Clear As Mud: AL Central Has No Clear Favorite To Start Season

Predictions and guesswork are often considered one of the more addicting aspects of baseball. This season one division in particular provides plenty of debate—the American League Central Division.

Last season the Detroit Tigers boasted one of the most potent lineups in the majors to go with a veteran pitching staff, and Cleveland featured a host of All- Star's and young talent. However, neither of these teams would be contenders in the end.

This fell to the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. These two hated rivals took this division to the second consecutive one-game playoff in the Major Leagues. Though the AL Central's playoff hopes were short-lived, it provided great excitement in September.

After losing Torii Hunter and Johan Santana, the Twins were expected to sink down to hang with Kansas City at the bottom of the division. Chicago was seen as a team with not enough good pitching. Both teams surprised critics and created much drama.

So what about this season?

The two most improved teams are the Indians and Royals. The Royals did it by adding needed players like Mike Jacobs and are in pursuit of Orlando Hudson. The Indians did this by getting back their injured lineup, not to mention a much improved and Cy Young- winning pitcher in Cliff Lee.

After last season, finishing last place with what was thought to be the best team in the division at season's start, the Tigers lost Ivan Rodriguez and attempted to revamp their pitching by adding starters Armando Galarraga and Edwin Jackson, along with Brandon Lyon as the closer. Detroit will find it harder to win the division and will rely even more on the heavily-invested Cabrera and talented veteran Curtis Granderson.

The Twins went from a scrap-heap team after losing Hunter and Santana in the offseason, to a championship contender with rookies and a very youth-oriented pitching staff.

With a year of experience underneath them, the Twins are even more confident, especially with the return of a healthy Francisco Liriano, who may skip the WBC, along with a much- improved bullpen. The Twins main concern is health. Though the club is abundant in young awaiting talent, they would much rather have experience.

They key to the Twins winning a division crown is utilizing their impressive farm system. Often teams suffer injuries, more often to key players than not. With five players able to start in the outfield and Ben Revere coming up, the outfield is no issue. Neither is the infield with utility guys like Brendan Harris and Matt Tolbert. Also, the club has Danny Valencia and Luke Hughes in the minors.

The big concern is to improve a taxed and, in September, unreliable bullpen. With the loss of Pat Neshek for this season, that concern still looms. Jose Mijares blew up on the scene as a potential key set-up guy after he handled and sat down Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, and Jim Thome shortly after being called up.

The Twins signed Luis Ayala from the Mets hoping he can contribute as well. If Matt Guerrier can stay healthy and Jesse Crain's number keep improving, things look promising. Also, Rob Delaney was exceptional last season and if he impresses coaches in spring training, could find himself with an important role in the majors.

After shocking the critics last season and never falling out of contention, along with a lot more experience and proving talent, the Minnesota Twins should have gained enough respect to be placed up as potential favorites to win the division.

The biggest threat has to be Cleveland. Ryan Garko has become a big offensive threat, and the return of Pronk(Travis Hafner) and Victor Martinez and a healthy Fausto Carmona has the Tribe set to avenge a depressing 2008 season.

The Royals appear to be the dark horse that could be a major spoiler as the season goes deeper into September.

One thing is for sure, this year's AL Central will not be the same as last year's AL and NL West divisions. This is setting up to be one of the most competitive divisions in the majors.