Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 16, 2022 10:27:36 GMT -5
The Al Central was supposed to be a potential three team race in 2028, with two teams competitive behind the three contenders. It didn't work out that way. Kansas City and Cleveland battled until the end of the year for the division crown, but Chicago wasn't as competitive as expected, and Detroit suffered a ghoulish campaign that had them finishing in last after a playoff berth the year before. Kansas City and Cleveland remain the class of the division and a cut ahead of where they were last year, which should make for an exciting 2029.
1) Cleveland Indians
2028: 87-65, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: Cleveland had pitching, defense, and star power in 2028. Despite allowing the most homers in the AL, Cleveland was second in starters’ ERA, first in strikeouts, and fourth in runs allowed. They had the best zone rating in the league as well, and Bryce Harper, Austin Meadoes, and Luis Retana all had either 5.1 or 5.2 WAR seasons. An ill-timed Josh Woodward suspension doomed them in the Wild Card Game.
Offseason Review: Cleveland lost Meadows to free agency, and didn’t make too many moves, signing Derwuin Marchan and Juan Alvarado as depth arms and Addison Russell as a big bat. The team’s stock of young aces should be fully matured, so internal improvement should make the staff even better. Ernesto Adames will play more outfield and Russell should serve as the team’s DH after a season on ice.
On The Farm: Oil Can Evans is about a year away from claiming an outfield spot. He’s a 6-2 Wake Forest alum with a big bat, a big arm, and big wheels. He represents the last of Cleveland’s major draft and development push of the middle of the decade. Cleveland is still active in international scouting and have a few blue-chip pieces in their international complex if they want to move them for a PBA player, or have reinforcements in half a decade.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching comes together and the team holds off Kansas City to make the ALDS.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland continues to take late-season swings on the field and not the batter box.
Key Questions: Your prospects are all mostly fully developed. Which five arms will you roll out with for your rotation?
Your team will play some players who are defense first and DH some bat-first guys. Why not bring back Austin Meadows, who is a two-way player?
2) Kansas City Royals
2028: 102-60, AL Central Champions. Defeated Seattle 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to Toronto 4-3 in ALCS
Who They Were: Daniel Kent continued to perfect his approach as Kansas City continued to win in the regular season and the playoffs. They won 90+ games for the seventh consecutive season and were a win away from the World Series. Harland Guenette had an outrageous season, hitting .333 with 56 doubles and walking more than he struck out. T.J. Zeuch gave the team an ace to add to their deep stable of mid-rotation arms, and Vincente Corado flashed ace upside, including when he fired a no-hitter in early June. If not for getting stuck facing their arch-nemesis, they would have been in the World Series.
Offseason Review: The Royals continued to add elite talent. Power hitting, smooth fielding Ivan Johnson fits Kansas City’s modus operandi to a tee and gives Kansas City so much infield depth. Ryan Beyer is another elite arm that pushes everyone down the pecking order. It could be Kansas City’s deepest team in its history.
On The Farm: The Royals have a very good farm for what has been a successful major league club. They have a trio of elite teenagers in the system, and while Alex Munoz and Sergio Morales need development time, Michel Laffont may only need two more seasons before being a contributor in the rotation. Kyle Sidebottom is ready to help the team now, though he may start the year in the minors until he’s needed. There’s good pitching and First Base depth in the upper minors as well.
Best Case Scenario: This team can certainly win a title and comfortably too.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland takes the division relegating Kansas City to the Wild Card Game and, by god, that’s Toronto’s music!
Key Questions: What went into your decision to trade for Ryan Beyer?
Brendan Tinsmann will be your sole starting Catcher this year, no platoon with Blake Hunt. Do you feel Jorge Parra is ready for a backup role?
3) Minnesota Twins
2028: 79-83, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins didn’t have a lot of depth, but they had Gabe Bonilla who had a season for the ages. Bonilla had a .337 average, 44 home runs, 115 RBIs, 10 Triples, 124 runs scored, and 20 steals. As a plus Center Fielder, he was worth 10.7 WAR as the AL MVP—as a rookie. Only 24, the sky is the limit for the youngster. The Twins also got 29 homers from Shortstop Ignacio Tonche , while top two pitchers Jeff Burton and Jeff Payton combined for 7.3 WAR. The team didn’t have a lot surrounding those players, but the young stars delivered.
