Season Predictions: AL Central

Though the Chicago White Sox repeated last year, it's not a sure bet that they'll do the same in 2009 and especially in the AL's version of the NL West.  Ok, maybe it's not that bad, but you get where I'm going with that.

When you look at the White Sox, their rotation as well as their offense, they look like a team that could be poised to repeat in 2009. 

You look at guys like Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski leading their offense, not to mention a young shortstop by the name of Alexei Ramirez who had a great first season in Chicago (.290/21/77) in 2008.

As far as the rotations around the AL Central, I think Chicago is the strongest their too, although Cleveland adding Kerry Wood as their closer should really help them out, but it won't be enough.

My one surprise has to be the Detroit Tigers, and I don't mean in a good way either.  After landing Marlins' left-hander Dontrelle Willis and third baseman Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers were the odds on favorite to win the division. 

After all the talk and all the preseason hype, the Tigers would go on to finish dead last (74-88) last season, a major disappointment in what was supposed to be a run to another World Series appearance. 

Unfortunately for the Tigers, it's not going to get much better in 2009. There are more questions than answers, especially with their starting rotation as well as their bullpen.  Their only certainties are ace Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera and outfielder Magglio Ordonez. 

With those three guys, you know what to expect, but with left-hander Dontrelle Willis, right-hander Joel Zumaya and right-hander Jeremy Bonderman starting the year on the Disabled List, it's not exactly how Detroit was hoping to start their season.

My team to watch has to be the Minnesota Twins.  I know they no longer have Johan Santana but they will, however, have young right-hander Francisco Liriano back in the rotation. 

Liriano missed the entire 2008 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, whether or not he'll be the same pitcher he was when he first came on the scene is yet to be seen. If he is completely healthy, he can keep this team in the race.

The Twins will have to start the year without catcher Joe Mauer.  He will start the year on the disabled list after undergoing kidney surgery during the offseason. He did catch 100 throws the other day, but is still experiencing pain when he tries to run.

He's not expected to join the team in Minnesota for the start of the 2009 season, instead he will stay behind in Florida to continue his rehab and hopefully return sometime before the end of April.

Prediction:  I'll keep this short and sweet instead of going into more analysis. Detroit just isn't good enough to compete with the White Sox, or the Twins for that matter.  They should finish towards the back of the pack unless there are devastating injuries to the aforementioned teams.

It's all going to come down to whether or now Francisco Liriano can be the ace of the Twins' staff, will he be the kind of pitcher he was before missing the entire 2008 season. If he can be the dominant pitcher he was a few years ago, the White Sox have every reason to look over their shoulder.

AL Central Champions:  Chicago White Sox