2010 Predictions: AL Central

I look for the Twins to remain atop the Central once again.  I could mention that they won the division last year with Mauer, Morneau and Nathan and leave it at that but the Twins didn’t rest on last year’s accomplishment.  Due to a short post-season, Minnesota went out and got JJ Hardy and Orlando Hudson to fill the gap in the middle.  Althoug, they don’t have a real ace on the staff, with the M&M boys (part 2) and maybe the best closer in the AL, the Twins look to take home the pennant again.

 

The White Sox only added Juan Pierre but that should be enough to jump last year’s second place team, the Tigers, to take the second spot this season.  With a pitching staff that includes Peavy, Buerhle, Danks and Floyd, you have to pick them to be in contention. 

 

That moves the Tigers down to third this season.  The addition of Johnny Damon only offsets the loss of Curtis Granderson.  So I look for the Tigers to remain about the same.  Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge and Miguel Cabrera could have great seasons and help the Tigers challenge the Sox, but with only Justin Verlander to strike fear into their opponents, I don’t believe their pitching is going to do them any favors this year.

 

The Cleveland Indians should be thankful that the Royals are in their division to keep them from finishing last (again).  The Tribe’s big move this off-season was the acquisition of a re-tread in Russel Branyan.  If he was the answer, why did they get rid of him in the first place?  Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo should add some offensive excitement for tribe fans but that will be about it.  Jake Westbrook is no ace, yet he is first in the rotation.  Indians fans should home for the return of the Fausto from a couple of years ago.

 

The Royals will once again bring up the rear in the division.  While Zack Greinke might be the best pitcher in the AL Central, a division with names like Peavy, Buerhle and Verlander, he alone can’t save the lowly Royals.  Joakim Soria is another highlight of a dismal team.

Post Season Awards are being Handed Out!

Zack Greinke wins the AL Cy Young although voters don’t go the normal route of choosing the pitcher with the most wins. Greinke won the award easily over second place Felix Hernandez largely based on his domination. Greinke finished 16-8 on a less than stellar Kansas City Royals team that finished 65-97 and tied for last place in the weak AL Central. He failed to earn victories in six starts where he allowed one run or less and received no run support. Greinke finished the season with a major-league leading 2.16 ERA. Just another case of great talent with no support. Rounding out the top five were Justin Verlander of Detroit, CC Sabathia of New York and Roy Halladay of Toronto, respectively.

Rookies of the Year also handed out

The AL ROY went to the Oakland A’s Andrew Bailey who racked up 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA. Bailey led Elvis Andrus, Rick Porcello, Jeff Niemann and Gordon Beckham in voting. The NL ROY was given to Florida Marlin’s Chris Coghlan who hit .321 with nine home runs and 31 doubles in only 128 games. He scored 84 runs and had 47 RBI. Coghlan beat out J.A. Happ, Tommy Hanson, Andrew McCutchen and Casey McGehee for the award.