Chicago White Sox
2006 ? 90-72 (third place American League Central)
Key additions
SP Gavin Floyd (4-3, 7.29 ERA) Philadelphia Phillies
RP Andrew Sisco (1-3, 7.10 ERA) Kansas City Royals
OF-1B Darin Erstad (.221 5 RBI) Los Angeles Angels
Key losses
RP Neal Cotts (1-2, 5.17 ERA) to Chicago Cubs
RP David Riske (1-2, 3.89 ERA) to Royals
SP Freddy Garcia (17-9, 4.53 ERA) to Phillies
SP Brandon McCarthy (4-7, 4.68 ERA) to Texas Rangers
Lineup
The lineup that led the AL in homers and finished tied for fourth in hitting last year returns unchanged. Even though the heart of the order is 100 years old combined, Jim Thome, Paul Kornerko and Jermaine Dye should have plenty left in the tank to approach last season?s power totals (121 HRs, 342 RBIs).
The one weak spot last year was center field. The trade of gritty Aaron Rowand to Philadelphia pushed Brian N. Anderson into the lineup and he quickly showed he wasn?t ready. Anderson could get another shot this year, but the offseason acquisition of throwback Darin Erstad shows that the Sox won?t be handcuffed if he isn?t up to the task. Don?t be shocked to see Erstad in center on opening day. Grade: A-
Pitching staff
The pitching staff suffered a major hangover last year, seeing their team ERA rise by exactly one full run per nine innings. A career of being an innings eater finally caught up with staff ace Mark Buehrle. He struggled to go 12-13 with a bloated 4.99 ERA after averaging 16 wins with a 3.61 ERA in his first five full years as a starter. The trade of Freddy Garcia (17 wins) to the Phillies will only add to the issues as prospects Gavin Floyd and John Danks try to fill the fifth rotation spot.
Young flamethrowers Mike MacDougal and Bobby Jenks (41 saves) anchor a bullpen that could be pitching in the postseason if the likes of Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, and Jon Garland can get back on track. Grade: B-
Prediction: 89-73, second place American League Central
Cleveland Indians
2006: 78-84 (Fourth place American League Central)
Key additions
2B Josh Barfield (.280 13 HR 58 RBI 21SB) San Diego Padres
OF Dave Dellucci (.292 13 HR) Philadelphia Phillies
OF Trot Nixon (.268 8 HR 52 RBI) Boston Red Sox
RP Joe Borowski (36 SVs, 3.75 ERA) Florida Marlins
RP Aaron Fultz (3-1, 4.54 ERA) Phillies
RP Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 3.11 ERA) New York Mets
Key losses
3B Aaron Boone (.251 7 HR 46 RBI) to Marlins
Lineup
Depth, youth, experience, this team has it all. The acquisition of OF David Dellucci will allow Casey Blake to play first base until Ryan Garko?s glove can catch up to his bat (7 HRs 45 RBIs in 185 at bats in 2006). Josh Barfield had a great rookie season in San Diego and the move to a better hitter?s park combined with a year in the show under his belt should add up to big things for the Tribe. Third baseman Aaron Boone was finally dumped to make room for Andy Marte who should be able to match Boone?s anemic numbers with one arm tied behind his back. Factor in five-tool player Grady Sizemore (.290, 28 HR, 81 RBI, 22SB) and absolute monster Travis Hafner (.308, 42 HR, 117 RBI) and this team has the makings of an offensive juggernaut. Grade: A
Pitching staff
Cleveland?s bullpen blew almost as many saves as it locked down in 2006 (23-24). Enter Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez and Keith Foulke (596 career saves combined). Although Foulke retired in spring training, the bullpen should be beefed up enough to take pressure off a young but effective starting rotation.
Ace C.C. Sabathia heads a staff with four starters that have won at least 15 games in a season at some point in their careers. With a formidable lineup behind them, there is no reason why they can?t average or surpass that marker in 2007. Toss in 23 year-old lefty hurler Jeremy Sowers (7-4, 3.57 ERA) as the fifth starter and there won?t be many easy days for opposing batters. Grade: B+
Prediction: 94-68. First place American League Central
Detroit Tigers
2006 ? 95-67 (second place American League Central)
Key additions
RP Jose Mesa (1-5, 3.86 ERA) Colorado Rockies
OF Gary Sheffield (.298 six HR) New York Yankees
Key losses
RP Jamie Walker (0-1, 2.81 ERA) to Baltimore Orioles
DH Dmitri Young (.250 seven HR) to Washington Nationals
Lineup
Despite the addition of Gary Sheffield and a full year of Sean Casey on the roster, this lineup remains very similar to the one that lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series last season. Sheffield adds more pop than the departed Dmitri Young, but at 38 years old his best days are in the rearview mirror. Casey, who hit .245 for the Tigers after coming over midseason from Pittsburgh, is more valuable as a clubhouse leader than as a hitter.
