Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 20, 2021 8:51:41 GMT -5
One of the league's deepest divisions, the AL Central looks to be another dogfight this season with the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox all good enough on paper to capture the crown. Minnesota is in the middle of a promising rebuild, while Cleveland has built a great farm and is a season away from the worst part of its financial hell clearing away. There's a lot of optimism for teams in the division.
1) Kansas City Royals
2025: 90-72, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game:
Who They Were: The Royals had the second best ERA and the second best OPS in the American League last year. 13 players had double-digit doubles, and four starters had at least 3.5 WAR, but they needed a strong final week to make the playoffs. The Royals took three of four from the Tigers and two of three from the Twins the final week of the season to squeak into the Wild Card Game. C.J. Hoover got rocked in the AL Wild Card Game and Kansas City couldn’t move on to the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Kansas City made a number of changes. Relievers Tyler Lyons, Aaron Nola, and James Kaprielian are gone with Jaquan Chassagne and Mark Montgomery replacing them. Quentin Holmes will replace Khalil Lee in the outfield, giving Kansas City a better defensive unit. Joey Young will take over as the team’s Second Baseman, allowing the club to ship Gavin Lux to the Chicago White Sox.
On The Farm: It’s a great staff for pitching. Frank Aguilar, Tom Hedrick, and Mike Gifford are all working through Double A, while Roger Airhart and Jason Wyngarden are in Triple A. All should be up within two years. Jonathan Bakos is a huge Center Field prospect who may be up in 2027. Kansas City has both options for the future as well as chits they can cash in for major league help.
Best Case Scenario: This is a deep, talented team that can win 98 games.
Worst Case Scenario: There’s a lack of star power on the club that can limit the upside. The Royals could end up in a battle for the playoffs with 87 wins.
Key Questions: What role will Taylor Trammel have?
Why did you deal for Quentin Holmes?
2) Detroit Tigers
2025: 92-70, AL Central Champions. Lost to Texas 4-2 in ALDS.
Who They Were: Despite many key players being hurt or having worse seasons that 2024, Detroit managed to capture the AL Central crown for the first time in its history. The team was only 10th on offense, but featured the best pitching staff in the AL. Griffin Canning had an All-Star season to make up for the loss of Carlos Martinez to injury, and Hans Crouse and David Heide were lethal at the back of the bullpen. The team didn’t have the horses for a deep playoff run, but after a long rebuild, winning the division was a wonderful reward for Tigers’ fans.
Offseason Review: The main addition Detroit will make will be Carlos Martinez from injury. The club already had the best ERA in baseball, and that should only improve. A.J. Cole will give them another arm, while Daniel Brito should give the team more offensive juice while also helping improve their infield defense. Detroit lost Yasmani Grandal, but he’s likely a backup at this stage of his career. Dan Vogelbach is gone after his career year, and Anthony Rizzo won’t return after a down 2025 following his strong 2024. It’s likely that 21-year-old prospect Roderick Dalton will take over as the team’s middle of the order thumper.
On The Farm: Dalton headlines the system, though it’s likely he doesn’t begin in the farm. There are strong pitchers in the mid-minors, including a Luis Morales who is destined for stardom with that name, as well as Jamie Harrington and Chase Hancock. Detroit will be able to replenish their staff for years with strong young options. There aren’t many position players in the system, and most of the promising position player talent are deep in the low minors.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is elite, Dalton is productive his rookie year, and Detroit repeats as champions of a tough division.
Worst Case Scenario: Dalton plays like a rookie and the staff takes a step back. A subpar offense brings the team down to 85 and 77.
Key Questions: Your rotation will be pretty settled when Martinez returns, but who will be your number six starter this year?
Are you concerned your offense will struggle if it takes Dalton a season to really hit his potential?
3) Chicago White Sox
2025: 89-73, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: Chicago’s staff wasn’t nearly as good as seasons’ past, nor did they have the supporting cast they usually have. While it seemed like they would head to an underwhelming finish for most of the year, the team surged in the second half and missed the playoffs by one game. By WAR, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi had the best seasons of their career, and Ronald Acuna stepped up as a fine third option. No other player had more than 1.5 WAR however, and the staff was underwhelming.
