Rating the A.L. Central
1. Cleveland Indians Last year: 102-60, first place (lost to New York Yankees in ALDS)
Key losses: Carlos Santana, Bryan Shaw, Jay Bruce, Austin Jackson Key newcomer: Yonder Alonso Best-case scenario: Alonso builds on an All-Star 2017 and fills the shoes of Santana. The pitching staff remains strong, and Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco continue to take steps forward. Worst-case scenario: Corey Kluber finally shows signs of aging, and the team struggles to replace Santana. Hot prospect: Francisco Mejia is a top catching prospect but also could play third base. 2. Minnesota Twins
Last year: 85-77, second place (lost wild-card game to the Yankees) Key losses: Glen Perkins, Bartolo Colon, Dillon Gee
Key newcomers: Addison Reed, Fernando Rodney, Zach Duke
Best-case scenario: Byron Buxton continues his evolution and makes his first-ever All-Star team, the additions to the pitching staff help out, and the Twins challenge the Indians for the AL Central title. Worst-case scenario: The team can’t match performances that made the Twins’ 2017 year special.
Hot prospect: Left-hander Tyler Jay moved his way up to Double-A by the end of last season. 3. KC Royals
Last year: 80-82, third place Key losses: Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas, Jason Vargas, Trevor Cahill, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Melky Cabrera, Joakim Soria, Scott Alexander, Brandon Moss Key newcomers: Trevor Oaks, Jesse Hahn Best-case scenario: The mass exodus helps the progression of players such as Whit Merrifield.
Worst-case scenario: Losing the likes of Moustakas, Vargas, Hosmer and Cain dampens the spirit of the club, and the Royals finish last in the AL Central.
Hot prospect: Eric Skoglund made his Major League debut in 2017 and could add depth to the rotation. 4. Chicago White Sox
Last year: 67-95, fourth place Key losses: Jake Petricka, Mike Pelfrey Key newcomers: Luis Avilan, Miguel Gonzalez, Welington Castillo
Best-case scenario: Yoan Moncada, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and the rest of Chicago’s top prospects take a leap forward.
Worst-case scenario: Lopez and Giolito regress, Carlos Rodon has injury issues, and the massive rebuild shows signs of cracks.
Hot prospect: The White Sox have a stacked farm system, but with Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert potentially waiting in the wings, right-hander Michael Kopech should be the next man up. 5. Detroit Tigers
Last year: 64-98, fifth place Key losses: Bruce Rondon, Ian Kinsler, Anibal Sanchez Key newcomers: Leonys Martin, Mike Fiers Best-case scenario: The Tigers deal for young talent at the trade deadline, using the veteran pieces remaining on the roster.
Worst-case scenario: The Tigers can’t find value on the open market and are forced to ride of the rest of the year as currently constructed.
Hot prospect: Franklin Perez, one of the key pieces of last season’s Justin Verlander trade, is the gem of the Tigers’ future.