2008 MLB Preview: AL Central

This is the division nearest and dearest to my (and a few of our other writers') heart. And its loaded. The top teams are some of the best in either league, and the bottom teams aren't even really bad, just cursed with being in a tough division. I don't know if its statistically possible, but I would venture that no team here will finish below .500. As for my predicted finish:

Cleveland Indians

Key Additions: Masahide Kobayashi

Key Subtractions: Kenny Loften

Player to Watch: Travis Hafner. The Indians advanced to within 1 game of the World Series last year (didn't pan out so well for them). And they did it in a year where one of their best pure hitters, Hafner, had an off year. This is a dangerous team once they start getting some hitting from Pronk.

What Could Go Wrong: Close games. Browoski, the closer, made sure that Cleveland fans couldn't go to sleep unless they were up a lot. He lead the AL with 45 saves last year, but also amassed a 5.07 ERA. They got some help this year with hot dog eater badass reliever Kobayashi, and Betancourt is already probably a better closing option that Browoski, but as long as he is in that role, teams will have a full nine innings to beat them.

Prediction: The pitching staff may have peaked last year (is Fausto Carmona really that good?), but this team is loaded everywhere. Another visit to the precipice of the World Series is not out of the question.

Detroit Tigers

Key Additions: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Edgar Rentaria, Jacque Jones

Key Subtractions: Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin

Player to Watch: The whole lineup. These guys can seriously hit. Their projected line up has 5 2007 All Stars. Another 2 of them hit .302 and .332. Their only weakness is Jacque Jones in the nine hole. They 3 and 4 guys are both MVP candidates. What this lineup can do is sick.

What Can Go Wrong: Bullpen. They have a shaky closer not unlike the aforementioned Indians. But they differ from the Indians in that they don't have much in the role of set-up as well. Joel Zumaya wowed everyone in the playoffs two years ago with his 100+ MPH pitches. He then suffered a Guitar Hero injury (no joke) and recently got hurt moving boxes from a house that was about to be burned down in the San Diego fires last year. America eagerly awaits his next hilarious injury. Their other set-up man Fernando Rodney is starting the season the DL, not a good sign.

Predictions: This division will be neck and neck the whole summer. With the Tigers scoring 12 runs a game, giving up a few to the bullpen won't matter too much. Another run to the World Series is a very real possibility. Leyland should start practicing defense with his pitchers now.

Minnesota Twins

Key Additions: Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez, Livan Hernandez, Branden Harris

Key Subtractions: sigh

Player to Watch: Francisco Liriano. Remember his rookie year? The dude statistics were INSANE. In 16 starts he was 12-3 with 144 strike outs. He then threw out his arm and had to have Tommy John surgery, causing me numerous nights of crying myself to sleep. He returns this year, and who knows what could happen. To ease my concerns, I give you a list of successful pitchers who overcame Tommy John Surgery: John Smotlz, Kenny Rogers, Dustin McGowan, Eric Gagne, AJ Burnett, Erik Bedard, Rod Beck, amongst others. The Twins season and/or future rests on Liriano's surgically repaired arm.

What Could Go Wrong: Youth. This team is real young. The have an outfield that will be considered stacked in a few years. The pitching staff has about 3 years of professional experience (not counting Livan Hernandez who is just on the team for the health insurance) combined. They will be good, but probably not this year.

Predictions: More tears from me. This team will show flashes of potential, but most of the season will be growing pains.

Chicago White Sox

Key Additions: Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Octavio Dotel, Carlos Quentin

Key Subtractions: Scott Podsednik, Jon Garland

Player To Watch: Nick Swisher. He was finally just sort of reaching the potential of being really good when Oakland traded him. Now the White Sox have the advantage of getting a good hitter with the extra incentive to give Billy Beane 2 middle fingers for trading him for a poo poo platter of prospects. Swisher is breaking out big time this year.

What Could Go Wrong: Pitching. In 2005 when the White Sox won the World Series, it was due to the pitching. Everything was going right on that staff. Everyone they threw out there was having a career year. Now that seems like the distant past. I mean, they have Gavin Floyd in their starting rotation. Yeah.

Prediction: If everything clicks again, this team could be very good. But it would really take a miracle for them to compete with the Tigers and Indians this year.

Kansas City Royals

Key Additions: Jose Guillan and a dude named Yasuhiko Yabuta

Key Subtractions: David Riske

Player to Watch: Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. Someday Butler will be easily hitting .320 each year. Sadly, it will be for the Yankees or Red Sox, but still. In his first year in the bigs, he has already had a fantastic summer and will continue mashing when the season starts. Gordon was supposed to do everything I just said about Butler last year. He had some growing pains but ended the season really well. Now that he knows how to handle being in The Show (and being the team's main attraction). Break out season for both.

Predictions: The good thing about playing for the Royals, is the low expectations. Fans just want to see something to cheer about. With a young core of Butler and Gordan, some young pitching (Bannister came out of no where last year), and a general manager who seems borderline competent, the season will still look like a failure in the W-L column, but fans will be pleased with what they see.