Offseason Review: The Twins didn’t make a single substantial move this offseason, as they’ll look to improve based on internal growth. Jose Guerra is a big time pitching prospect and should get a start every fifth day. The offense should be the same it was last year. There are veterans on the team, so it shouldn’t be a case of guaranteed team improvement based on youth.
On The Farm: There are a lot of good pitchers in the system and older prospects too, but still ones that need too much development to be ready quickly. Mincho Maeda is an excellent prospect, but he hasn’t pitched above A-ball yet. Notorious Bill Romero is more developed, but is still a year away from being an arm who can consistently win against the best hitters. Bryan Bush may always struggle with control, but he needs another year before he stops struggling with homers too, while Ricky Burkholder is a year away from developing enough of a slider and changeup for his high 90s hard stuff to best hitters. The Twins are lighter on position player prospects and may need to balance the roster when the prospects reach maturity.
Best Case Scenario: Bonilla remains a star and the Twins get a little bit more from the supporting cast to reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: Bonilla comes back to earth a little and the offense really struggles to a 90-loss season.
Key Questions: You didn’t make any moves this offseason, maintaining the same roster from last year. Why did you stand pat with your roster?
You have a lot of good young pitchers in the majors and more in the mid-minors. Are you concerned your best prospect alignment is so pitching skewed?
4) Chicago White Sox
2028: 69-93, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Rafael Devers only played in 127 games, Andrew Benintendi only appeared in 105, and with their two pillars missing big chunks of time, Chicago lost 93 games. The offense was respectable without the two stars—minus Brendan McKay’s .188 average, 12 homer, -1.7 WAR season—but the pitching, long a disaster, was second worst in runs allowed.
Offseason Review: Chicago didn’t make a single move this offseason as they try to let their bad contracts expire. Their biggest move was giving Ronald Acuna a Qualifying Offer which he easily accepted, eating the team’s budget room.
On The Farm: Chicago is finally developing its farm, though the fruits of the farm won’t be ready for some time. It’s pitching heavy, with four Top 100 pitching prospects, but two are teenagers who will need a while to season. 24-year-old Jon DeCosta is a third pitching prospect, and the lefty has huge stuff, but he still needs to home his command and control. He just turned 24 though, so the clock is starting to tick. Mike Juarez is the fourth prospect, and at 22, he has a little more time. His sinker is advanced and he’s had success in Triple-A, but still needs more control to make the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Benintendi and Devers turn back the clock, Baffi the Barbarian pitches like an ace, and Chicago finishes in third place.
Worst Case Scenario: This is a 100-loss outfit if Benintendi and Devers take a step back. Injuries are already hitting the club hard, and the team lacks depth.
Key Questions: How do you plan on rebuilding this once ferocious franchise?
Why did you extend a Qualifying Offer to Ronald Acuna, knowing it was unlikely another team would give him a contract if it would cost them a draft pick?
5) Detroit Tigers
2028: 65-97, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: A huge disappointment, despite finishing sixth in ERA in 2027, Detroit finished dead last in 2028. Despite Roderick Dalton’s brilliance, the offense couldn’t compensate, finishing ninth. No pitcher who started most of their games had an ERA under 4.68 with Kevin Gaulke holding that honor. Carlos Martinez was hurt and had a 4.94 ERA. Gregory Reinoso went 9-17 with a 6.10 ERA. Griffin Canning went 2-9 with a 5.29 ERA. Asa Lacy had a 7.02 mark. With pitching like that, Detroit didn’t have a chance.
Offseason Review: Detroit brought in Jeter Downs and Aramis Ademan to replace the departing Nick Gordon, and Blake Hunt to be Catcher. Luis Zapien has departed, and a few of the better relievers have moved on. Jimmy Whittaker was brought in to help the staff.
On The Farm: Detroit has been very active on the scouting front, with a number of high-end prospects in their international complex. Marty Parham should start the year in Triple-A but could be a starting Second Baseman by years end, and Cesar Pastrano should break with the team for the start of the season as a member of the club’s rotation. Cory Ferguson could be the team’s starting Catcher in a few years time.
Best Case Scenario: Detroit’s staff isn’t inexplicably the worst in the American League again and the team finishes third in the division.
Worst Case Scenario: It’s an older team, so the best players could drop off. If the pitching wasn’t a fluke, Detroit could lose 100 games.
