As we get closer to the start of Spring Training, LWOS will continue to preview the strengths and weaknesses of each team in each division. Here is our AL Central Spring Training preview.
Kansas City Royals
Strengths:
Following an incredible run to become World Series Champions, the Royals will return to Spring Training with the same formula as 2015. The formula, of course, involves great defense and a spectacular bullpen. The Royals finished first in bullpen ERA (2.72) and the second most saves in the league at fifty-six. Wade Davis enjoyed an incredible amount of success from 2014-2015, boasting a 17-3 record with an ERA of 0.97. to cope with the losses of Greg Holland and Ryan Madson, the Royals went out and acquired reliever Joakim Soria. He played with the Royals in 2011 and after five years, they are finally reunited. Soria is coming off a season in which he recored a 2.53 ERA in 67 2/3 innings, further bolstering the seventh, eighth, and ninth spots in the bullpen.
Its worth noting that the Royals defense will remain almost completely untouched coming into the 2016 season. With the only major departure being Alex Rios, the Royals won’t suffer any major downgrade in right field. Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando have already showcased their speed and defensive capability, making them both perfect platoon candidates in right.
Weaknesses:
The key to the Royals offense has always been timely hitting. Though they ranked in the top-ten for team batting average, they ranked in bottom-five in total home runs with 139 in 2015. Even with last year’s addition of Kendrys Morales, the Royals found themselves lacking hitters with raw power that could add an important element to their game. It may not be an absolute necessity give the Royals style of play, but it certainly couldn’t hurt their chances of returning to the world series for a third year in a row.
Detroit Tigers
Strengths:
Without a doubt one of the most obvious strengths in the Detroit Tigers clubhouse is hitting from the likes of former triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera and the recently re-signed J.D. Martinez. With the addition of Justin Upton, their lineup is solid all the way through. Another important strength of the Tigers heading into spring training could be their starting pitching. The Tigers signed Jordan Zimmerman in late November of 2015 to fit in between Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez.
Weaknesses:
One small thing to point out about the Tigers lineup is that although it is loaded with offensive talent, it consists of mostly right-handed batters. Though Anthony Gose hits from the left, its likely that the Tigers will stick with the heavy right-handed lineup no matter what the scenario. The most glaring weakness for Detroit is still their unreliable bullpen. They ranked twenty-seventh with an abysmal 4.38 ERA and earned the second fewest saves. Even with the addition of Francisco Rodriguez, this is the area in greatest need of noticeable improvement in Spring Training.
Minnesota Twins
Strengths:
The Twins had a pretty good 2015 season, but fell short of making the playoffs. They didn’t make any major moves in the offseason; however, they didn’t lose many pieces either. The Twins offense features some very young exciting prospects. Third baseman Miguel Sano burst onto the scene in 2015 and made his mark, hitting .269 with eighteen home runs and fifty-two RBI. Sano has some elite power potential, but has also shown ability to get on base with seventy-five hits and fifty-three walks. The Twins also added Korean slugger Byung Ho Park. Park batted .343 last season in Korea with a whopping fifty-three home runs and 146 RBI’s.
Weaknesses:
The Twins struggled last year with Kurt Suzuki at the dish, and haven’t solidified the position for the 2016 season. Suzuki, a competent backup, had a hard time throwing out base stealers last season. Opponents were able to steal eighty bases against Suzuki in just eighty-four tries. That’s the highest successful stolen base percentage (85%) against any catcher that qualified for a batting title. Minnesota recently acquired a new catcher, John Ryan Murphy. They hope Murphy will be the upgrade at catcher that they need. What remains to be seen is whether or not he can shore up the defensive responsibilities and improve at the plate.
Chicago White Sox
Strengths:
Despite a break out year from Adam Eaton and consistent output from Jose Abreu, the White Sox scored the third-fewest runs in baseball last year. They hope the recent additions of Brett Lawrie and Todd Frazier can improve offensive production as well as patch up a frail infield. An average offense doesn’t sound enticing until you consider the White Sox pitching rotation. If not for the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale could very well be considered one of the best pitchers in the game. Since 2012, Sale has a 2.95 ERA. Jose Quintana may be one of the more under-rated number two pitchers in all of baseball, boasting a 3.46 ERA in the last four seasons. The recently-signed Mat Latos is a very capable fourth or fifth starter as well.
Weaknesses:
It appears the biggest weakness the White Sox could suffer from is a lack of depth. They could be walking a tight rope that could easily give way due to a key injury or poor performance. With Alex Avila, Avisail Garcia, and Tyler Saladino, they already have some huge weaknesses in their lineup. The new additions in the infield have left the White sox with a top heavy lineup that lacks major depth for longevity, leaving some lingering questions.
Cleveland Indians
Strengths:
The Indians biggest strength is without a doubt their depth at the pitching position. Cleveland boasted the fourth best ERA in baseball last season at 3.12. The rotation already has the look of one of the best in baseball with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, and Trevor Bauer rounding out the one through four spots. The Indians could also be looking to add even more depth, as rumors circulate of talks with Cliff Lee to be the possible fifth starter.
Weaknesses:
Even though the Indians had arguably one of the best rotations in baseball last season, they finished the season 81-80. The lineup averaged a meager .256 collectively and finished eighteenth in the league in team batting statistics. No matter how efficient your pitching staff is, it’s going to be hard to win games with such lackluster offensive production. The Indians acquired Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli in hopes of shoring up some of their problems at the plate. This season could either be a huge turning point for Cleveland or another year of just settling for mediocrity.
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