The Tigers struck out more than any other American League team outside of the Cleveland Indians last year. Their inability to hit mediocre pitching led to an quick World Series exit and made stars of guys like Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan who suddenly became desirable free agents in the offseason. Grade: C+
Pitching staff
The recipe for success for Detroit: take a crop of young fireballers, mix in a dash of rookie luck, top off with some crusty old veterans, and you have a championship caliber pitching staff. The 42-year old Kenny Rogers will be hard pressed to win 17 games again this season and with fellow senior tour members Todd Jones (38) and Jose Mesa (40) throwing at the twilight of their careers, even more pressure will rest on the younger players.
That might not necessarily be a bad thing. Jeremy Bonderman has the potential of a 20-game winner, Nate Robertson is a solid left-handed compliment, and with Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander throwing 100 MPH, the Tigers are in good shape for years to come. If Joel Zumaya can stay healthy, he should supplant Jones as closer by the All-Star break. Grade: B+
Prediction: 88-74 third place American League Central
Kansas City Royals
2006 ? 62-100 (5th place, American League Central)
Key additions
SP Brain Bannister (2-1, 4.26 ERA) New York Mets
SP Gil Meche (11-8, 4.48 ERA) Seattle Mariners
RP David Riske (1-2, 3.89 ERA) Chicago White Sox
1B Ross Gload (.327, 3 HR) White Sox
C Jason LaRue (.191, 8 HR 21 RBI) Cincinnati Reds
Key losses
RP Ambiorix Burgos (4-5, 5.52 ERA 18 SVs) to Mets
SP Mark Redman (11-10, 5.71 ERA) to Atlanta Braves
1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.280, 43 RBI .996 FLD%) to New York Yankees
Lineup
Needless to say, this won?t be the year for the Royals. They do have a fine young crop of players that will get significant playing time in order to hone their abilities at the big-league level. Alex Gordon, the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft, will get ample opportunity to learn on the job with last year?s third-bagger, Mark Teahan moving to the outfield. Centerfielder David DeJesus is developing nicely and will continue to learn from veterans Mark Grudzielanek and Mike Sweeney until they are dispatched at the trade deadline. In a position battle that speaks volumes about the state of the Royals, don?t be surprised if 2003 Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa loses his starting shortstop job to veteran journeyman Alex S. Gonzalez (career .242 average). Yuck. Grade: D
Pitching staff
Kansas City?s pitching staff was by far the worst in the majors last season. Maybe that is why their front office spent $55M on Gil Meche, a pitcher with a career 4.65 ERA to be the ace of the staff. Despite overpaying for Meche, the staff could be better than in 2006 (they can?t be worse, can they?). Although they lost All-Star lefty Mark Redman. Brian Bannister was nice pickup from the Mets and if Octavio Dotel can reclaim the form that saw him save 36 games in 2004, they might have a reliable closer. Don?t bet on it. Grade: F
Prediction: 60-102, 5th place AL Central
Minnesota Twins
2006 ? 96-66 (first place American League Central)
Key additions
SP Ramon Ortiz (11-16, 5.57 ERA) Washington Nationals
SP Sidney Ponson (4-5, 6.25 ERA) New York Yankees
3B Jeff Cirillo (.319 3 HR 23 RBI) Milwaukee Brewers
Key losses
SP Brad Radke (12-9, 4.32 ERA) retired
SP Francisco Liriano (12-3, 2.16 ERA) season-ending injury
OF Shannon Stewart (.293 2 HR 21 RBI) to Oakland Athletics
Lineup
There is no reason to think that the Twins can?t lead the American League in hitting for a second consecutive season with a lineup that boasts both the reigning AL MVP and batting champion. Outfielder Michael Cuddyer (24 HR, 109 RBI, 102 runs) had a breakout season and shortstop Jason Bartlett (.309 BA) showed that he is finally major-league ready. Add in six-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter and it isn't hard to see that there is a lot to be optimistic about in the Land of 1000 Lakes.