Key Questions: You didn’t make many changes to a league-worst pitching staff. Why didn’t you overhaul the unit?
When Brice Turang is healthy, what role will he have on the team?
1) Cleveland Indians
2028: 87-65, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Toronto in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: Cleveland had pitching, defense, and star power in 2028. Despite allowing the most homers in the AL, Cleveland was second in starters’ ERA, first in strikeouts, and fourth in runs allowed. They had the best zone rating in the league as well, and Bryce Harper, Austin Meadoes, and Luis Retana all had either 5.1 or 5.2 WAR seasons. An ill-timed Josh Woodward suspension doomed them in the Wild Card Game.
Offseason Review: Cleveland lost Meadows to free agency, and didn’t make too many moves, signing Derwuin Marchan and Juan Alvarado as depth arms and Addison Russell as a big bat. The team’s stock of young aces should be fully matured, so internal improvement should make the staff even better. Ernesto Adames will play more outfield and Russell should serve as the team’s DH after a season on ice.
On The Farm: Oil Can Evans is about a year away from claiming an outfield spot. He’s a 6-2 Wake Forest alum with a big bat, a big arm, and big wheels. He represents the last of Cleveland’s major draft and development push of the middle of the decade. Cleveland is still active in international scouting and have a few blue-chip pieces in their international complex if they want to move them for a PBA player, or have reinforcements in half a decade.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching comes together and the team holds off Kansas City to make the ALDS.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland continues to take late-season swings on the field and not the batter box.
Key Questions: Your prospects are all mostly fully developed. Which five arms will you roll out with for your rotation?
Your team will play some players who are defense first and DH some bat-first guys. Why not bring back Austin Meadows, who is a two-way player?
2) Kansas City Royals
2028: 102-60, AL Central Champions. Defeated Seattle 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to Toronto 4-3 in ALCS
Who They Were: Daniel Kent continued to perfect his approach as Kansas City continued to win in the regular season and the playoffs. They won 90+ games for the seventh consecutive season and were a win away from the World Series. Harland Guenette had an outrageous season, hitting .333 with 56 doubles and walking more than he struck out. T.J. Zeuch gave the team an ace to add to their deep stable of mid-rotation arms, and Vincente Corado flashed ace upside, including when he fired a no-hitter in early June. If not for getting stuck facing their arch-nemesis, they would have been in the World Series.
Offseason Review: The Royals continued to add elite talent. Power hitting, smooth fielding Ivan Johnson fits Kansas City’s modus operandi to a tee and gives Kansas City so much infield depth. Ryan Beyer is another elite arm that pushes everyone down the pecking order. It could be Kansas City’s deepest team in its history.
On The Farm: The Royals have a very good farm for what has been a successful major league club. They have a trio of elite teenagers in the system, and while Alex Munoz and Sergio Morales need development time, Michel Laffont may only need two more seasons before being a contributor in the rotation. Kyle Sidebottom is ready to help the team now, though he may start the year in the minors until he’s needed. There’s good pitching and First Base depth in the upper minors as well.
Best Case Scenario: This team can certainly win a title and comfortably too.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland takes the division relegating Kansas City to the Wild Card Game and, by god, that’s Toronto’s music!
Key Questions: What went into your decision to trade for Ryan Beyer?
Brendan Tinsmann will be your sole starting Catcher this year, no platoon with Blake Hunt. Do you feel Jorge Parra is ready for a backup role?
3) Minnesota Twins
2028: 79-83, 3rd Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins didn’t have a lot of depth, but they had Gabe Bonilla who had a season for the ages. Bonilla had a .337 average, 44 home runs, 115 RBIs, 10 Triples, 124 runs scored, and 20 steals. As a plus Center Fielder, he was worth 10.7 WAR as the AL MVP—as a rookie. Only 24, the sky is the limit for the youngster. The Twins also got 29 homers from Shortstop Ignacio Tonche , while top two pitchers Jeff Burton and Jeff Payton combined for 7.3 WAR. The team didn’t have a lot surrounding those players, but the young stars delivered.
Offseason Review: The Twins didn’t make a single substantial move this offseason, as they’ll look to improve based on internal growth. Jose Guerra is a big time pitching prospect and should get a start every fifth day. The offense should be the same it was last year. There are veterans on the team, so it shouldn’t be a case of guaranteed team improvement based on youth.
