AL Central-In Case You Missed It

Last year 162 games was not enough to decide a winner to the AL Central. Detroit controlled the division for most of the year but in the end it was the Twins who won the championship. Only two of the five teams were above .500. And two teams lost more than 95 games. This is a truly mediocre group. Lets see who's better.

Chicago White Sox 79-83
Arrivals
Mark Teahan, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, JJ Putz, Juan Pierra and Freddy Dolsi

Departures
Dewayne Wise, Scott Posednick and DJ Carrasco

Free Agents
Jermaine Dye and Octavio Dotel

The White Sox must have been listening to the Grass Roots because they definitely are Living For Today. These pickups are for a run at the division this season. Also don't forget they picked up Jake Peavy and Alex Rios during last season. They are now the class of the weak division.

Cleveland Indians 65-97
Arrivals
Mike Redmond, Mark Grudzielanek, Mitch Talbot, Saul Rivera, Austin Kearns and Shelly Duncan

Departures
Kelly Shoppach and Jamey Carroll

Free Agents
Tomo Okra and Jose Veras

If the Tribe are done they have done nothing to help themselves. Management gave up on this team fairly early last season and must think 2010 will be a lost year. Hopefully as we speak they are thinking about adding some lower cost talent. As of now a truly awful pitching staff.

Detroit Tigers 86-77
Arrivals
Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke, Austin Jackson, Phil Dumatrait and Jose Valverde

Departures
Brandon Lyon, Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, Placido Polonco, Dusty Ryan, Freddy Dolsi, Matt Treanor, Frenando Rodney and Aubrey Huff

Free Agents
Jared Washburn and Marcus Thames

The Tigers certainly took a step back this off season. BUT with that being said Detroit helped the ballclub for the future. Scherzer will be alot better than Edwin Jackson. Baseball people love Austin Jackson. Scott Sizemore will take over for Polonco. Shedding all that payroll puts them in position to add bats to a rotation that should be outstanding for many years.

Kansas City Royals 65-97
Arrivals
Chris Getz, Jason Kendall, Josh Fields, Brian Anderson, Matt Herges, Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel

Departures
Coco Crisp, Mark Teahan, Yasuhiko Yabuta, Tug Huglett, John Buck, Miguel Olivio and Josh Anderson

Free Agents
Jamey Wright, Doug Waechter, Bruce Chen and Lenny Dinardo

I really thought KC was on the verge of turning things around. Then Zack Grienke has a breakout season and everything else went to hell. And this off season they are heading backwards. The only player who might really help is Rick Ankiel. The rotation has no lefties. There is help in the minors but its probably a few years away

Minnesota Twins 87-76
Arrivals
JJ Hardy, Mike Maroth and Clay Coundry

Departures
Phillip Humber, Boof Bonser, Carlos Gomez, Armando Gabino, Justin Huber, Juan Morillo, Booby Keppel and Mike Redmond

Free Agents
Ron Mahay, Orlando Cabrera and Joe Crede

The biggest arrival for the Twins this year will be their new ballpark Target Field. The dimensions for the new park will be similar to the Metrodome. After almost 30 years the Metrodome's reputation as the homer dome turned out to be a misnomer. The park played very neutral. Being an outdoor park in Minnesota weather will play a large part in early and late season games. As for the team on the field the only big move was trading Carlos Gomez for JJ Hardy. Hardy could use a change of scenery and moving Gomez gives Denard Span an everyday job. The Twins will probably win most games than you'd expect. Like every year.