The AL Central Might As Well Be Called The Pacific Coast League!
There was a buzz in the Whitesox nation eariler today about the possibility of acquiring Ken Griffey Jr for Paul Konerko. Why should the baseball world care? The AL Central could be won by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at this point. My predictions for the final standings are as follows:
1. Whitesox
2. Detroit
3. Twins
4. Royals
5. Indians

My reasoning for the Sox to win the division is simple...Big league hitting. They are still a terrible team but to play as many games in the AL Central as they will would make a star out of players like Estaban Loiza. If the Whitesox dont win the division by at least 15 games it will prove that the league is equally terrible.

The Detroit Tigers are the only team that had any improvement by adding players that had some talent at some point in their careers. Ivan Rodriguez saw dollar signs when he knew he would face pitching like Dan Wright, Jason Stanford, a young Jimmy Gobble, and an old Brad Radke. He will have an outstanding year and i look for he and other aquisitions to make an impact on a worthless 2nd place race.

The Minnesota Twins seem to have not gotten the idea of resigning anyone. Everyday Eddie is in Seattle, Latroy is in Chicago, Milton is close to 100 percent and playing in the NL East, and A.J. is catching for Jason Schmidt. What does this mean? A whole lot of lost talent. They have an up and coming star in Johan Santana but he has yet to play a whole season and Joe Nathan scared the team so much they have been actively trying to acquire a proven closer. There is too much doubt and not enough offense to stop the pitching woes of the Twinkies this year. I look for them to be terrible for their standards.


The Royals have a great possibility to do some damage in the Central. Problem: They are the Kansas City Disabled List! The trainer has his hands full on this team with all the arm injuries to such a young staff. Everyday a new name is added to the hit list. I think that their offense is probably second best in the division but the pitching is worse off than most. At least the Tigers have healthy starters. I look for them, barring further injuries, to be a player in the following season after the new one.

Last but not least, The Indians. They have an outstanding amount of potential with one of the best farm systems in recent years. They are just too young and inexperienced. Pitchers will have to do their homework on up and coming stars such as Jody Gerut (Elmhurst,Il) and Ryan Ludwick. The pitching staff is also going to be pretty good down the road but its just too early for them to do that much that fast. They have a great upside and may end up in a higher place as long as they rid themselves of Milton Bradley and his selfish attitude. We need to see Coco Crisp as an everyday guy!


The AL Central this upcoming season, is the worst division I have seen in my entire life. Expect the teams to be fighting out whom they can trade away at the trade deadline because the Whitesox should run away with this division. All that and I am a Cubbie fan.

John
  ¶ 8:02 PM