Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau

 

The American League Central has been one of the most competitive and entertaining divisions in baseball over the past decade. While the division doesn't post the team with the best record, or the League's Most Valuable Player, it has provided us with a few Cy Young Award winners and photo finishes in the final weekend of the regular season. Expect this division to provide much of the same during the 2010 season.

 

The Cleveland Indians will be in the midst of a race this season, but not a race at the top. While depending on pitchers like Jeremy Sowers (6-11; 5.25 era), Fausto Carmona (5-12; 6.23 era), and Jake Westbrook, who hasn't pitched since June, 2008, a team that recently sported two consecutive Cy Young winners could struggle mightily in that department.

 

To add to the potential problems on the "bump," the Indians have several position players that have to either recover from injuries, or return to the form they had when Cleveland was competitive. Look for this team to lose 90-plus games in 2010.

 

The Kansas City Royals are interesting. They gave the Central its third consecutive Cy Young award winner in Zack Greinke, they have to get SOMETHING from Brian Bannister, Gil Meche, or Luke Hochevar in 2010 for this team to have legitimate progress. The addition of Jason Kendall could either help the staff, or end up being another insignificant signing by the Royals.

 

Offensively, Kansas City lost Miguel Olivo, but expect young Billy Butler to improve on last year's totals. Butler and the addition of Rick Ankiel could provide decent productivity for the Royals. They could finish ahead of the Indians, but they are still a long way from contention in the Central.

 

The Detroit Tigers are the toughest team to figure out in the A.L. Central. They parted ways with Curtis Granderson, and it looks as if they did it with a plan. I'm not sure if the plan will equate to winning, but after one of the biggest choke jobs in baseball last year, it will be difficult for this team to contend with Miguel Cabrera, essentially, doing it alone.

 

Inspite the Adam Everett acquisition being publicized as being the deal the Tigers needed last season, his .238 batting average is a weak link. In addition, Magglio Ordonez resembles a non-productive number two hitter and Brandon Inge swings for the fences to the tune of a .230 batting average. Put that all together and the Tigers will be lucky to go .500. Very lucky.

 

Ozzie Guillen's will may cause improvement with the Chicago White Sox. If there is any manager in baseball who can do it, he's one of them. Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd will have to perform like front of the rotation starters, and they are hoping Jake Peavy can return to the form that made him one of the game's best, but the potential is there.

 

The questions with the White Sox are with the line-up. Can the Sox get what they could not get last season, clutch hitting? On the surface, it doesn't look as if they have done too much to help that, and they will need someone to provide the first half numbers Jermaine Dye provided. If the Sox get this, they will challenge Minnesota for the Central title. If not, the division will be a sprint against the clock for one team.

 

The Minnesota Twins are the class of the A.L. Central. Francisco Liriano was once counted on to be the next ace of the staff, but that hasn't happened. Scott Baker did happen. He has stepped up to eat innings and win games. Carl Pavano has added a veteran presence since coming over from Cleveland.

 

The pitching isn't the only bright spot for the Twins. Joe Mauer has become one of the best players in the game. Last year's effort was not his peak performance. Look for him to continue to assault the American League.

 

Former M.V.P. Justin Morneau only played 135 games, but still had 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in. If he returns to form, along with the 32 home runs and 90-plus runs batted in for Michael Cuddyer, the Twins could have the best line-up in the division. They fortified that by adding Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome. The Twins could win 90-93 in 2010.

 

Rob Long