Offseason Review: Some of Chicago’s underwhelming regulars were left to leave in Free Agency, but Blake Snell was one of their best pitchers and he retired. Chicago may try Luis Contreras in the rotation, and Pat French will likely start which could bolster the rotation. Chicago hopes that Gavin Lux can provide more punch than Ryan Lillard did. Chicago will still need to get more out of their supporting pieces or hope that Devers and Benintendi can reach even higher heights.
On The Farm: Chicago boosted its depth and moved a lot of significant pieces from las year’s club to the minors, so there will be reinforcements at the ready should the White Sox need any. Aside from that, it’s a weak system. Laurente Baffi—AKA Baffi the Barbarian—and his red beard should be able to pillage opposing lineups in a season or two, which could help team with Pat French to form a good one-two punch. Edgar Salinas is one of the better youngsters in the minors, but he’s only 16 and struggled in Short-A ball last year. He’s extremely far away from contributing. Er Ngui tantalizes as a power-hitting Center Fielder, but at 17-years-old, he’s on the Salinas timetable. Everyone else is a reliever or depth piece.
Best Case Scenario: Chicago finds one more player to be a strong offensive player and rides Benintendi, Devers, and an improved defense to AL Central glory.
Worst Case Scenario: Devers and Benintendi have normal Platinum Stick Award-caliber seasons and not MVP-caliber seasons and the supporting cast fails them once again.
Key Questions: Do you feel your lineup has enough juice to support Benintendi and Devers?
Luis Contreras was one of the league’s dominant closers the past few seasons. Do you feel he’d be better served in the rotation?
4) Minnesota Twins
2025: 62-100, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: After barely missing the playoffs in 2024, Minnesota collapsed last season, culminating in the trade of superstar Wessel Russchen after just 241 regular season games with the franchise. The Twins gave three-quarters of a season’s worth of at bats to Dalton Rone and watched him hit .197/.296/.244. Catcher Edilberto Mendoza was even worse with a .535 OPS. The club had a decent staff, but the bullpen wasn’t adequate. Thanks to the team struggling in May and June despite a strong April, the team went in a rebuilding direction a season-and-a-half after winning the 2023 World Series.
Offseason Review: Nick Kingham left in Free Agency and thanks to a long managerial search, the Twins didn’t have the ability to do much this offseason. Many of the same underwhelming players remaining after last trade deadline’s major deals will carry much of the responsibility for the 2026 Twins season.
On The Farm: The Twins have a decent system thanks to the Russchen trade, though most of their prospects are still in the mid-minors. Unlike many rebuilding teams, Minnesota’s prospects are more on the position player side than the pitching side. Gabe Bonilla is the standout as a speedy Center Fielder who can hit, while Jody Magnone has a weird profile as a First Baseman with a plus hit tool and quick bat, but little power. Tabon Ohan should be able to field and walk, but his bat is a question mark even at Shortstop. On the pitching side, Antonio Vasquez could become an ace, but we won’t know for at least five years.
Best Case Scenario: A decent staff leads the Twins to 72 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Twins develop another top five player and trade him for prospects.
Key Questions: Will Ignacio Tonche start the season for you in the majors and get more seasoning in the minors?
Who will be your club’s fifth starter?
5) Cleveland Indians
2025: 72-90, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Cleveland got off to a great start and remained competitive until the summer. It was largely smoke and mirrors though, as they finished 10 games better than their expected record and had the worst offense in the league. They did determine that former 28th round draft pick, Luis Esparza, could in fact anchor a rotation. Otherwise, it was another year for Cleveland to wait out the financial sins of the prior regime.
Offseason Review: The team flipped reliever Jaquan Chassagne to Kansas City for a pair of prospects, as the team doesn’t need relievers as much as it needs talent at other positions. Cleveland didn’t do much else though and will continue to churn through its 40-man to find players that could work long time. Some bad contracts come off the books after this year, and the team gets a reprieve from all the dead money on its balance sheet after this year as well.
On The Farm: Cleveland now has the top system in baseball. Four Eyes Luis Retana is MLB’s number one prospects, and comparisons to Francisco Lindor abound. He may start the season in Cleveland. Chad Simon could be an ace if he develops his changeup, or he could be a closer if he doesn’t. Thomas Mitchem, Josh Hagey and The Ape, Pablo Montiel, could all be mid-rotation arms in 2027. There are middle infield options working in the upper minors and Juan Aguilar looks like their future Catcher and should debut next season.
Best Case Scenario: The team discovers Esparza, who pitched well in the WBC, has another gear.
Worst Case Scenario: The team underperforms its expected record by 10 games.
