American League Central predictions

American League Central

1) Detroit Tigers — Five predictions here: 1) Anibal Sanchez, the $80 million man, silences those that questioned his re-signing with the best season of his career, winning 16 games and registering an ERA around 3.50. 2) Top prospect Nick Castellanos is called up to the majors in late May when one of the Tigers’ corner outfielders hits the disabled list. Castellanos hits .280 and smacks 10 home runs in 300 plate appearances with Detroit. 3) Five different pitchers register at least one save. This list includes both Drew Smyly and a pitcher not yet in the organization. 4) As the new third base coach, Tom Brookens draws the same (often irrational) ire from the fans that Gene Lamont received for years. 5) Final record: 94-68.

2) Cleveland Indians — New manager Terry Francona coaxes enough quality innings out of his starting pitching staff to bring a semblance of balance to a team whose offense surprises and finishes Top 5 in the American League in runs scored. Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds will each produce, giving the Indians a deep lineup of above average contributors, but one without a true star-caliber player. Justin Masterson will be the key as the de facto No. 1 starter.

3) Kansas City Royals — The overhauled starting rotation will produce mixed results and the surrender of top outfield prospect Wil Myers in the James Shields acquisition will predictably backfire. These two things seem quite certain to occur. The Royals will receive major contributions (some expected, some not) from Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain (both acquired in the Zack Greinke deal), as the duo will help lengthen the lineup. The bullpen, spearheaded by new closer Greg Holland, expects to be a major strength that can cover up for some of the deficiencies in the rotation.

4) Chicago White Sox — There are plenty of players that could regress, from the ever-aging Paul Konerko to Alex Rios, whose career has consistently alternated good and bad years. An injury to either Jake Peavy or Chris Sale in the starting rotation would be detrimental, but not much of a surprise given their not-unwarranted fragility labels. The White Sox challenged the Tigers deep into September last season before ultimately bowing out when they couldn’t topple the lowly Indians time and again. Don’t expect Chicago to have a repeat run at the division crown. In fact, don’t expect any team to push the Tigers too hard to secure the division in September.

5) Minnesota Twins — With an expected rallying cry of “At least we’re not the Astros!,” 2013 doesn’t look like a promising year for the Twins, whose rotation remains filled with soft-tossing journeymen pitchers and underdeveloped youngsters. The offense will be capable of putting up some runs if Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau remain healthy, though honestly that is always the critical caveat with those two former AL MVPs. Look out for outfielder Aaron Hicks, who opened some eyes this spring with his performance.