Navigating The AL Central’s Competitive Landscape

Well, Yankees fans didn’t take kindly to being in second place in the AL East in the last edition. Sometimes the truth hurts. I am a Yankees fan, but this Orioles team will be the one to beat until proven otherwise.

While the AL East will be a slobber knocker all season, minus the Red Sox, don’t expect the AL Central to be the same. It’ll be a race to see which team can finish just above mediocre. There are some great individual players in this division like Bobby Witt Jr., Pablo López, José Ramirez, and more, but I’m not sold on the collection of any one of these units to do damage this season. Let’s dive into the additions, subtractions, and projected standings for these teams.

Additions: Justin Topa, Carlos Santana, Anthony DeSclafani
Subtractions: Kenta Maeda, Emilio Pagán, Michael Taylor, Donovan Solano, Sonny Gray, Jorge Polanco
Why? It’ll be the Twins division to lose, but that speaks more to the lackluster competition in the division than the dominance the Twins will have. While the Twins have some good pieces, I don’t expect this team to make any real noise when it matters.

Additions: Austin Hedges, Estevan Florial
Subtractions: Kole Calhoun, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López
Why: There are no glaring holes in this lineup, and they're a good defensive team. I expect this team to finish above their 76-win total last year.

Additions: Kenta Maeda, Jack Flaherty, Mark Canha
Subtractions: Eduardo Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera
Why: Detroit has a young team and could have some upside if the cards fall right. This team will likely be around the .500 number.

Additions: Hunter Renfroe, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Will Smith (Back to back to back WS Champ 👀)
Subtractions: Zack Greinke, Matt Duffy, Edward Olivares
Why: While the Royals have had a great offseason, it’ll be hard to make a substantial leap from 56 wins overnight. Hopefully, that recent monster extension for Bobby Witt Jr. sets a trend and isn’t just to get the new stadium vote passed in April.

Additions: Martin Maldonado, Paul DeJong, Nicky Lopez
Subtractions: Tim Anderson, Mike Clevinger, Elvis Andrus
Why: There’s nothing good happening here if we’re being honest. The best case is they trade Dylan Cease for a killer return and prep for ‘25.

Happy 21st Birthday to Jasson Dominguez! In his first at-bat in a Yankees uniform, he sent a tater off none other than Justin Verlander. If you hit a homer off Justin Verlander in a big league game, you should be allowed to drink alcohol, something seems off there.

If you’re a Martian fan, look out for his rookie cards in Topps Series 1 debuting on the 14th. Hopefully, he has a strong bounce back after getting Tommy John in September.