Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:
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Kansas City Royals
2015: 95-67, first place, World Series champions.
Manager: Ned Yost (seventh season).
He's Here: RHP Ian Kennedy, RHP Joakim Soria.
He's Outta Here: RHP Greg Holland, 2B-OF Ben Zobrist, RHP Johnny Cueto, RF Alex Rios, RHP Ryan Madson, LHP Franklin Morales, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, LF Jonny Gomes.
Projected Lineup: SS Alcides Escobar (.257, 3 HRs, 47 RBIs, 17 SBs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.307, 16, 72, 28 SBs), 1B Eric Hosmer (.297, 18, 93), DH Kendrys Morales (.290, 22, 106), 3B Mike Moustakas (.284, 22, 82), C Salvador Perez (.260, 21, 70), LF Alex Gordon (.271, 13, 48), 2B Omar Infante (.220, 2, 44), RF Paulo Orlando (.249, 7, 27).
Rotation: RH Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55), RH Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08), RH Ian Kennedy (9-15, 4.28 with Padres), RH Chris Young (11-6, 3.06), RH Kris Medlen (6-2, 4.01).
Key Relievers: RH Wade Davis (8-1, 0.94, 17/18 saves), RH Kelvin Herrera (4-3, 2.71), RH Joakim Soria (3-1, 2.85, 23/26 with Tigers and Pirates), LH Danny Duffy (7-8, 4.08), RH Luke Hochevar (1-1, 3.73).
Hot Spot: Starting Rotation. Volquez surpassed 200 innings and proved to be a durable, consistent starter last season, but the rest of the rotation is a mixture of underwhelming or unproven quantities. Ventura has shown the makings of a star but has been inconsistent, while Kennedy is hoping to rebound from a subpar season in San Diego by reuniting with former Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland. Young is a soft-tossing righty whose workload must be monitored, while Medlen hopes to have a solid full season after a second Tommy John surgery. If things fall apart, heralded prospect Kyle Zimmer is a potential midseason call-up.
Outlook: Sure, the Royals have questions in their rotation. But signing Gordon to a $72 million, four-year deal means virtually their entire lineup from last year's World Series championship is back. And that means not only balanced production but one of the game's best defenses, one that made marvelous plays at every turn to beat the New York Mets in five games for the title. Throw in one of the game's deepest bullpens, anchored by Davis, and folks in Kansas City believe their team can make a run to its third consecutive World Series.
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Minnesota Twins
2015: 83-79, second place.
Manager: Paul Molitor (second season).
He's Here: DH Byung Ho Park, C John Ryan Murphy, LHP Fernando Abad.
He's Outta Here: RF Torii Hunter, CF Aaron Hicks, RHP Blaine Boyer, RHP Mike Pelfrey, LHP Brian Duensing, C Chris Herrmann.
Projected Lineup: 2B Brian Dozier (.236, 28, 77), 1B Joe Mauer (.265, 10, 66), RF Miguel Sano (.269, 18, 52 in 80 games), 3B Trevor Plouffe (.244, 22, 86), LF Eddie Rosario (.267, 13, 50), DH Byung Ho Park (.343, 53, 146 for Nexen Heroes in Korean Baseball Organization), SS Eduardo Escobar (.262, 12, 58), C Kurt Suzuki (.240, 5, 50), CF Byron Buxton (.209, 2, 6 in 46 games).
Rotation: RH Ervin Santana (7-5, 4.00 in 17 starts), RH Kyle Gibson (11-11, 3.84, team-high 194 2-3 IP), RH Phil Hughes (11-9, 4.40, MLB-most 29 HRs allowed in 155 1-3 IP), LH Tommy Milone (9-5, 3.92), RH Ricky Nolasco (5-2, 6.75 in 37 1-3 IP).
Key Relievers: LH Glen Perkins (3-5, 3.32, 32/35 saves), RH Kevin Jepsen (1-1, 1.61, 10 saves in 28 IP after being acquired from Tampa Bay), RH Trevor May (8-9, 4.00 in 114 2-3 IP), RH Casey Fien (4-6, 3.55), LH Fernando Abad (2-2, 4.15 in 62 games with Oakland).
