2010 Preview: AL Central

This is a preview of the 2010 season. We will look at the different divisions, teams, and players. This is also featured on Phillies Nation, as part of their 2010 preview.

Last season, it took 163 games to decide the winner of the American League Central. The Detroit Tigers had a three game lead with four games left, but were unable to hold it as the Minnesota Twins forced a tiebreaker. In a game for the ages, the Twins defeated the Tigers, 6-5. Alexi Casilla's 12th inning walk-off single dramatically sent the Twins into the postseason. Unfortunately, the Twins were unable to make it past the first round of the postseason.

Minnesota Twins

The Metrodome would give a slight advantage to the home team, but this April, Target Field will become the new home of the Minnesota Twins. Last year, the Twins ranked fifth in runs scored (817); it'll be interesting to see if their new ballpark will benefit pitchers or hitters. Either way, the Twins have a scary lineup that includes the American League MVP and batting champion, Joe Mauer.

Along with Mauer, the Twins have several players who are capable of hitting 20 or more home runs: Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, and their newest addition, Jim Thome. In addition, the Twins acquired a new double play combination: J.J Hardy and Orlando Hudson.

Pitching is the Twins biggest question mark. Joe Nathan, a top-notch closer, has been sidelined with an elbow tear. Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey will anchor the rotation, but the Twins would like a comeback from Francisco Liriano, who had a phenomenal rookie season. Liriano has been plagued with injuries and struggles since 2006.

2009: 87-76, 1st in AL Central
2010 Prediction: 88-74, 1st place

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers made headlines when they traded Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson for Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke. While they got some key players in return, losing a player of Granderson's caliber is huge. They also lost Placido Polanco to free agency.

Among other off-season moves, the Tigers signed Johnny Damon to a one-year, $8 million contract. With the health problems of flame-throwing Joel Zumaya, the Tigers also signed closer Jose Valverde to a two-year, $14 million deal.

Since his trade to Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hasn't been in the spotlight, but he always has an All Star type season. Additionally, the Tigers have a solid 1-2 punch with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello.

2009: 86-77, 2nd in AL Central
2010 Prediction: 82-80, 3rd place

Chicago White Sox

In 2009, the Chicago White Sox made a couple trades that didn't impact the team at the time. However, Jake Peavy and Alex Rios could make big impacts on the team in 2010. With Mark Buehrle and a healthy Peavy, the White Sox could have an impressive front of the rotation.

The health of Peavy is important, but so is the health of Carlos Quentin, who has been bothered with injuries over the last few years.

2009: 79-83, 3rd in AL Central
2010 Prediction: 86-76, 2nd place

Cleveland Indains

Over the course of the last two years, the Cleveland Indians traded most of their team to get younger. They have plenty of prospects (Carlos Santana to name one), but aren't likely to contend in 2010.

The only "big name player" left is Grady Sizemore. While Sizemore is an All Star caliber player, the Indians have other established players, such as Travis Hafner and Shin-Soo Choo. Most of their club consists of up and coming players like Matt LaPorta and Justin Masterson.

2009: 65-97, Tied for last in AL Central
2010: 70-92, last place

Kansas City Royals

The Royals didn't have too many bright spots last year, but one of them was Zach Greinke. The American League Cy Young winner dominated, despite being on one of the worst teams in basbeall.

Besides Greinke, the Royals have a few players they can count on. They've added Rick Ankiel to the outfield and have gotten some production out of first baseman Billy Butler. Joakim Soria doesn't get too many save opportunities as a Royal, but when he does, he gets the job done.

The Royals seem to be high on their third baseman, Alex Gordon. He has been bothered with injuries and so far has yet to live up to his potential.

2009: 65-97, Tied for last in AL Central
2010 Prediction: 71-91, 4th place

Greinke Wins Cy; Managers of the Year

Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals was deservedly named the 2009 American League Cy Young winner.

The 25-year old went 16-8 on a dismal Royals' team. Greinke led the major leagues in earned run average (2.16), walks/hits per innings pitched (1.07) and home runs per nine (0.4). In 229.1 innings, Greinke fanned 242, a strikeout ratio of 9.5 per nine. He only walked 51 and allowed 11 homers. Opponents batted .230 against the All Star right hander.

Charlie Manuel finished sixth in the National League Manager of the Year voting. Manuel finished in second place in 2007 and 2008. Colorado manager Jim Tracy won this year’s award. Tracy took over for Clint Hurdle in May.

Tracy ran away with the votes, tallying 151 points. Not only did Tracy lead the Rockies to a wild card berth and win Manager of the Year, he received a new, three-year contract.

In the American League, Mike Scioscia won the Manager of the Year. Scioscia's Angels made it to the American League Championship Series, despite losing their pitcher Nick Adenhart in a tragic accident.

Scioscia, who has been managing the Angels for 10 years, also won the same award in 2002.

MLB News & Notes

The offseason moves on, and here is the lastest from the Hot Stove.

The Phillies could have interest in Jermey Hermida and Raul Ibanez. Hermida hit 17 homeruns in 2008. He missed a significant amount of time due to an injury. Ibanez is a .286 career hitter. He hit 23 homeruns in 2008.

Mike Mussina of the Yankees announces his retirement. In 2008, Mussina reached 20 wins for the first time in his career. His career record is 270-158 with a career 3.68 ERA and 2,813 strikeouts.

Ryan Dempster and the Cubs agree to a 4 year deal worth $52 million. Dempster moved to the starting rotation in 2008 and was 17-6. In 200+ innings, he had an ERA of 2.96.

The Red Sox trade Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez. Ramirez pitched 71.2 innings in 2008. He had a 2.64 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He struck out 70 batters. The Red Sox make Jacoby Ellsbury their everyday starter with the move. Crisp batted .283 in 2008 with 7 homeruns and 41 RBI.

The Mariners also name Wakamatsu their new manager. Wakamatsu becomes the first Asian-American manager

White Sox/ Royals Brawl

The benches cleared in Kansas City.

Down 6-0 in the 5th inning, White Sox reliever D.J Carrasco threw two straight pitches a little to close to Miguel Olivo. The second one hitting him, and forcing in a run. Olivo charged the mound. The benches and the bullpens would clear out breaking each other up.

A.J Peirzynski did everything he could to protect his pitcher from getting hit. He held Olivo back, so no punches were thrown.

Olivo would be ejected and headed to the clubhouse to a standing ovation from Royal fans. D.J Carrasco was thrown out of the game as well. Furious, again, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got into a heated argument with umpire Tim Timmons, and as a result was tossed.

Carrasco said after the game that hitting Olivo was not intentional. Guillen did not understand why his pitcher was ejected since the first pitch was a foul ball. Also, why would he hit him with the bases loaded? But Olivo thought different as he charge the mound.

Later in the game, Zach Grienke of the Royals hit Nick Swisher by a pitch. Grienke was ejected as well as Royals manager Trey Hillman.

The two teams face each other 6 more times. There could be some more fireworks between the two teams then.

Not only did the White Sox lose today, but they dropped to second in the divison behind the Minnesota Twins.