Ranking AL Central offseason moves

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 29, 2008 - 2:47 PM

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1. Indians They had a quiet offseason while the Twins were losing stars and the Tigers were adding to their stockpile. But Cleveland has the key pieces back from a team that went 96-66 and grabbed a 3-1 lead in the AL Championship Series before choking against the Red Sox. Cleveland has the best 1-2 pitching punch in the division, with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Japanese righthander Masa Kobayashi should strengthen an already strong bullpen, and Travis Hafner batted only .266 with 24 home runs last year. Imagine what happens if he reverts to form.

2. Tigers After reaching the World Series in 2006, they were the favorites last year but finished eight games behind Cleveland, at 88-74. Now, the Tigers are trying to buy a championship, just as GM Dave Dombrowski did with the Marlins in 1997. He not only traded for Florida superstars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, he acquired Jacque Jones and Edgar Renteria. But this experiment will fail if the Tigers can't stay healthy. They already have injuries to Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney and Curtis Granderson.

3. Twins Some will view the losses of Torii Hunter and Johan Santana and study the various additions -- namely new Opening Day starter Livan Hernandez -- and assume this team has thrown in the towel. Francisco Liriano looks rusty coming off elbow surgery, and the rotation is filled with a bunch of what's-their-names. But the lineup should score more runs, and the bullpen is a quiet strength. This team could start slow and finish strong, though the two teams ahead of the Twins will leave them in the dust.

4. White Sox They looked intriguing heading into spring training after adding a shortstop (Orlando Cabrera), a center fielder (Nick Swisher), an outfield prospect (Carlos Quentin) and two setup relievers (Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel). But second baseman Danny Richar is hurt. Third baseman Joe Crede looked awful at the plate this spring after returning from his back injury. And considering the starting pitching questions this team has with Jose Contreras, John Danks and Gavin Floyd, it's scary to think its next best alternative is recently demoted Tomo Ohka.

5. Royals This is definitely a team to watch with designated hitter Billy Butler and third baseman Alex Gordon poised to blossom as second-year big-leaguers. New manager Trey Hillman spent the past five years in Japan, guiding the Nippon Ham Fighters, and his focus on fundamentals drew comparisons to Tom Kelly this spring. If the pitching staff comes together behind Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke and prospect Luke Hochevar, the Royals could bypass the White Sox and Twins. And if that happens, it might not be a one-year fad.

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