Out of all the divisions heading into the 2019 MLB season, the American
League Central may be the biggest disaster.
Heading into the 2019 MLB season, the American League
Central is a unique division compared to most of the league. There is only one
clear cut contending team, yet there are quite a few holes as the Cleveland
Indians did not really do anything to replace those free agents lost. The
Chicago White Sox tried to add, but fell short in their pursuits of Manny
Machado and Bryce Harper. Nonetheless, both they and the Minnesota Twins should
be better this season.
Then we come to the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City
Royals. Both teams are squarely in the midst of attempting to rebuild, although
they are taking different approaches. The Tigers expect the rebuild to last for
a couple more years, while the Royals are looking to contend as soon as
possible.
What does this mean for the division? Instead of having one
team that might run away, as Cleveland did last season, there could be a
grouping of teams floating around the .500 mark for the 2019 MLB season. The
Indians might be the favorites on paper, but that does not mean another 13 game
margin over second place will exist this year.
How will the AL Central shake out this year? Let us move on
to our divisional preview.
5. DETROIT TIGERS
The glory days from the beginning of the decade are long
gone for the Detroit Tigers.
Although they were unable to win the World Series, the
Tigers had one of the best rotations in baseball, and a stellar offense. Then,
the pitching slowly disappeared, traded away or leaving in free agency. The
offense got old, the glory days moving further and further into the past. Yes,
Miguel Cabrera may remain, but he is a shadow of his former self.
Detroit imported the Pirates former double play combination,
Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison, on one year contracts this season. Nick
Castellanos is still on the roster, despite being the subject of trade rumors
all off season. However, the rotation and bullpen are littered with question
marks, especially considering that Matthew Boyd is atop the rotation depth
chart.
For the Tigers, a successful season may need to be measured
differently than normal. If they are able to flip Mercer and Harrison, and
possibly Castellanos, at the trade deadline for prospects, then Detroit will
have gotten what they wanted from those additions. Likewise, if Boyd can continue
to show progress, and Joe Jimenez can seize the closer role, the Tigers could
have a few pieces for the future.
Chances are, the Detroit Tigers are still a few years away
from contending. Right now, it is a matter of finding the pieces needed to
build that contender in the future.
4. KANSAS CITY
ROYALS
Like the Tigers, the Kansas City Royals 2019 MLB season will
be judged on progress.
However, unlike the Tigers, the Royals have several pieces
of that future core in place. Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi are set to
comprise the middle infield for the next four years after Merrifield signed his
extension. Jake Junis and Brad Keller looked like potential options for the
rotation. Ryan O’Hearn impressed during his brief trial late in 2018. Some of
the pieces are there.
Yet, there is also uncertainty. Danny Duffy struggled
mightily last season, and will need to return to form if the Royals hope to be
competitive this year. Salvador Perez may be lost for most, if not all of the
season, taking the face of the franchise away. Alex Gordon is in the final year
of his contract, and has not been the player he was offensively.
Through all the changes, the Royals are attempting to get
back to the team they once were. An emphasis on defense and speed has once
again become the focal point of the organization, as personified by the
addition of Billy Hamilton. The difference is the Royals do not have enough
pieces in the lineup, nor the bullpen, to make that plan work just yet.
The Kansas City Royals are looking to get back to the team
they were. They may be looking to contend in the near future, but the pieces
just are not there right now.
3. CHICAGO WHITE
SOX
The Chicago White Sox did everything they could to get Manny
Machado, including getting family members and friends on the roster. Although
he signed elsewhere, that effort should result in a better performance this
season.
Even though they were not big name signings, the additions
of Yonder Alonso and Jon Jay give the White Sox more depth to the lineup. Jay
has done well at getting on base over his career, while Alonso has developed a
bit of pop since changing his swing to emphasize launch angle. With both of
those players, the White Sox will not need to rely as much on Jose Abreu to
account for the offense.
Likewise, the White Sox bullpen is better. Alex Colome was
acquired in the same trade that netted Alonso, and is likely to serve as the
closer. Kelvin Herrera was signed as a free agent, and should take over the
eighth inning. Jace Fry, the presumed closer of the future, will have a pair of
solid veterans to learn from.
The biggest stumbling block for the White Sox is the
rotation. Ivan Nova is a good innings eater in the back of the rotation, but
Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, and Carlos Rodon need to take steps forward to
push Chicago into contention. Just one of those pitchers taking that step would
not be enough.
The Chicago White Sox have improved. Yet, even in a weak AL
Central, it may not be enough.
2. MINNESOTA TWINS
The Minnesota Twins have followed a pattern over the past
four years. 2015 and 2017 were successful seasons, seeing the team reach the
Wild Card Game and hover around the postseason. However, 2016 and 2018 were
disasters, as the Twins failed to take that expected step forward.
Now, we come to the 2019 MLB season. If recent history
teaches us anything, it is that this will be an unexpectedly solid year for
Minnesota. The Twins have certainly done their part to make that happen, adding
Nelson Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, and Jonathan Schoop to upgrade the offense.
However, if the Twins lineup is to take that step forward,
it will come from a pair of youngsters. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano regressed
in a major way last season, although both players seem more relaxed in Spring
Training. It is hoped that the firing of Paul Molitor will help both players
return to the level they had once displayed, where they appeared to be future
superstars for the franchise.
Likewise, the rotation needs pitchers to take a step
forward. Jose Berrios looked like an ace for the beginning part of 2018 before
taking a step back. Jake Odorizzi has been inconsistent, and Michael Pineda is
coming off Tommy John surgery. If the Twins are going to contend, they need
those pitchers to step up. Or, another addition, such as Dallas Keuchel, would
make a tremendous difference.
If the Minnesota Twins can get enough of their younger
players to take that step forward, it might be enough to contend in 2019. That
odd year magic could happen once again.
1. CLEVELAND
INDIANS
Yes, the Cleveland Indians have plenty of questions heading
into the 2019 MLB season. But it doesn’t matter.
The outfield is a mess, with a presumed starting lineup of
Jordan Luplow, Leonys Martin, and Tyler Naquin from left to right. That could
change, as there had been talk of Carlos Santana seeing time in the outfield,
and newly acquired Jake Bauers can play left as well. Likewise, the bullpen has
lost several members over the last two offseasons, with closer Brad Hand the
only real given in the relief corps.
However, the Indians are still expected to be the class of
the division due to their rotation. For all of the trade rumors, both Corey
Kluber and Trevor Bauer are back. Shane Bieber was a revelation last season,
and may be the best fifth starter in the game.
The Indians are certainly a flawed team. Injuries to the
rotation, or to either Francisco Lindor or Jose Ramirez, could prove
devastating. However, if the Indians remain healthy, and the rotation remains
dominant, they are the team to beat in the AL Central.
No comments:
Post a Comment