Until you look at the pitching staff, that is. Grade: B+
Pitching staff
Two-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana will have to shoulder a heavier load than in the past with newcomers Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson replacing Brad Radke (retired) and Francisco Liriano (season-ending injury) in the starting rotation. A move to the Homer Dome shouldn?t bode well for Ortiz, who had a hard time keeping the ball from flying out of spacious RFK stadium (15 dingers at home). Ponson hasn?t fared well since winning 17 games in 2003, compiling a record of 22-31 with a lofty 5.76 ERA. Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva (combined 18-21, 5.55) round out a rotation that will struggle in a talent-laden AL Central. Grade: C
Prediction: 81-81 fourth place American League Central
2006 ? 90-72 (third place American League Central)
Key additions
SP Gavin Floyd (4-3, 7.29 ERA) Philadelphia Phillies
RP Andrew Sisco (1-3, 7.10 ERA) Kansas City Royals
OF-1B Darin Erstad (.221 5 RBI) Los Angeles Angels
Key losses
RP Neal Cotts (1-2, 5.17 ERA) to Chicago Cubs
RP David Riske (1-2, 3.89 ERA) to Royals
SP Freddy Garcia (17-9, 4.53 ERA) to Phillies
SP Brandon McCarthy (4-7, 4.68 ERA) to Texas Rangers
Lineup
The lineup that led the AL in homers and finished tied for fourth in hitting last year returns unchanged. Even though the heart of the order is 100 years old combined, Jim Thome, Paul Kornerko and Jermaine Dye should have plenty left in the tank to approach last season?s power totals (121 HRs, 342 RBIs).
The one weak spot last year was center field. The trade of gritty Aaron Rowand to Philadelphia pushed Brian N. Anderson into the lineup and he quickly showed he wasn?t ready. Anderson could get another shot this year, but the offseason acquisition of throwback Darin Erstad shows that the Sox won?t be handcuffed if he isn?t up to the task. Don?t be shocked to see Erstad in center on opening day. Grade: A-
Pitching staff
The pitching staff suffered a major hangover last year, seeing their team ERA rise by exactly one full run per nine innings. A career of being an innings eater finally caught up with staff ace Mark Buehrle. He struggled to go 12-13 with a bloated 4.99 ERA after averaging 16 wins with a 3.61 ERA in his first five full years as a starter. The trade of Freddy Garcia (17 wins) to the Phillies will only add to the issues as prospects Gavin Floyd and John Danks try to fill the fifth rotation spot.
Young flamethrowers Mike MacDougal and Bobby Jenks (41 saves) anchor a bullpen that could be pitching in the postseason if the likes of Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, and Jon Garland can get back on track. Grade: B-
Prediction: 89-73, second place American League Central
Cleveland Indians
2006: 78-84 (Fourth place American League Central)
Key additions
2B Josh Barfield (.280 13 HR 58 RBI 21SB) San Diego Padres
OF Dave Dellucci (.292 13 HR) Philadelphia Phillies
OF Trot Nixon (.268 8 HR 52 RBI) Boston Red Sox
RP Joe Borowski (36 SVs, 3.75 ERA) Florida Marlins
RP Aaron Fultz (3-1, 4.54 ERA) Phillies
RP Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 3.11 ERA) New York Mets
Key losses
3B Aaron Boone (.251 7 HR 46 RBI) to Marlins
Lineup
Depth, youth, experience, this team has it all. The acquisition of OF David Dellucci will allow Casey Blake to play first base until Ryan Garko?s glove can catch up to his bat (7 HRs 45 RBIs in 185 at bats in 2006). Josh Barfield had a great rookie season in San Diego and the move to a better hitter?s park combined with a year in the show under his belt should add up to big things for the Tribe. Third baseman Aaron Boone was finally dumped to make room for Andy Marte who should be able to match Boone?s anemic numbers with one arm tied behind his back. Factor in five-tool player Grady Sizemore (.290, 28 HR, 81 RBI, 22SB) and absolute monster Travis Hafner (.308, 42 HR, 117 RBI) and this team has the makings of an offensive juggernaut. Grade: A
Pitching staff
Cleveland?s bullpen blew almost as many saves as it locked down in 2006 (23-24). Enter Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez and Keith Foulke (596 career saves combined). Although Foulke retired in spring training, the bullpen should be beefed up enough to take pressure off a young but effective starting rotation.
Ace C.C. Sabathia heads a staff with four starters that have won at least 15 games in a season at some point in their careers. With a formidable lineup behind them, there is no reason why they can?t average or surpass that marker in 2007. Toss in 23 year-old lefty hurler Jeremy Sowers (7-4, 3.57 ERA) as the fifth starter and there won?t be many easy days for opposing batters. Grade: B+
Prediction: 94-68. First place American League Central
Detroit Tigers
2006 ? 95-67 (second place American League Central)
Key additions
RP Jose Mesa (1-5, 3.86 ERA) Colorado Rockies
OF Gary Sheffield (.298 six HR) New York Yankees
Key losses
RP Jamie Walker (0-1, 2.81 ERA) to Baltimore Orioles
DH Dmitri Young (.250 seven HR) to Washington Nationals
Lineup
Despite the addition of Gary Sheffield and a full year of Sean Casey on the roster, this lineup remains very similar to the one that lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series last season. Sheffield adds more pop than the departed Dmitri Young, but at 38 years old his best days are in the rearview mirror. Casey, who hit .245 for the Tigers after coming over midseason from Pittsburgh, is more valuable as a clubhouse leader than as a hitter.
