jon Jay are productive moves, while they can hope for the good, old Alex Gordon makes a return of sorts.
They also seem to be having bad luck with Jorge Bonifacio popped for 80-game suspension (drug use), while Salvador Perez fell down his stairs at home.
Jorge Soler will get his at-bats this season, so it's time for this underachieving talent to finally perform or shut up.
A.L. CENTRAL
1. Cleveland
2. Minnesota*
3. Chicago (A)
4/5 - Detroit or Kansas City
All three teams can really be interchangeable when you think about it.
*-Wild Card
