Found a division preview

[Butter Parque]

AL Central Preview

by: Jonathan Daling | Special to Chicago Sports Day | Thursday, March 3, 2005

 

 

 

As we enter the 2005 season, here's a look into what could be the most competitive division race in the majors - the American League Central. Below is a team by team breakdown:

 

Chicago White Sox: The new-look "Go Go Sox", led by GM Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen, made it their mission over the off-season to become faster and more fundamentally sound. With the additions of outfielders’ Scott Podsednik and Jermaine Dye, it seems they succeeded. It should be interesting to see how the Sox deal with the departures of Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez, who had become staples in the lineup. It's obvious we'll be seeing a completely different Sox team in April, whether they will be improved or not is still up in the air. Good starting pitching at the top of the rotation should be able to keep them into contention throughout the season.

 

Biggest Concern: Orlando Hernandez's health. Following shoulder surgery, Hernandez was only able to pitch 84.2 innings last season that ended with Hernandez making only one start in the post-season for the Yankees following shoulder fatigue. If Hernandez is able to stay healthy and provide quality starts to the White Sox, they could be able to overtake the Twins atop the AL Central.

 

Cleveland Indians: Definitely the most intriguing team in the division. The Indians have gone through several years of rebuilding their farm system in an effort to get ready to make another run at the division title. The time could be now for this talented, young team. With the addition of Kevin Millwood to lead their young staff, nothing seems to be in the way of recapturing the choke hold they had over the division in the mid to late '90s. C.C Sabathia will have to become a better second-half pitcher if the Indians plan on being in contention for the whole season. The signing of outfielder/designated hitter, Juan Gonzalez could give them significant power in the middle of the order. Since Gonzalez only signed a minor-league deal, the Indians have nothing to lose.

 

Biggest Concern: Can Millwood achieve success in the American League? After several stellar seasons in the National League, many will be watching to see if Millwood can be as productive in a power-heavy American League. If the starters can go deep into games, it could mean less work for a weak bullpen.

 

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers were big spenders this off-season. General Manager, Dave Dombrowski, made the first big splash of the off-season by signing closer Troy Percival, 35, from the Anaheim Angels to a two year, $12 million dollar contract. The move raised eyebrows across the league, considering the fact that the Tigers had signed closer Ugeth Urbina just one year ago. The off-season capped off with Dombrowski making another risky and somewhat surprising move. The Tigers signed former White Sox outfielder, Magglio Ordonez to a five year, $75 million dollar contract. Ordonez is coming off a serious knee injury suffered in a collision in the outfield. Many questioned whether he would be ready to participate in Spring Training, but that didn't stop Dombrowski from offering the big contract to the star right fielder.

 

Biggest Concern: Starting Pitching. Will Jeremy Bonderman and Mike Maroth continue to grow? A staff that featured Jason Johnson as its ace at the start of last season has certainly improved, but is it good enough for them to become serious contenders? Watch out for pitcher, Wilfredo Ledezma. The 24 year old lefty started eight games last season, but was held under a tight leash last season, compiling only 53 innings pitched, with seven relief appearances added onto his games started. Some have compared his make-up and career track to Johan Santana. It's unknown whether he will ever meet those comparisons, but the young hurler should have plenty of success in years to come.

 

Kansas City Royals: After a promising 2003 campaign, expectations were higher then ever for manager Tony Pena's club. Unfortunately, the Royals were unable to meet those expectations. In fact, they didn't come close, stumbling to a dreadful, 58-104 record that resulted in the trade of Carlos Beltran to Houston and yet another rebuilding process. This year, the young Royals feature a cast of talented prospects ready to establish themselves in the big leagues. Catcher Joe Buck, 24, showed the most promise last season, totaling 12 home runs and 30 RBI's in 238 at bats. This season, Buck should show more improvement as his experience increases. This year though, the Royals will be battling to stay out of the cellar, not battling for a division championship.

 

Biggest Concern: Zack Grienke's health. The young phenom impressed the league with his ace caliber stuff. This year, the Royals won't be contending for anything. The goal should be to keep their future ace healthy, while giving him more experience.