Key Questions: Will Retana be up this season or will you hold back the clock on him?
You claimed Ernesto Adames on waivers last year. What do you like about the outfielder?
1) Kansas City Royals
2025: 90-72, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game:
Who They Were: The Royals had the second best ERA and the second best OPS in the American League last year. 13 players had double-digit doubles, and four starters had at least 3.5 WAR, but they needed a strong final week to make the playoffs. The Royals took three of four from the Tigers and two of three from the Twins the final week of the season to squeak into the Wild Card Game. C.J. Hoover got rocked in the AL Wild Card Game and Kansas City couldn’t move on to the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Kansas City made a number of changes. Relievers Tyler Lyons, Aaron Nola, and James Kaprielian are gone with Jaquan Chassagne and Mark Montgomery replacing them. Quentin Holmes will replace Khalil Lee in the outfield, giving Kansas City a better defensive unit. Joey Young will take over as the team’s Second Baseman, allowing the club to ship Gavin Lux to the Chicago White Sox.
On The Farm: It’s a great staff for pitching. Frank Aguilar, Tom Hedrick, and Mike Gifford are all working through Double A, while Roger Airhart and Jason Wyngarden are in Triple A. All should be up within two years. Jonathan Bakos is a huge Center Field prospect who may be up in 2027. Kansas City has both options for the future as well as chits they can cash in for major league help.
Best Case Scenario: This is a deep, talented team that can win 98 games.
Worst Case Scenario: There’s a lack of star power on the club that can limit the upside. The Royals could end up in a battle for the playoffs with 87 wins.
Key Questions: What role will Taylor Trammel have?
Why did you deal for Quentin Holmes?
2) Detroit Tigers
2025: 92-70, AL Central Champions. Lost to Texas 4-2 in ALDS.
Who They Were: Despite many key players being hurt or having worse seasons that 2024, Detroit managed to capture the AL Central crown for the first time in its history. The team was only 10th on offense, but featured the best pitching staff in the AL. Griffin Canning had an All-Star season to make up for the loss of Carlos Martinez to injury, and Hans Crouse and David Heide were lethal at the back of the bullpen. The team didn’t have the horses for a deep playoff run, but after a long rebuild, winning the division was a wonderful reward for Tigers’ fans.
Offseason Review: The main addition Detroit will make will be Carlos Martinez from injury. The club already had the best ERA in baseball, and that should only improve. A.J. Cole will give them another arm, while Daniel Brito should give the team more offensive juice while also helping improve their infield defense. Detroit lost Yasmani Grandal, but he’s likely a backup at this stage of his career. Dan Vogelbach is gone after his career year, and Anthony Rizzo won’t return after a down 2025 following his strong 2024. It’s likely that 21-year-old prospect Roderick Dalton will take over as the team’s middle of the order thumper.
On The Farm: Dalton headlines the system, though it’s likely he doesn’t begin in the farm. There are strong pitchers in the mid-minors, including a Luis Morales who is destined for stardom with that name, as well as Jamie Harrington and Chase Hancock. Detroit will be able to replenish their staff for years with strong young options. There aren’t many position players in the system, and most of the promising position player talent are deep in the low minors.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is elite, Dalton is productive his rookie year, and Detroit repeats as champions of a tough division.
Worst Case Scenario: Dalton plays like a rookie and the staff takes a step back. A subpar offense brings the team down to 85 and 77.
Key Questions: Your rotation will be pretty settled when Martinez returns, but who will be your number six starter this year?
Are you concerned your offense will struggle if it takes Dalton a season to really hit his potential?
3) Chicago White Sox
2025: 89-73, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: Chicago’s staff wasn’t nearly as good as seasons’ past, nor did they have the supporting cast they usually have. While it seemed like they would head to an underwhelming finish for most of the year, the team surged in the second half and missed the playoffs by one game. By WAR, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi had the best seasons of their career, and Ronald Acuna stepped up as a fine third option. No other player had more than 1.5 WAR however, and the staff was underwhelming.
Offseason Review: Some of Chicago’s underwhelming regulars were left to leave in Free Agency, but Blake Snell was one of their best pitchers and he retired. Chicago may try Luis Contreras in the rotation, and Pat French will likely start which could bolster the rotation. Chicago hopes that Gavin Lux can provide more punch than Ryan Lillard did. Chicago will still need to get more out of their supporting pieces or hope that Devers and Benintendi can reach even higher heights.
