Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Minnesota Twins were a play-in game win away from going to the playoffs, but unfortunately lost to the Chicago White Sox. While the White Sox made wholesale changes (Orlando Cabrera, Nick Swisher, etc. are gone), the Twins have virtually the same team, with the addition of third baseman Joe Crede (when was the last time Minnesota had a good third baseman?).
What's not to like about the Twins? For a small-market team, they just get it done.
No doubt they are the team to beat.
They've got team speed (Denard Span, Carlos Gomez), power (first baseman Justin Morneau can flat-out mash), one of the best catchers in the game in Joe Mauer (he better get healthy, however) and great defense with Crede and an outfield that can track down fly balls (Delmon Young, Gomez and Span).
Pitching, I love it. While the Twins aren't a strikeout bunch -- ace lefty Francisco Liriano can mow down hitters at a consistent clip. Remember when everyone was putting Liriano in the Hall of Fame after a breakout rookie season? Then he gets reconstructive surgery and is still working his way back into dominant form. Add Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Glen Perkins in the rotation, and good luck winning many series against these guys.
Closer Joe Nathan is lights-out. Get him a lead in the ninth and it's O-V-E-R. Give credit to manager Ron Gardenhire -- he always has his team ready to play.
I'm still trying to figure out how the Chicago White Sox are suppose to contend? Skinny-dude Alexei Ramirez was huge as a rookie (.290 BA, 21 HRs, 77 RBIs, 13 SBs) and Jermaine Dye is still consistent and Carlos Quentin hits likes he's got a cork in his bat, but who else is legit? Jim Thome and Paul Konerko are aging and declining fast and youngsters Jerry Owens, Josh Fields and Co. have a lot to prove on the MLB level.
Pitching will keep them alive for a while with Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd, plus the pen is solid with closer Bobby Jenks and setup men Octavio Dotel and power lefty Matt Thornton.
Other so-called "experts" are putting the White Sox on a pedestal, but not me. I'm not taking the bait.
Same can be said for the Detroit Tigers. This is a team that makes you scratch your head. They have plus-talent with Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen. Plus they were smart enough to get rid of poor attitude and team cancer Gary Sheffield.
Is there a Dontrelle Willis sighting? Remember when everyone was riding on the back of the D-Train? Yes, that sounds gross and his delivery and performance are equally putrid. Where is No. 1 prospect Rick Porcello?
How many cartons of cigarettes can manager Jim Leyland smoke in the dugout during the year? Only time will tell.
The Cleveland Indians, after Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona (he's got questions surrounding him, too), are a bunch of Triple-A pitchers. Remember when they had CC Sabathia? The Indians add Kerry Wood to close games, but he's going to be pitching in a bunch of non-save situations. Kudos for landing Mr. Utility Mark DeRosa, I love his versatility. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and OF, plus he's an every day starter with some pop. He's my type of player, lot of grit and passion to play. The Indians need Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez to bounce back from injury-plagued 2008 seasons. Center fielder Grady Sizemore is a stud, and SS Jhonny Peralta is consistently solid. But without pitching, the Indians don't have a shot.
At least they're in a better position than the Kansas City Royals. Who's the best on this team? Coco Crisp could make a case for that label. Shortstop Mike Aviles is tops as far as the infield ... so maybe Crisp is the best positional player? If so, yikes. There's no pressure in KC, so Crisp should be fine. How many years did he have a load in his pants in Boston? Starter Zack Greinke should get even better, and closer Joakim Soria is equipped with a flame-thrower.
So who's the best Royal? It's debatable.
PREDICTION
1. Twins
2. White Sox
3. Tigers
4. Indians
5. Royals
(Coming tomorrow: AL West preview by Jim Ingram)
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