Each week leading up to the start of the MLB season, we’ll be taking a look at one division, giving you our projected final standings and one storyline for each squad heading into the 2020 season. F1 Preview to come later this week.
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins:
Twins on top?: For the second straight season, Minnesota will look to win the division title, in what is shaping up to be a close race with the Chicago White Sox from start to finish. However, the team was improved at nearly every position this offseason, and the newcomers will add to what was already a 100+ win team in 2019. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz (41 HRs, 2019), third baseman Miguel Sano (34 HRs, 79 RBI, 2019) and speedy center fielder Byron Buxton will all return to make Minnesota one of the American League’s most efficient offenses. Infielder Josh Donaldson is perhaps the biggest addition, as the 2015 AL MVP signed a four year, 92 million dollar deal to journey to the land of 10,000 lakes and be a part of baseball’s newest elite franchise.
2. Chicago White Sox:
Robert to help restore the Southsiders: As mentioned above, the White Sox and Twins will most likely engage in a fierce battle all season, with one or two victories being the difference between the two talented teams. Both built their teams one way: from the bottom. Following a strategy similar to the Astros and Cubs, the White Sox worked hard to improve their minor league system for years, and the positive effects as a result of it are surfacing right about now. One of the guys that was signed by Chicago early on (at 18 years of age), and moved his way up through the minors, is Luis Robert, an outfielder out of Cuba. He is looking to be the face of the franchise in the coming years, as he has blistering speed on the basepaths, hits for power but also possesses a good eye at the plate. He is truly one of those players that when he steps up to the plate, you never know what might happen. According to Baseball Reference’s simulated stats through yesterday, Robert would be batting .289, with 11 hits, two of them homers. Not bad for a rookie.
3. Cleveland Indians:
Lack of power at the plate?: Once the AL Central started to get better, with teams like the Twins and White Sox actually contending with the Indians for the division title, the Indians lost a little bit of the edge that was evident in their 2016 run to the World Series. Not only that, but no offensive weapons were added this offseason as Francisco Lindor remains the face of the team. Cleveland does have a talented bullpen, and retained 2019 all-star pitcher Shane Bieber, who started 33 games in 2019. However, pitching will only get them so far in a league beginning to be driven by power hitting players and high scoring affairs. With that said, do not be surprised if the Indians have a chance at the wild card by the season’s end.
4. Kansas City Royals:
Mondesi’s speed will help win games, “small ball” style: Small ball is a thing of the past, a strategy of bunts, stolen bases, and hit and runs. However, it could still work for certain teams in today’s game if given the right pieces. The Royals certainly fit the bill, especially with speedy infielder Adalberto Mondesi (fastest home to second base time: 7.89 seconds). Mondesi helped Kansas City steal 117 bases last year, the second most in the AL, and will do the same in 2020. If the Royals rely on Mondesi’s speed, along with Jorge Soler’s home-run hitting (48 in 2019), the offense can help Kansas City best its 2019 record, 59-103.
5. Detroit Tigers:
Infield additions to boost Tigers: Detroit learned from a miserable season last year in which they were the AL’s lowest scoring team. So they went out and added second baseman Jonathan Schoop from Baltimore and first baseman CJ Cron from Los Angeles, both dependable hitters. Schoop hit .256 in 2019 with 23 homers. Cron batted .253 with 25 home runs last season. In the coming years, the Tigers will have built a solid group of minor league pitchers such as 2019 first round pick Casey Mize. Be on the lookout for Detroit to be fighting for the division title by the mid 2020’s.
Special Report: Former MLB 3B Trevor Plouffe released a statement yesterday saying the MLB will start by July 1st with all teams playing at their home stadiums. He cited multiple unnamed sources on his podcast, Talkin’ Baseball, though the MLB has not yet confirmed anything. Fans and players alike are hoping Plouffe is indeed correct, and not one of the many who have released false info regarding the start dates.
"Want some good baseball news?? I just heard from multiple sources that on June 10th, Spring Training 2 will start. July 1st will be Opening Day and all teams will be playing at their home ballparks," Plouffe said on Monday evening during his Talkin' Baseball podcast.
It would be good news indeed. With states like Texas and Florida relaxing their restrictions, there is hope that more states will follow suit and by July at least the majority of teams will be able to play in their home stadiums, not in a localized area like earlier proposals.
It is not known whether this plan would allow fans to attend the games or not.
It is also important to note that other experts such as The Athletic’s Keith Law, have dismissed the rumor as false.
Only time will tell as to whether Plouffe’s sources are correct and the league does begin play at the beginning of July. Plouffe also reported that the MLB would play two weeks of spring training prior to Opening Day.
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