AL Central Preview

Detroit Tigers

Rotation: Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers, Nate Robertson
Two years ago the Tigers' pitching carried them to the World Series. Last year, the pitching, largely the same rotation, slumped noticeably. Rogers isn't getting any younger but you can do worse at the back of the rotation, Robertson is fine in the five spot also. The Tigers need Willis and Bonderman, who might have major arm problems, to rebound. It would also be nice if Verlander went from very good to excellent, he has Cy Young ability if he can put it all together. If that happens, this team will be unstoppable. If it doesn't, they'll still be very, very good.

Line-up: C-Ivan Rodriguez
1B-Carlos Guillen
2B-Placido Polanco
SS-Edgar Renteria
3B-Miguel Cabrera
LF-Jacque Jones/Marcus Thames
CF-Curtis Granderson
RF-Magglio Ordonez
DH-Gary Sheffield
The Tigers added an MVP candidate, although there defense will suffer for it. They have talent at every position, except at catcher, where Ivan Rodriguez is starting to show his age. He's a no doubt hall of famer, but he's no longer much of a hitter. This line-up will score runs, even with Granderson starting the year on the DL. Brandon Inge will serve as a capable replacement until he gets healthy.

Bullpen: This is Detroit's weakness. Todd Jones reprises his role as one of the weaker closers. Fernando Rodney, the top set-up man is hurt, and no one else is particularly good. Maybe someone will emerge, or maybe they can change Inge into a serviceable reliever.

Predicted Record: 93-69

Cleveland Indians

Rotation: C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee
If Carmona stays healthy, this rotation matches up with anyone. He is an injury risk because of the increase in innings last year. The back of the rotation is solid. Westbrook and Byrd will keep you in most games.

Line-up: C-Victor Martinez
1B-Ryan Garko
2B-Asdrubal Cabrera
SS-Jhonny Peralta
3B-Casey Blake
LF-David Dellucci/Jason Michaels
CF-Grady Sizemore
RF-Franklin Gutierrez
DH-Travis Hafner
This line-up has some weak points. Third base and left field are average at best. When you have Martinez Sizemore and Hafner (assuming he rebounds) you can afford some holes. Cabrera's a rookie, but he should be capable with the bat.

Bullpen: Joe Borowski returns as closer despite being worse than his main set-up man Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt might be the best short reliever in the league. The Indians also have Japanese import Masahide Kobayashi, and they hope he can replicate the success of some of his countrymen who have preceded him.

Predicted Record: 90-73

Chicago White Sox

Rotation: Javier Vazquez, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, Jose Contreras, John Danks
This rotation is average. Vazquez is good, but he's not a real ace. Buerhle is fine in the two hole. Floyd and Danks are young and Contreras is old, so they all have question marks. Floyd and Danks have talent, so this rotation could be good if the White Sox get lucky.

Line-up: C-A.J. Pierzynski
1B-Paul Konerko
2B-Juan Uribe
SS-Orlando Cabrera
3B-Joe Crede
LF-Carlos Quentin
CF-Nick Swisher
RF-Jermaine Dye
DH-Jim Thome
The White Sox have a big question in centerfield. Jerry Owens was the leading candidate to start, pushing Swisher to left. Owens will start the season on the DL though, with a torn muscle. Swisher has played some center, but he'll be really stretched. Other options are former prospect Brian Anderson and Alexei Ramirez. The best offensive alignment is Swisher, but the defensive hit is substantial. The other issue is at third base where Crede might be traded to clear the way for prospect Josh Fields. Another question is age. Konerko, Dye and Thome are all probably due to decline. The additions of Swisher and Cabrera will help off set that.

Bullpen: Bobby Jenks gets the job done as closer. Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink will be capable as set-up men. The bullpen isn't spectacular but it will get the job done.

Predicted Record: 78-84

Minnesota Twins

Rotation: Francisco Liriano, Livan Hernandez, Boof Bonser, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker
Liriano has ace talent. He will probably need some time to finish his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. He could be huge in the second half, or he could blow out his arm again. Hernandez was brought in to add some stability to a young rotation, he's not very good anymore, but he'll throw his innings. The rest of the rotation is young players whose time has come. They all project to be mid-rotation guys, the Twins hope they reach that potential sooner rather than later.

Line-up: C-Joe Mauer
1B-Justin Morneau
2B-Brendan Harris
SS-Adam Everett
3B-Mike Lamb
LF-Delmon Young
CF-Carlos Gomez
RF-Michael Cuddyer
DH-Jason Kubel
The Twins added some talent in the outfield this offseason. Delmon Young has potential to be great, although he's more likely to be pretty good. Gomez's ceiling is lower as a hitter, but he can play centerfield. Cuddyer is decent and Kubel might break out as he gets further from his broken leg. Even if he does, his ceiling is above average. The infield, excluding Morneau, does not hit well. Everett is a glove man, Harris is mediocre, and Lamb is a journeyman. Nick Punto is lurking at second, which would make the offense even worse.

Bullpen: The Twins recently extended Joe Nathan as closer. He's one of the better ones, but he's eating up a lot of payroll right now. They have a lot of quality arms ahead of Nathan. Pat Neshek is a fun side-armer, Matt Guerrier and Juan Rincon should provide quality innings.

Kansas City Royals

Rotation: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke, John Bale, Brett Tomko
Meche and Bannister are quality mid-rotation arms, unfortunately they're at the front of the rotation. Greinke has returned from his problems and he could move to the front of the rotation if he remains healthy.

Line-up: C-John Buck
1B-Ross Gload
2B-Mark Grudzielanek
SS-Tony Pena
3B-Alex Gordon
LF-Mark Teahen
CF-David DeJesus
RF-Jose Guillen
DH-Billy Butler
The Royals hope that Butler and Gordon can break out this year. Butler is limited to DH, but he has a lot of upside with the bat. Gordon is the franchise's best hope to resurrect itself, he could be a difference maker in a few years. They have some other young building blocks with Teahen and DeJesus. They're not stars but they'll produce some decent numbers.

Bullpen: Joakim Soria remains the closer. He's a decent reliever. There's not really much to get excited about here.

Predicted Record: 70-92