AL Central Preview
Jul 6, 2018 16:52:42 GMT -5
NickP_Marlins GM, Texas Rangers, and 7 more like this
Post by craigWhiteSox on Jul 6, 2018 16:52:42 GMT -5
With the 2047 Season nearing its beginning, it's time to delve in to which teams will emerge as this year's winner of the division. Criteria is 40-man roster strength, prospect depth, and GM reputation.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have put a heavy focus on building from within the organization, they have signed little to no free agents and you could argue to its own detriment. However, another argument could be made that with ownership drastically slashing its budget year after year, not tying up any unnecessary money with hopes of generating profit to please the ownership is a sound way to attack that problem. They also need to keep money available for when their core hitters need to be extended. It's clear Chicago's roster is built towards the strength of its hitting. Steve Guindon, John Ross, and Freddy Rodriguez are legitimate guys to build around. The have a number of high end hitting prospects that could be called upon this season to bolster their already potent line up. Their GM has made shrewd moves but the lack of a track record of success combined with the lack of ML ready arms in their system and lack of starting pitching will keep Chicago from contending for the division title just yet. Prediction: 85-77
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have been the tone setter for the AL Central for years. If you want to gauge your level of contention look no further than how you stack up next to Cleveland. They have a balanced roster of hitting and pitching. I would argue their hitters are the stronger of the two groups though. This team's roster is comprised generally of mid to late 20 something's or early 30 year olds so they are in the midst of their prime run currently. Most of their talent in the organization is already on the 25-man roster but their ability to find talent throughout the years means the system is far from dry. Their GM has a history of producing winning seasons until i'm shown otherwise, i won't bet against them. I don't see any of the other teams over taking Cleveland this season. Prediction: 93-69
Detroit Tigers
Detroit has toiled for years on the "treadmill of baseball". Their legs are moving but they aren't going anywhere, large contracts to Free Agents have left the club with not much monetary flexibility. Surprisingly the organization is stocked with young talent, their 40-man roster is relatively young they just lack high end talent, specifically on the offensive side. Solid young hitters but lacking any sort of middle of the order type guys to contend. A strong group of Minor League players offer a bright future but with the lack of any semblance of success in the last 20 years of the history of the GM there's little to believe it will happen THIS season. Prediction: 71-91
Minnesota Twins
The Twins have done an honorable job building from within and competing for the last few seasons. They have a number of high end hitters and have typical gotten every ounce of ability out of their pitching. However, their inability to manage one of the larger budgets in the league has kept them from competing with the best teams of the American League. They have all of their hitting talent on the 25-man roster and offer lots of solid pitching options but no sure thing #1 or 2 starters. Their lack of talent in the minors could be a hinderance come trade deadline in July. Their GMs have a savvyness that keeps finding the right side of things, this has been enough to make them a top 6 team in the AL but i think they're on the downswing of the pendulum and don't have enough to overtake Cleveland this season.
Prediction: 89-73
The Cleveland Indians remain the favorites for the AL Central for the 2047 season.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have put a heavy focus on building from within the organization, they have signed little to no free agents and you could argue to its own detriment. However, another argument could be made that with ownership drastically slashing its budget year after year, not tying up any unnecessary money with hopes of generating profit to please the ownership is a sound way to attack that problem. They also need to keep money available for when their core hitters need to be extended. It's clear Chicago's roster is built towards the strength of its hitting. Steve Guindon, John Ross, and Freddy Rodriguez are legitimate guys to build around. The have a number of high end hitting prospects that could be called upon this season to bolster their already potent line up. Their GM has made shrewd moves but the lack of a track record of success combined with the lack of ML ready arms in their system and lack of starting pitching will keep Chicago from contending for the division title just yet. Prediction: 85-77
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have been the tone setter for the AL Central for years. If you want to gauge your level of contention look no further than how you stack up next to Cleveland. They have a balanced roster of hitting and pitching. I would argue their hitters are the stronger of the two groups though. This team's roster is comprised generally of mid to late 20 something's or early 30 year olds so they are in the midst of their prime run currently. Most of their talent in the organization is already on the 25-man roster but their ability to find talent throughout the years means the system is far from dry. Their GM has a history of producing winning seasons until i'm shown otherwise, i won't bet against them. I don't see any of the other teams over taking Cleveland this season. Prediction: 93-69
Detroit Tigers
Detroit has toiled for years on the "treadmill of baseball". Their legs are moving but they aren't going anywhere, large contracts to Free Agents have left the club with not much monetary flexibility. Surprisingly the organization is stocked with young talent, their 40-man roster is relatively young they just lack high end talent, specifically on the offensive side. Solid young hitters but lacking any sort of middle of the order type guys to contend. A strong group of Minor League players offer a bright future but with the lack of any semblance of success in the last 20 years of the history of the GM there's little to believe it will happen THIS season. Prediction: 71-91
Minnesota Twins
The Twins have done an honorable job building from within and competing for the last few seasons. They have a number of high end hitters and have typical gotten every ounce of ability out of their pitching. However, their inability to manage one of the larger budgets in the league has kept them from competing with the best teams of the American League. They have all of their hitting talent on the 25-man roster and offer lots of solid pitching options but no sure thing #1 or 2 starters. Their lack of talent in the minors could be a hinderance come trade deadline in July. Their GMs have a savvyness that keeps finding the right side of things, this has been enough to make them a top 6 team in the AL but i think they're on the downswing of the pendulum and don't have enough to overtake Cleveland this season.
Prediction: 89-73
The Cleveland Indians remain the favorites for the AL Central for the 2047 season.