2008 MLB season preview - AL Central

Mar 04 2008

Posted by Cuzzy as Babes, Celebrities, Fashion, Sports, Sports Betting, baseball, opinions

I recently got a chance to do some freelance writing for Chalk, a sports content provider, and it ended up being listed in the Bodog fantasy section. I figured since it was published by a superpower site like that, it was worth posting on Cuzoogle. To help spice it up I decided to turn to baseball’s resident babe to help preview the upcoming season.

With the help of Alyssa Milano and her MLB clothing line, here is a break down of each division heading into the season. Today we look at the AL Central.

AL Central

Alyssa Milano in Tigers shirt Detroit Tigers

Motown is full of excitement and optimism for the upcoming season as the Tigers are considered title contenders heading into spring training. Detroit followed up a 2006 World Series appearance by contending for a playoff spot deep into last season. After missing out on the postseason, the team quickly sent a message that being merely good was not enough. In the first major deal of the offseason, the Tigers picked up All-Stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from Florida by giving up top prospects Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. The lineup is loaded and the rotation could be one of the best in the league. The only weak spots for Detroit are the bullpen and, possibly, the bench. The Tigers will need to fill the void left by fire-balling reliever Joel Zumaya, who will miss at least half the season with a shoulder injury. One player to keep an eye on is 3B Brandon Inge. He was a major disappointment at the plate last season and is due to be traded. But a good offensive season will boost his value to other teams or put him in line to take a regular job from somebody else on the roster. The Tigers have perhaps the best top-to-bottom lineup in baseball, making it a team built for the postseason.

Alyssa Milano in Indians shirt Cleveland Indians

There wasn’t much to do this offseason for the Indians to improve the team they already have. Cleveland is bringing back pretty much the same roster from last season that ran away with the AL Central and were one game away from going to the World Series. Players including 19-game winners LHP C.C. Sabathia and RHP Fausto Carmona, AL saves leader RHP Joe Borowski and stars OF Grady Sizemore, C Victor Martinez and DH Travis Hafner are all back. Manager Eric Wedge’s greatest challenge will be getting his fairly young club to the take it to the next level. The team recently offered a long-term contract extension to Sabathia, who is in line to become baseball’s next $20-million-per-season pitcher. Sabathia has already said he doesn’t plan to continue talks until after the season is over. Young pitchers Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey and Cliff Lee are expected to compete for the No. 5 starter’s job in an already deep rotation. The batting lineup is virtually set, although the lower half of the order could be changed around occasionally. The left-handed hitting David Dellucci will platoon with the right-handed hitting Jason Michaels in left field.

Alyssa Milano in White Sox shirt Chicago White Sox

It would seem that few GMs had a better winter than the Chicago White Sox’s Ken Williams. He acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera, landed free-agent relievers Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel, and then traded for OF Nick Swisher. The problem, however, was that the bar was set sky-high when the offseason began. The White Sox took some big swings at a major acquisition and missed each time. Fans are wondering if they retooled enough to rebound from a disappointing season and if they can catch both Cleveland and Detroit. By adding Linebrink and Dotel to a bullpen that was 19-25 and had 23 blown saves, the White Sox think they have a strong bridge between the starters and closer Bobby Jenks. One area the team will need to address is the logjam at third base. Josh Fields showed promise as a rookie while Joe Crede missed most of last season with a back injury. The Sox also need to settle on an everyday leadoff hitter, center fielder and second baseman. Cabrera, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels could lead off, and Alexei Ramirez might wind up in center.

Alyssa Milano in Twins shirt Minnesota Twins

The Twins were in the news as much as any team in baseball this winter thanks to the deal that sent two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to the Mets. He leaves a huge hole in a starting rotation that will see 2006 All-Star Francisco Liriano return, as long as he is strong enough after Tommy John surgery. Even if Liriano is healthy enough, starting pitching will be a major question for Minnesota as they try to fill five starting spots with a handful of young pitchers. RHP Livan Hernandez was signed to a one-year contract and should provide a veteran presence on the unproven staff. RHP Boof Bonser lost his spot in the rotation last September, then was ordered to lose 10 pounds over the winter. Bonser responded by losing more than 20 and is in the best shape of his career. Closer Joe Nathan anchors what should be a dependable bullpen for the Twins. Lost in the hype over the Santana deal and Torii Hunter’s departure via free agency was the acquisition of Delmon Young from the Rays. The heart of Minnesota’s lineup could be transformed if Young is the budding superstar that the Twins believe him to be. A healthy Joe Mauer and a determined Justin Morneau should provide even more offensive output than 2007. Mike Lamb is an upgrade on offense at third, but entering spring training it’s not clear who will lead off and who will play center field.

Alyssa Milano in Royals shirt Kansas City Royals

New manager Trey Hillman inherits a young team that will be trying to break itself free of four straight last-place finishes in the tough AL Central. If the Royals are going to move from perennial loser to contender, they will need youngsters 3B Alex Gordon, DH/1B Billy Butler, OF Mark Teahen, CF David DeJesus, 1B Ryan Shealy, SS Tony Pena Jr. and C John Buck to make major strides in 2008. The Royals did make one move to beef up a weak offense by signing OF Jose Guillen. His power should help the team produce more runs in 2008. Rookie RHP Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, has a chance to break camp with the club as the No. 4 or 5 starter. First base is wide open with Ryan Shealy, Ross Gload and Butler competing. Shealy was acquired in a 2006 trade with the Rockies. He hit .280 with seven home runs and 36 RBI in 51 games in 2006 with Kansas City, and was the Royals’ Opening Day first baseman in 2007. If Shealy is healthy and returns to form, he should win the first base job.

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