The Tigers struck out more than any other American League team outside of the Cleveland Indians last year. Their inability to hit mediocre pitching led to an quick World Series exit and made stars of guys like Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan who suddenly became desirable free agents in the offseason. Grade: C+
Pitching staff
The recipe for success for Detroit: take a crop of young fireballers, mix in a dash of rookie luck, top off with some crusty old veterans, and you have a championship caliber pitching staff. The 42-year old Kenny Rogers will be hard pressed to win 17 games again this season and with fellow senior tour members Todd Jones (38) and Jose Mesa (40) throwing at the twilight of their careers, even more pressure will rest on the younger players.
That might not necessarily be a bad thing. Jeremy Bonderman has the potential of a 20-game winner, Nate Robertson is a solid left-handed compliment, and with Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander throwing 100 MPH, the Tigers are in good shape for years to come. If Joel Zumaya can stay healthy, he should supplant Jones as closer by the All-Star break. Grade: B+
Prediction: 88-74 third place American League Central
Kansas City Royals
2006 ? 62-100 (5th place, American League Central)
Key additions
SP Brain Bannister (2-1, 4.26 ERA) New York Mets
SP Gil Meche (11-8, 4.48 ERA) Seattle Mariners
RP David Riske (1-2, 3.89 ERA) Chicago White Sox
1B Ross Gload (.327, 3 HR) White Sox
C Jason LaRue (.191, 8 HR 21 RBI) Cincinnati Reds
Key losses
RP Ambiorix Burgos (4-5, 5.52 ERA 18 SVs) to Mets
SP Mark Redman (11-10, 5.71 ERA) to Atlanta Braves
1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.280, 43 RBI .996 FLD%) to New York Yankees
Lineup
Needless to say, this won?t be the year for the Royals. They do have a fine young crop of players that will get significant playing time in order to hone their abilities at the big-league level. Alex Gordon, the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft, will get ample opportunity to learn on the job with last year?s third-bagger, Mark Teahan moving to the outfield. Centerfielder David DeJesus is developing nicely and will continue to learn from veterans Mark Grudzielanek and Mike Sweeney until they are dispatched at the trade deadline. In a position battle that speaks volumes about the state of the Royals, don?t be surprised if 2003 Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa loses his starting shortstop job to veteran journeyman Alex S. Gonzalez (career .242 average). Yuck. Grade: D
Pitching staff
Kansas City?s pitching staff was by far the worst in the majors last season. Maybe that is why their front office spent $55M on Gil Meche, a pitcher with a career 4.65 ERA to be the ace of the staff. Despite overpaying for Meche, the staff could be better than in 2006 (they can?t be worse, can they?). Although they lost All-Star lefty Mark Redman. Brian Bannister was nice pickup from the Mets and if Octavio Dotel can reclaim the form that saw him save 36 games in 2004, they might have a reliable closer. Don?t bet on it. Grade: F
Prediction: 60-102, 5th place AL Central
Minnesota Twins
2006 ? 96-66 (first place American League Central)
Key additions
SP Ramon Ortiz (11-16, 5.57 ERA) Washington Nationals
SP Sidney Ponson (4-5, 6.25 ERA) New York Yankees
3B Jeff Cirillo (.319 3 HR 23 RBI) Milwaukee Brewers
Key losses
SP Brad Radke (12-9, 4.32 ERA) retired
SP Francisco Liriano (12-3, 2.16 ERA) season-ending injury
OF Shannon Stewart (.293 2 HR 21 RBI) to Oakland Athletics
Lineup
There is no reason to think that the Twins can?t lead the American League in hitting for a second consecutive season with a lineup that boasts both the reigning AL MVP and batting champion. Outfielder Michael Cuddyer (24 HR, 109 RBI, 102 runs) had a breakout season and shortstop Jason Bartlett (.309 BA) showed that he is finally major-league ready. Add in six-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter and it isn't hard to see that there is a lot to be optimistic about in the Land of 1000 Lakes.
Until you look at the pitching staff, that is. Grade: B+
Pitching staff
Two-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana will have to shoulder a heavier load than in the past with newcomers Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson replacing Brad Radke (retired) and Francisco Liriano (season-ending injury) in the starting rotation. A move to the Homer Dome shouldn?t bode well for Ortiz, who had a hard time keeping the ball from flying out of spacious RFK stadium (15 dingers at home). Ponson hasn?t fared well since winning 17 games in 2003, compiling a record of 22-31 with a lofty 5.76 ERA. Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva (combined 18-21, 5.55) round out a rotation that will struggle in a talent-laden AL Central. Grade: C
Prediction: 81-81 fourth place American League Central
