1. Detroit Tigers. Perhaps the class of the American League. With bangers like Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder manning the corner infield spots and batting 3-4 in the lineup, this team would score a lot of runs if the rest of the lineup were just average. They aren't though, which means problems for the rest of the AL.
Alex Avila is one of the better catchers in the league, both offensively and defensively. Jhonny Peralta is an above average shortstop, who other than not knowing how to spell his own first name, is very good. The Tigers outfield of Brennan Boesch, Delmon Young, and young stud Austin Jackson could be one of the best all around outfields in the AL.
Justin Verlander anchors the pitching staff and could win 20 and another Cy Young easier this year than before with the run support he is sure to get. The rest of the rotation of Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Rick Porcello is fairly solid but not spectacular. Jose Valverde is one of the best closers in the league as well as being very entertaining.
2. Chicago White Sox. This team has the potential to be a wild card club but winning the division will be tough. The White Sox are pretty solid at every position but not spectacular. If Alexei Ramirez could bounce back with a strong year, Paul Konerko can continue his all-star form, Gordon Beckham can begin to live up to his potential and Brent Morel can hit the ball like he did last September, the ChiSox will have a pretty strong infield. Alejandro D'Aza has the potential to be a dynamic leadoff hitter, and Dayan Viciedo could be a 20 HR, 80 RBI type guy in right, but as a rookie, is untested.
The White Sox strong suit is starting pitching though. John Denks has shown potential to be a top line ace. Jake Peavy could get back to his all-star form. Gavin Floyd is a denent 4rd starter. Chris Sale moves into the rotation and has shown nasty stuff out of the pen the last two years, and former Red Wing Phil Humber is coming off a career year. Matt Thornton has good stuff as the closer, but watch out for rookie Addison Reed. He will probably take over as the closer by June I believe.
3. Kansas City Royals. Tough to pick the Royals or the Indians for the third spot, but I will go with the Royals by a hair. They just have more offense, but shaky pitching. The Indians have better pitching but shaky hittin. I'm going with offense.
The Royals have some of the best young sluggers in the game that no one has heard of...yet. Eric Hosmer is a future perennial all-star at first base. Billy Butler can knock the seams outta the ball at DH. Mike Moustakas can be a .300 hitter with 20 HR's and 80 RBI at third. You could say the same for both Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur in the corner outfield spots, and Lorenzo Cain has a lot of potential but is a rookie.
The Royals pitching is shaky at best. Luke Hochevar is a former #1 draft pick who has been nothing but promise for four years now. Jonathan Sanchez comes over from San Fran and will help but is still pretty hittable. Bruce Chen can be a batting practive slow baller at times. Danny Duffy is untested, and you could say the same for Luis Vizcaino. Their closer Joaquim Soria is out for the year with Tommy John surgery.
4. Cleveland Indians. The Indians have pretty decent pitching with former Red Sox starter Justin Masterson anchoring the rotation. Ubaldo Jiminez was great for Colorado, but has been oft-injured the last couple years. Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe are pretty hittable and Jeanmar Gomez, who won the 5th starter role is a big question mark although he had a very good spring.
Offensively, the Indians will be challenged to score a lot of runs. Grady Sizemore is out until last May at least. Jack Hannahan is the worst starting third baseman in baseball. Shelley Duncan is a minor league journeyman starting in left, and journeyman Casey kotchman is slated to start at first. Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera are a solid middle infield, and Carlos Santana is a top notch catcher, but that's about it. Shin Soo-Choo will have to step up big time in one of the starting outfield spots.
5. Minnesota Twins. How the Twins consistently stay competetive is a tribute to manager Ron Gardenhire, but I think that ends this year. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are big question marks due to health concerns. They say they are healthy, but time will tell. Other than them, there is little offense. Denard Span and Ben Revere are punch and judy hitting speed guys. Josh Willingham had some good years for Washington and Oakland and will need to have a huge year now also. Ryan Doumit is a converted catcher who will try his hand at right field, but he can't have the best defense out there. Jamey Carroll is a weak hitting shortstop and Alexi Casilla a weak hitting second baseman, and Danny Valencia has potential at third, but needs to realize it quickly.
The Twins rotation is awful. Carl Pavano is the staff ace, but would be a fourth starter on most other average teams. Francisco Liriano has never been the same since elbow surgery, Nick Blackburn is a soft tosser who can get blasted. Scott Baker will start the season on the DL and Liam Hendriks is an untested question mark. Matt Capps is a shaky closer and the middle relief is weak as well.
