The AL Central doesn't seem like the best place to find the top baseball teams.
Instead, it may have some of the teams that have improved the most.
The division had a tough 2023, with the Twins winning the title with 87 wins, which wouldn’t have been enough to win in any other MLB division. One year later, it's still hard to see an obvious 90-win team in the group.
Despite losing starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda, Minnesota seems to be the top team in the division once again.
However, the focus is on the Tigers and Royals, who are aiming for major progress. The Tigers haven't had a winning season since 2016 and manager A.J. Hinch is under pressure to change that.
The Royals, who won the World Series in 2015, have also been struggling. They made offseason moves to try to end their streak of losing seasons.
HOW THEY PROJECT
1. Minnesota Twins. After breaking their 18-game postseason losing streak and winning a series for the first time in 21 years, the Twins are looking to defend their division title. They have almost the same lineup as last year, but losing Gray and Maeda could be a setback. Pablo López is their ace and Joe Ryan has the potential to be a strong support. Chris Paddack, who missed the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, could be a wildcard. Health will likely be crucial, especially after shortstop Carlos Correa played through plantar fasciitis and had his worst offensive season and Byron Buxton had knee issues limiting his playing time.
2. Cleveland Guardians. Two years after changing their name, Cleveland starts a new era with manager Stephen Vogt. The team has enough good players to compete for the division title. Shane Bieber seems to be recovered from arm issues, and the rotation includes promising rookies Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams. The lineup lacks power but José Ramírez and Josh Naylor have the potential for 30 homers each. Prospect Kyle Manzardo could provide needed strength. Closer Emmanuel Clase needs to improve after leading the league with 12 blown saves.
3. Detroit Tigers. The team is more hopeful than in recent years, especially about their strong pitching staff and promising players, and could make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Left-hander Tarik Skubal ended last season with strong performances and will be supported by newly acquired right-handers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty. The bullpen is led by righties Jason Foley and Alex Lange, along with lefty Andrew Chafin. Spencer Torkelson, the top pick in 2022, has the potential to hit 40 home runs. Multi-talented outfielder Parker Meadows brings excitement to the plate and the base paths. Second baseman Colt Keith has been given a big contract, showing the team's confidence in his potential.
4.) Kansas City Royals: The Royals are aiming to move from last place to first place this season after losing 106 games last year. There are signs that they might be able to achieve this. The AL Central is wide open, and the Royals spent over $100 million in free agency to address their main issues, particularly with pitching. They signed Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to join breakout star Cole Ragans, Brady Singer, and Jordan Lyles in the rotation. Almost the entire bullpen is new, with Will Smith taking over the closer job. The Royals also added slugger Hunter Renfroe and versatile Adam Frazier to the lineup, and they have power-hitting first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino returning from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss almost all of the 2023 season. The Royals are considering a new downtown ballpark as part of a $2 billion development that will be partly funded by the extension of an existing sales tax. It is important for them to demonstrate to their tired fanbase that they are serious about winning in order to justify the new stadium.
5.) Chicago White Sox: The White Sox had a difficult 2023, losing 101 games. It's uncertain if 2024 will be much better. Chicago was second to last in the majors in runs scored and allowed more runs than all but four teams. The team also had one of the worst defensive records. The White Sox are hopeful that pitchers Chris Flexen and Erick Fedde can strengthen the back end of the rotation, while the offense has several established offensive players in outfielder Luis Robert Jr., first baseman Andrew Vaughn, outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jiménez, and third baseman Yoán Moncada. It seems that the new general manager Chris Getz, starting his first full season, has a lot of work to do.
CEASE GONE
The White Sox indicated that they will continue to rebuild when they traded right-hander Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday for a group of players, including reliever Steven Wilson.
Cease, who turned 28 in December, was the runner-up in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2022 after achieving a 14-8 record with a 2.20 ERA. Last year, he had a 7-9 record with a 4.58 ERA for a White Sox team that finished 61-101.
WITT GETS PAID
The Royals signed young star Bobby Witt Jr. to an 11-year contract worth more than $288.7 million guaranteed in February, making it the longest and richest deal in club history. It includes a three-year, $89 million team option that could increase the value to over $377 million and keep Witt with the Royals until the 2037 season.
This contract marked a major change for a historically frugal, small-market team. It also demonstrates that Kansas City’s ownership is committed to being more competitive in the division after several challenging years.