On The Farm: Chicago boosted its depth and moved a lot of significant pieces from las year’s club to the minors, so there will be reinforcements at the ready should the White Sox need any. Aside from that, it’s a weak system. Laurente Baffi—AKA Baffi the Barbarian—and his red beard should be able to pillage opposing lineups in a season or two, which could help team with Pat French to form a good one-two punch. Edgar Salinas is one of the better youngsters in the minors, but he’s only 16 and struggled in Short-A ball last year. He’s extremely far away from contributing. Er Ngui tantalizes as a power-hitting Center Fielder, but at 17-years-old, he’s on the Salinas timetable. Everyone else is a reliever or depth piece.
Best Case Scenario: Chicago finds one more player to be a strong offensive player and rides Benintendi, Devers, and an improved defense to AL Central glory.
Worst Case Scenario: Devers and Benintendi have normal Platinum Stick Award-caliber seasons and not MVP-caliber seasons and the supporting cast fails them once again.
Key Questions: Do you feel your lineup has enough juice to support Benintendi and Devers?
Luis Contreras was one of the league’s dominant closers the past few seasons. Do you feel he’d be better served in the rotation?
4) Minnesota Twins
2025: 62-100, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: After barely missing the playoffs in 2024, Minnesota collapsed last season, culminating in the trade of superstar Wessel Russchen after just 241 regular season games with the franchise. The Twins gave three-quarters of a season’s worth of at bats to Dalton Rone and watched him hit .197/.296/.244. Catcher Edilberto Mendoza was even worse with a .535 OPS. The club had a decent staff, but the bullpen wasn’t adequate. Thanks to the team struggling in May and June despite a strong April, the team went in a rebuilding direction a season-and-a-half after winning the 2023 World Series.
Offseason Review: Nick Kingham left in Free Agency and thanks to a long managerial search, the Twins didn’t have the ability to do much this offseason. Many of the same underwhelming players remaining after last trade deadline’s major deals will carry much of the responsibility for the 2026 Twins season.
On The Farm: The Twins have a decent system thanks to the Russchen trade, though most of their prospects are still in the mid-minors. Unlike many rebuilding teams, Minnesota’s prospects are more on the position player side than the pitching side. Gabe Bonilla is the standout as a speedy Center Fielder who can hit, while Jody Magnone has a weird profile as a First Baseman with a plus hit tool and quick bat, but little power. Tabon Ohan should be able to field and walk, but his bat is a question mark even at Shortstop. On the pitching side, Antonio Vasquez could become an ace, but we won’t know for at least five years.
Best Case Scenario: A decent staff leads the Twins to 72 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Twins develop another top five player and trade him for prospects.
Key Questions: Will Ignacio Tonche start the season for you in the majors and get more seasoning in the minors?
Who will be your club’s fifth starter?
5) Cleveland Indians
2025: 72-90, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Cleveland got off to a great start and remained competitive until the summer. It was largely smoke and mirrors though, as they finished 10 games better than their expected record and had the worst offense in the league. They did determine that former 28th round draft pick, Luis Esparza, could in fact anchor a rotation. Otherwise, it was another year for Cleveland to wait out the financial sins of the prior regime.
Offseason Review: The team flipped reliever Jaquan Chassagne to Kansas City for a pair of prospects, as the team doesn’t need relievers as much as it needs talent at other positions. Cleveland didn’t do much else though and will continue to churn through its 40-man to find players that could work long time. Some bad contracts come off the books after this year, and the team gets a reprieve from all the dead money on its balance sheet after this year as well.
On The Farm: Cleveland now has the top system in baseball. Four Eyes Luis Retana is MLB’s number one prospects, and comparisons to Francisco Lindor abound. He may start the season in Cleveland. Chad Simon could be an ace if he develops his changeup, or he could be a closer if he doesn’t. Thomas Mitchem, Josh Hagey and The Ape, Pablo Montiel, could all be mid-rotation arms in 2027. There are middle infield options working in the upper minors and Juan Aguilar looks like their future Catcher and should debut next season.
Best Case Scenario: The team discovers Esparza, who pitched well in the WBC, has another gear.
Worst Case Scenario: The team underperforms its expected record by 10 games.
Key Questions: Will Retana be up this season or will you hold back the clock on him?
You claimed Ernesto Adames on waivers last year. What do you like about the outfielder?
