Sporting News 2014 baseball preview

Prediction: 4th AL Central

Central winner: Detroit

Wild-card team: Kansas City

They say: "Even with the additions of Nolasco and Hughes atop the starting rotation, all signs point toward the Twins finishing no better than fourth for the fourth straight season. There are still too many holes on the roster and, while it's smart to move Joe Mauer to first base, he needs more help in the lineup."

Lindy's 2014 baseball preview

Prediction: 5th AL Central

Central winner: Detroit

Wild-card team: Kansas City

They say (from Scout's Take): "Their rotation was a joke last year. They had guys throwing fastballs below hitting speed. It looked like BP some nights. They should be a little better this year, but it's a second-division rotation. Detroit will fatten up on them again."

Athlon 2014 baseball preview

Prediction: 5th AL Central

Central winner: Detroit

They say: "After bolstering their rotation, the Twins are closer to competing again in the American League Central but recognize that their true return to prominence won't come until top-shelf prospects such as Byron Buxton, [Miguel] Sano and [Alex] Meyer begin to arrive. … Mauer's prime years are being wasted.''

A sampling elsewhere

"Unless you think Jason Kubel and Kurt Suzuki are saviors, the Twins did little to improve an offense than ranked 25th in the majors in runs scored and 23rd in slugging percentage. The revamped rotation might be better, but don't expect any miracles.'' — SI.com

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"It's good that the Twins overhauled the rotation, but it's still a middling group. As well, the offense will be downright bad, and the defense last season was among the AL's worst when it came to converting batted balls into outs." — Dayn Perry, CBSsports.com

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"While they may not be 100-loss material, the 64-68-win range is probably the way to go." — Sporting Charts.com