5)
In dead last will be the Cleveland Indians. Its hard to believe they almost made it to the World Series in 2007. What a terrible turnaround this team has faced since then. Cleveland had the worst attendance in 2010, they are losing money, and the Indians made literally no moves this offseason to improve this disgraceful team. On top of that, Grady Sizemore can never seem to stay healthy for an entire season. Yet, its not like it would matter, considering there is not much of a team after him in the lineup. Their rotation is young and inexperienced which leaves them finishing last in the AL Central's 2011 final standings.
In dead last will be the Cleveland Indians. Its hard to believe they almost made it to the World Series in 2007. What a terrible turnaround this team has faced since then. Cleveland had the worst attendance in 2010, they are losing money, and the Indians made literally no moves this offseason to improve this disgraceful team. On top of that, Grady Sizemore can never seem to stay healthy for an entire season. Yet, its not like it would matter, considering there is not much of a team after him in the lineup. Their rotation is young and inexperienced which leaves them finishing last in the AL Central's 2011 final standings.4)
There isnt much to say about the Royals except they will be one of the scariest teams in the MLB- in a few years. Kansas City has the second best minor league system behind the Nationals. What outsiders think the Royals need, though is for these "all star potential prospects" to make their way up to the majors this season if they expect to be an above average team. They must NOT do that. The Royals should patient and their time will come. With the loss of Greinke to the Brewers, the Royals have one of the worst pitching rotations in the league. The Kansas City outfield is decent, infield is good, and the hitting is average. However, The pitching is an embarrassing. The hitting, outfield, and infield will eventually come together, but for their pitching to be improved they are going to have to make some moves or at least start focusing a lot more on their pitching prospects in the minors.
There isnt much to say about the Royals except they will be one of the scariest teams in the MLB- in a few years. Kansas City has the second best minor league system behind the Nationals. What outsiders think the Royals need, though is for these "all star potential prospects" to make their way up to the majors this season if they expect to be an above average team. They must NOT do that. The Royals should patient and their time will come. With the loss of Greinke to the Brewers, the Royals have one of the worst pitching rotations in the league. The Kansas City outfield is decent, infield is good, and the hitting is average. However, The pitching is an embarrassing. The hitting, outfield, and infield will eventually come together, but for their pitching to be improved they are going to have to make some moves or at least start focusing a lot more on their pitching prospects in the minors.3)
Looking at this team, I never understood why I choose them as third. But for whatever reason, I just have the feeling the Detroit Tigers are not going to be as good as they are on paper. They added Victor Martinez. The Tigers have potential Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. And on top of that, they have Miguel Cabrera. Detroit does not have many gaps in their hitting, pitching, or fielding, but I see them being a team that starts out very hot, slumps for a while, and finally finishes hot. The slump will kill them, obviously. I fail to believe Cabrera will bring his DUI problems to the field, so there should be no reason he struggles. There always seems to be a team in the MLB that everyone expects to tear the league apart, but struggles severely at one point or another in the season...and the Tigers are that team for me.
Looking at this team, I never understood why I choose them as third. But for whatever reason, I just have the feeling the Detroit Tigers are not going to be as good as they are on paper. They added Victor Martinez. The Tigers have potential Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. And on top of that, they have Miguel Cabrera. Detroit does not have many gaps in their hitting, pitching, or fielding, but I see them being a team that starts out very hot, slumps for a while, and finally finishes hot. The slump will kill them, obviously. I fail to believe Cabrera will bring his DUI problems to the field, so there should be no reason he struggles. There always seems to be a team in the MLB that everyone expects to tear the league apart, but struggles severely at one point or another in the season...and the Tigers are that team for me.2)
If Morneau stays healthy throughout the entire season, the Twins have one of the scariest batting lineups in the entire league. My money says Mauer is going to have another killer year, and will remain the best catcher in all of baseball. Now that they are completely adjusted to their new stadium (not like they needed to) their hitting will be very consistent. The stadium makes a difference because playing in a turf dome in Minnesota, and then switching to an outdoor stadium- in chilly Minnesota, isn't easy. However, outside of the top of the Twins hitting order, Minnesota is below average in the batting department. Joe Nathan will still need to fully recover from his Tommy-John surgery, and Liriano must transform into the ace the Twins once hoped him to be. Their middle infield is awful, with Casilla and Nishioka. Never heard of them? Yeah me neither. But as long as Morneau and Mauer stay healthy the Twins should take second place.
If Morneau stays healthy throughout the entire season, the Twins have one of the scariest batting lineups in the entire league. My money says Mauer is going to have another killer year, and will remain the best catcher in all of baseball. Now that they are completely adjusted to their new stadium (not like they needed to) their hitting will be very consistent. The stadium makes a difference because playing in a turf dome in Minnesota, and then switching to an outdoor stadium- in chilly Minnesota, isn't easy. However, outside of the top of the Twins hitting order, Minnesota is below average in the batting department. Joe Nathan will still need to fully recover from his Tommy-John surgery, and Liriano must transform into the ace the Twins once hoped him to be. Their middle infield is awful, with Casilla and Nishioka. Never heard of them? Yeah me neither. But as long as Morneau and Mauer stay healthy the Twins should take second place.1)
The White Sox will win the AL Central. It will be close, though, and may even come down to the final five games to decide who wins the pennant (the Twins should be right on their heels). The main reason the Sox will win is because their rotation beats out every other one. With Buerhle, Peavy, Floyd, Danks, and Jackson, the Sox pitching rotation is the strong point of the team. Their hitting will be much more improved, especially with the addition of the ever dangerous Adam Dunn. Hopefully for the Sox, Gordon Beckham can start hot and stay hot (unlike last season). Their weakest point (and a potential pennant killer) is their bullpen. Not much needs to be said except the White Sox pen does not have as many big names pitchers as other potential playoff teams, and should have spent more money strengthening their biggest weakness.
The White Sox will win the AL Central. It will be close, though, and may even come down to the final five games to decide who wins the pennant (the Twins should be right on their heels). The main reason the Sox will win is because their rotation beats out every other one. With Buerhle, Peavy, Floyd, Danks, and Jackson, the Sox pitching rotation is the strong point of the team. Their hitting will be much more improved, especially with the addition of the ever dangerous Adam Dunn. Hopefully for the Sox, Gordon Beckham can start hot and stay hot (unlike last season). Their weakest point (and a potential pennant killer) is their bullpen. Not much needs to be said except the White Sox pen does not have as many big names pitchers as other potential playoff teams, and should have spent more money strengthening their biggest weakness.
1 comment:
i agree
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