2014 AL Central Preview – Brad Beneke

The Tigers saved themselves a lot of money, and created a great deal of flexibility in their lineup by trading Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler. It doesn’t hurt having the easiest division in the majors, and maybe in all of professional sports short of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The problem with Detroit is that they have no competition. Over the last few years seem to just go into cruise control instead of in for the kill.

The Royals are finally going to be above .500 and no one is going to notice because most of America hasn’t realized they existed since George Brett retired. They quietly have built a very solid pitching rotation along with some very nice bats, good speed, and good defense. They are young enough that they could win 90 games, but that youth also means no one would be surprised if they lost 90 games.

The Indians have the best manager in the division, and two of the most underrated players in Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis, but they also have a substandard bullpen and they lost 40 percent of their starting rotation. It’s true that the kids they have coming up have a lot of potential, but no one can rely on kids and expect the world without also preparing for heartbreak. Cleveland is the city of heartbreak.

The White Sox are a tough team to not put in last place. Player for player, the Twins have a better team than the White Sox. However, the not so mighty Whities have Chris Sale and a top flight short stop, while they are not weighted down by three things that will kill any franchise: Ron Gardenhire, Terry Ryan, and Joe Mauer

Minnesota simultaneously did a lot and did next to nothing to improve. Welcome to the sweet suffering of hell that is being a Twins fan. It’s true they spent $80 million-plus over the next few seasons to acquire three starting pitchers, but it’s safe to say that those are most likely the wrong three pitchers. Sadly, even if they were the right three pitchers … with Ron Gardenhire as manager and Rick Anderson as a pitching coach … they could ruin anything. They had the worst rotation in baseball last year with a top flight relief staff. I do see the starters improving this year, but not enough to be “good.” There is almost no way that the pen is as good as last year. They didn’t do anything to improve the offense. And again, the lack of leadership – until Gardenhire retires or is fired this team will not see .500 and that’s with some of the best young talent in all of baseball just waiting in the minors.

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