Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2012 23:15:17 GMT -5
Chicago White Sox: Clayton Kershaw, James Shields, Matt Cain, Gio Gonzalez, and Ivan Nova make up what I consider to be the best starting pitching in the entire league. The bullpen is top-notch as well, with Axford closing games and other good pitchers such as Rafael Soriano and David Robertson to add to him. While you may think with all that pitching they can’t possibly have a good lineup, but the Mike Stanton led lineup can certainly light up a scoreboard. When an above average lineup is your weakest part of the team, you know you are in position to contend. Their farm that is stacked with Yankees prospects and has some potential, but the MLB roster is the focal point of this team.
Cleveland Indians: The Indians have great players to build around. The problem is, they don’t have the money to get any pieces. Owing a total of over $25 million to Brian Roberts, Adam Laroche, and Chone Figgins, the cap being used there could have brought them in some good supporting players. While Alex Avila, Hanley Ramirez, and Alex Rodriguez are nothing to scoff at, the Indians don’t have the money to contend with holes in the lineup and a below average pitching staff, although Cahill and Vogelsong will potentially make it decent. RHP prospect Jacob Turner leads a good farm, but there aren’t enough players in it to assure that it will solve all the team’s problems.
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have one of the most well rounded rosters in the league. For hitting, Crawford, Votto, and Cano lead the way with other solid players around them. There are no real holes in the lineup, outside of not having a SS as of now. The $25 million they have left over can certainly fill that. Their pitching staff is also very good with Bucholtz, Garza, and Marcum leading the way, and young pitchers Julio Teheran and Jordan Zimmerman behind them. Brandon League is the head of an all around solid bullpen. Their MiLB roster is very good as well, and with many potential future stars, this team will only get better.
Kansas City Royals: The organization took an interesting approach. Build on an already stacked farm system and wait for the players to get into the MLB. One year later, the team is filled with young talent. Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Britton are all great young pieces for any team’s pitching staff. Neftali Feliz, who may start for Texas this MLB season, will add to it. Unfortunately, this leaves the bullpen very weak. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Brett Lawrie, and Desmond Jennings are the guys leading the bats. The farm system is still grade-A, so look for some more guys to contribute this season after being called up. With about $70 million to spend, look for the Royals to make a lot of noise in FA.
Minnesota Twins: In a way, the team is like Toronto with a few differences. Both have a lineup full of role players but aren’t good enough to do much. Unlike the Jays, their pitching is low quality. When Randy Wolf is your ace, don’t expect much from your starters. The pen isn’t much better either. Minnesota has about half their cap left for FA, where they can hopefully ad a big name or two. They have many big name prospects however, which leaves them with plenty of hope for the future.
AL CENTRAL 2012 SEASON OVERVIEW: I would have no trouble calling the Al-Central the best division in the league. Detroit and Chicago are looking to be two of the league’s powerhouses, while Royals has a very bright future as a franchise with all the young talent. Cleveland and Minnesota have potential in their teams, and in almost any other division they would not be the teams in last. I predict that the Al Central finishes in this order. Detroit in 1st, Chicago at 2nd, KC in 3rd, Cleveland finishing fourth, and Minnesota ending the season last at 5th.
Cleveland Indians: The Indians have great players to build around. The problem is, they don’t have the money to get any pieces. Owing a total of over $25 million to Brian Roberts, Adam Laroche, and Chone Figgins, the cap being used there could have brought them in some good supporting players. While Alex Avila, Hanley Ramirez, and Alex Rodriguez are nothing to scoff at, the Indians don’t have the money to contend with holes in the lineup and a below average pitching staff, although Cahill and Vogelsong will potentially make it decent. RHP prospect Jacob Turner leads a good farm, but there aren’t enough players in it to assure that it will solve all the team’s problems.
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have one of the most well rounded rosters in the league. For hitting, Crawford, Votto, and Cano lead the way with other solid players around them. There are no real holes in the lineup, outside of not having a SS as of now. The $25 million they have left over can certainly fill that. Their pitching staff is also very good with Bucholtz, Garza, and Marcum leading the way, and young pitchers Julio Teheran and Jordan Zimmerman behind them. Brandon League is the head of an all around solid bullpen. Their MiLB roster is very good as well, and with many potential future stars, this team will only get better.
Kansas City Royals: The organization took an interesting approach. Build on an already stacked farm system and wait for the players to get into the MLB. One year later, the team is filled with young talent. Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Britton are all great young pieces for any team’s pitching staff. Neftali Feliz, who may start for Texas this MLB season, will add to it. Unfortunately, this leaves the bullpen very weak. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Brett Lawrie, and Desmond Jennings are the guys leading the bats. The farm system is still grade-A, so look for some more guys to contribute this season after being called up. With about $70 million to spend, look for the Royals to make a lot of noise in FA.
Minnesota Twins: In a way, the team is like Toronto with a few differences. Both have a lineup full of role players but aren’t good enough to do much. Unlike the Jays, their pitching is low quality. When Randy Wolf is your ace, don’t expect much from your starters. The pen isn’t much better either. Minnesota has about half their cap left for FA, where they can hopefully ad a big name or two. They have many big name prospects however, which leaves them with plenty of hope for the future.
AL CENTRAL 2012 SEASON OVERVIEW: I would have no trouble calling the Al-Central the best division in the league. Detroit and Chicago are looking to be two of the league’s powerhouses, while Royals has a very bright future as a franchise with all the young talent. Cleveland and Minnesota have potential in their teams, and in almost any other division they would not be the teams in last. I predict that the Al Central finishes in this order. Detroit in 1st, Chicago at 2nd, KC in 3rd, Cleveland finishing fourth, and Minnesota ending the season last at 5th.