 

Minnesota Twins: The back-to-back-to-back AL Central champions are determined to make it a four-peat. With the resigning of Brad Radke, as well as the contract extension given to pitching phenom, Johan Santana, the Twins seem to be right back on track to hold their throne as division champions. The losses of short stop, Christian Guzman and third basemen, Corey Koskie should deliver a big blow to the left side of their infield, but the addition of a healthy Joe Mauer back at catcher should help. With a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation for Minnesota, nothing should stand in the way of them winning their fourth division crown in a row.

 

Biggest Concern: Short stop has become a point of emphasis for the Twins in Spring Training, the loss of Christian Guzman really hurts, and with the list of possible replacements assembled (Juan Castro, Augie Ojeda, Jason Bartlett), it will be difficult for them to obtain quality production at that position.

 

 

Prediction: Twins capture their fourth division crown in a row. Until someone knocks them off, there is no reason to doubt Rod Gardenhire's bunch.

 

 

What do you guys think?

[JUGGERNAUT]

QUOTE:

If Hernandez is able to stay healthy and provide quality starts to the White Sox, they could be able to overtake the Twins atop the AL Central.

 

I think we all pretty much echo those sentiments. One thing I will mention that has not been mentioned is a comparison of winnable starts between the 04 & 05 rotations. It's a difference of night & day. A winnable start is considered 5ip/3r, 6ip/4r, 7ip/5r or better. It's nothing to write home to Mom about but it still gets the job done. A starter will not get a 7ip/5r night unless his team is in the hunt for the win. That's why it's still considered a winnable start.

 

The best way to put it is that the 05 Sox team is better equipped to handle

injuries to the rotation than the 04 one. You've heard a lot about the 5th spot in the rotation for the Sox. A combined record since 2001 of 20 more losses than wins. But that's only part of the story. The bigger story is the bad luck health wise the Sox have had in their rotation over those years.

That bad luck has led to the Sox bumping Garland up to #3 & then using

AAA/AAAA arms to fill out the rotation. That's were the losses really mount & this was again the story in 04.

 

In 05 the Sox can shoulder a starter going down & still remain competitive

with 4 starters capable of producing a winnable start night in & night out.

Sure timely hitting, opportune base-running, & strong D play are essential to a winning ball club. But that doesn't mean much if you don't have the arms to keep the game close early on. The Sox have those arms in 05.

[WilliamTell]

Yeah I'm worried about Hernandez too. I'd be real happy if he pitches 150 innings this year.

[SoxFan1]

Prediction: Twins capture their fourth division crown in a row. Until someone knocks them off, there is no reason to doubt Rod Gardenhire's bunch.

 

I agree with this statement. You can't choose against the, until someone beats them.

[WilliamTell]

I agree with this statement. You can't choose against the, until someone beats them.

 

 

 

Yeah. I hope the statement turns out wrong though.

[GoodAsGould]

idonno i really think this is the year the twins fall.... they lost possibly their best bat last year in Koskie and their 2 biggest bats in the lineup our young guys in Mauer and their 1B

 

but oh well i guess we can see what happens when the season starts.

[JUGGERNAUT]

The Twins have been lucky for the most part in their rotation the past 4 yrs.

Mays & Milton have had their troubles but they've had adequate replacements in Rogers & others. It's been exactly the opposite of the Sox. They are due for some bad luck health wise in their rotation.

[GoodAsGould]

i kind of refuse the believe in that little luck factor... maybe it can happen once... or possibly twice but not three times in a row :headshake

[WilliamTell]

Yeah I stopped saying the Twins were lucky during last year. I give their team credit even though I don't like them and hate their fans. They find a way to win the close games, that's what makes them a real good team.

[Butter Parque]

Koskie was terrible last year and they still won.

[DBAHO]

idonno i really think this is the year the twins fall.... they lost possibly their best bat last year in Koskie and their 2 biggest bats in the lineup our young guys in Mauer and their 1B

 

but oh well i guess we can see what happens when the season starts.

A healthy Mauer, Morneau > Corey Koskie.

[JUGGERNAUT]

You guys focus too much on position players. If you want to know why the Twins are 3 time champs in this decade you need to look no further than winnable starts by rotation.

 

The Twins have been the luckiest in the division in terms of a healthy rotation.

What were the odds that Rogers would have 30+ starts for them in 03? Without Rogers they don't win in 03. That's why the law of averages are in the Sox favor for getting the better luck out of a healthy rotation. If Hernandez gives the Sox in 05 what Rogers gave the Twins in 03 the Sox should win the division.