RealGM Analysis
The Tigers have won the last three division titles, but their stranglehold on the crown isn't as strong as it when their reign began. The Indians and Royals believe their time is now, while the Twins and White Sox are looking to put disappointing 2013 seasons behind them.
Detroit Tigers
They will ride Miguel Cabrera and their pitching staff once again, but the Tigers did undergo some changes after losing to the Red Sox in the ALCS. Brad Ausmus has replaced longtime manager Jim Leyland, and Ian Kinsler came over from the Rangers in exchange for Prince Fielder. Despite all their experience, they have a stud rookie as well (Nick Castellanos) as they charge toward another fall run.
Key Additions (2013 Stats):
Ian Kinsler: .277/.344/.413 with 13 HRs, 72 RBIs in 614 PAs
Joe Nathan: 1.39 ERA, 0.897 WHIP, 73 Ks in 64.2 IP
Rajai Davis: .260/.312/.375 with 6 HRs, 24 RBIs in 360 PAs
Joba Chamberlain: 4.93 ERA, 1.738 WHIP, 38 Ks in 42 IP
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland didn't make any huge splashes, instead hoping to build on their success in 2013. Terry Francona has a nice mix of veterans and rookies on his roster with Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Carlos Santana and Justin Masterson balancing out the unproven talent that needs to produce for them to threaten the Tigers. The Indians are hoping John Axford will fix the late-inning problems Chris Perez suffered from last season.
Key Additions (2013 Stats):
David Murphy: .220/.282/.374 with 13 HRs, 45 RBIs in 476 PAs
John Axford: 4.02 ERA, 1.523 WHIP, 65 Ks in 65 IP
Shaun Marcum: 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 60 Ks in 78.1 IP
Kansas City Royals
The Royals won 86 games last season, their largest total since 1989 when they won 92 games. It's been nearly 30 years since they made the playoffs, but Ned Yost and his crew have lofty goals. Kansas City had the sixth-lowest ERA (3.45) in baseball last season, but an anemic offense (.694, 21st in OPS) held them back. They actually played well enough to end their postseason drought last year, but a very poor May (8-20) but them in too large a hole. The AL is deep, but playing meaningful games in September aren't out of the question.
Key Additions (2013 Stats):
Jason Vargas: 4.02 ERA, 1.387 WHIP, 109 Ks in 150 IP
Omar Infante: .318/.345/.450 with 10 HRs, 51 RBIs in 476 PAs
Ramon Hernandez: .208/.291/.438 with 3 HRs, 6 RBIs in 55 PAs
Minnesota Twins
After ranking second-to-last in ERA (4.55) last season, the front office placed a premium on fortifying the pitching staff. They signed Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes for a total of $73 million to make up two-fifths of their rotation. They aren't sure-fire solutions, especially Hughes, and the offense wasn't exactly strong either. They have quite a few prospects on the cusp, but the word playoffs won't be whispered for a while.
Key Additions (2013 Stats):
Ricky Nolasco: 3.70 ERA, 1.209 WHIP, 165 Ks in 199.1 IP
Phil Hughes: 5.19 ERA, 1.455 WHIP, 121 Ks in 145.2 IP
Kurt Suzuki: .232/.290/.337 with 5 HRs, 32 RBIs in 316 PAs
Chicago White Sox
Only two teams (Houston, Miami) had fewer wins than the White Sox last season, just a year after they won 85 games and finished just three games back of the Tigers. Jake Peavy, Addison Reed and Adam Dunn were all on the top of their game that season. Peavy and Reed are gone and Dunn, 34, is coming off a .219/.320/.442 season. A youth movement will bring some growing pains, but this rebuild shouldn't take quite as long.
Key Additions (2013 Stats):
Jose Abreu: .322/.527/.735 with 13 HRs, 37 BB in 136
Adam Eaton: .252/.314/.360, 3 HRs, 22 RBIs in 277 PAs
Felipe Paulino: 1.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 39 Ks in 37.2 IP
How We Think They'll Stack Up:
1. Tigers: They aren't as unbeatable as they once were, but the division still belongs in Detroit.
2. Royals: They'll be in the Wild Card race over the season's final week.
3. Indians: The 92 games they won last season are this roster's ceiling.
4. White Sox: Robin Ventura has work to do, but the front office has faith.
5. Twins: Joe Mauer won't be around to benefit from a strong farm system.
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