On The Farm: There are a lot of good pitchers in the system and older prospects too, but still ones that need too much development to be ready quickly. Mincho Maeda is an excellent prospect, but he hasn’t pitched above A-ball yet. Notorious Bill Romero is more developed, but is still a year away from being an arm who can consistently win against the best hitters. Bryan Bush may always struggle with control, but he needs another year before he stops struggling with homers too, while Ricky Burkholder is a year away from developing enough of a slider and changeup for his high 90s hard stuff to best hitters. The Twins are lighter on position player prospects and may need to balance the roster when the prospects reach maturity.
Best Case Scenario: Bonilla remains a star and the Twins get a little bit more from the supporting cast to reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: Bonilla comes back to earth a little and the offense really struggles to a 90-loss season.
Key Questions: You didn’t make any moves this offseason, maintaining the same roster from last year. Why did you stand pat with your roster?
You have a lot of good young pitchers in the majors and more in the mid-minors. Are you concerned your best prospect alignment is so pitching skewed?
4) Chicago White Sox
2028: 69-93, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: Rafael Devers only played in 127 games, Andrew Benintendi only appeared in 105, and with their two pillars missing big chunks of time, Chicago lost 93 games. The offense was respectable without the two stars—minus Brendan McKay’s .188 average, 12 homer, -1.7 WAR season—but the pitching, long a disaster, was second worst in runs allowed.
Offseason Review: Chicago didn’t make a single move this offseason as they try to let their bad contracts expire. Their biggest move was giving Ronald Acuna a Qualifying Offer which he easily accepted, eating the team’s budget room.
On The Farm: Chicago is finally developing its farm, though the fruits of the farm won’t be ready for some time. It’s pitching heavy, with four Top 100 pitching prospects, but two are teenagers who will need a while to season. 24-year-old Jon DeCosta is a third pitching prospect, and the lefty has huge stuff, but he still needs to home his command and control. He just turned 24 though, so the clock is starting to tick. Mike Juarez is the fourth prospect, and at 22, he has a little more time. His sinker is advanced and he’s had success in Triple-A, but still needs more control to make the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Benintendi and Devers turn back the clock, Baffi the Barbarian pitches like an ace, and Chicago finishes in third place.
Worst Case Scenario: This is a 100-loss outfit if Benintendi and Devers take a step back. Injuries are already hitting the club hard, and the team lacks depth.
Key Questions: How do you plan on rebuilding this once ferocious franchise?
Why did you extend a Qualifying Offer to Ronald Acuna, knowing it was unlikely another team would give him a contract if it would cost them a draft pick?
5) Detroit Tigers
2028: 65-97, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: A huge disappointment, despite finishing sixth in ERA in 2027, Detroit finished dead last in 2028. Despite Roderick Dalton’s brilliance, the offense couldn’t compensate, finishing ninth. No pitcher who started most of their games had an ERA under 4.68 with Kevin Gaulke holding that honor. Carlos Martinez was hurt and had a 4.94 ERA. Gregory Reinoso went 9-17 with a 6.10 ERA. Griffin Canning went 2-9 with a 5.29 ERA. Asa Lacy had a 7.02 mark. With pitching like that, Detroit didn’t have a chance.
Offseason Review: Detroit brought in Jeter Downs and Aramis Ademan to replace the departing Nick Gordon, and Blake Hunt to be Catcher. Luis Zapien has departed, and a few of the better relievers have moved on. Jimmy Whittaker was brought in to help the staff.
On The Farm: Detroit has been very active on the scouting front, with a number of high-end prospects in their international complex. Marty Parham should start the year in Triple-A but could be a starting Second Baseman by years end, and Cesar Pastrano should break with the team for the start of the season as a member of the club’s rotation. Cory Ferguson could be the team’s starting Catcher in a few years time.
Best Case Scenario: Detroit’s staff isn’t inexplicably the worst in the American League again and the team finishes third in the division.
Worst Case Scenario: It’s an older team, so the best players could drop off. If the pitching wasn’t a fluke, Detroit could lose 100 games.
Key Questions: You didn’t make many changes to a league-worst pitching staff. Why didn’t you overhaul the unit?
When Brice Turang is healthy, what role will he have on the team?