Hot Spots: Outfield and Bullpen. The Twins have a wealth of young talent in the outfield, with top prospects Max Kepler and Adam Walker rising up the ranks behind Buxton, Rosario and Sano, the burly slugger who will have a tough test in his transition to the tricky corner of Target Field. With Mauer and Plouffe at the corner infield spots and the significant investment in Park, the Korean import facing his own challenge with the adjustment to major league pitching, the Twins had to find a place for Sano to play. Buxton was overwhelmed at the plate last year and needs to show his skills transcend elite speed. Perkins is back in the closer role after a rough second half, confident he's in better condition to avoid another late-summer fade and the back and neck problems that contributed to it. Jepsen was a big boost after arriving in a deadline-day deal. He and May, who is still considered a long-term starter, will need to lock down the seventh and eighth innings.
Outlook: The Twins were one of baseball's biggest surprises last year behind their widely respected rookie manager Molitor and a much-deeper rotation that combined for a 4.14 ERA that ranked 16th in the majors. Twins starters were last in 2014, last in 2013 and second-to-last in 2012. The starting five has the potential to be even better in 2016, with a full season from Santana, who was suspended for the first half of 2015, and an improvement from a slimmed-down Hughes, whose uncanny career statistics have produced solid performances in even-numbered years and not-so-good ones in the odd seasons. The Twins could also use a bounce-back from Mauer, the three-time AL batting champ who hasn't been the same since a concussion in 2013 forced him out from behind the plate. The team's first postseason appearance in six years is a possibility if young outfielders Buxton, Rosario and Sano take more steps forward and Park's transition is smooth.
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Cleveland Indians
2015: 81-80, third place.
Manager: Terry Francona (fourth season).
He's Here: 3B Juan Uribe, 1B Mike Napoli, OF Rajai Davis, OF Collin Cowgill, RHP Joba Chamberlain, RHP Craig Stammen, RHP Dan Otero, OF Marlon Byrd.
He's Outta Here: INF Mike Aviles, OF Ryan Raburn, RHP Scott Atchison, OF Michael Bourn, OF Nick Swisher, OF Chris Johnson, LHP Marc Rzepczynski.
Projected Lineup: 2B Jason Kipnis (.303, 9, 52, career highs in hits, average, doubles, OBP), SS Francisco Lindor (.313, 12, 51 in 99 games; league-high .345 average in second half), LF Michael Brantley (.310, 15, 84, league-leading 45 doubles), 1B Mike Napoli (.224, 18, 50 for Red Sox and Rangers; batted .295 in 35 games for Texas), DH Carlos Santana (.231, 19, 85; 2nd in AL with 108 walks), C Yan Gomes (.231, 12, 45; missed 37 games with knee injury), 3B Juan Uribe (.253, 14, 43 for Dodgers, Braves, Mets), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.280 3, 21; 5 assists in 52 games in outfield), CF Rajai Davis (.258, 8, 30, 18 steals for Tigers).
Rotation: RH Corey Kluber (9-16, 3.49, 245 Ks), RH Carlos Carrasco (14-12, 3.63, 216 Ks), RH Danny Salazar (14-10, 3.45; 7-2 at home), RH Cody Anderson (7-3, 3.05 in 15 starts as rookie), RH Josh Tomlin (7-2, 3.02; began season on DL following shoulder surgery).
Key Relievers: RH Cody Allen (2-5, 2.99, 34/38 saves), RH Bryan Shaw (3-3, 2.95, 74 games), RH Jeff Manship (1-0, 0.92), RH Trevor Bauer (11-12, 4.55, AL-high 79 walks), RH Zach McAllister (4-4, 3.00, 61 games), RH Joba Chamberlain (0-2, 4.88 in 36 games for Tigers and Royals), RH Dan Otero (2-4, 6.75 with Athletics).
Hot Spot: Offense. Too often, the Indians wasted solid pitching performances last season because they didn't score enough. Cleveland ranked 11th in the AL in runs, averaging just more than 4.1 per game, and 13th in homers (141). Both of those statistics must improve and Santana, the enigmatic switch-hitting slugger, could be the key. Blessed with an incredible eye, Santana was second in the AL in walks last season, but the Indians need him to provide more power. He's capable of hitting 30 or more homers — he's twice hit 27 in a season — and Francona can move him around in the order. Napoli's arrival should bolster the middle of the lineup, and Davis gives the Tribe some added speed at the bottom. Brantley and Chisenhall will start the season on the disabled list.
Outlook: Brimming with young talent and one of baseball's best rotations, the Indians could be the AL's sleeper. They shook off another poor start in 2015 and Francona had them in the playoff hunt until the final week. The Indians appear poised to take the next step. Kluber may have had the best 16-loss season in history last year. He tied for first in the league in complete games, finished second in innings and third in strikeouts. He was doomed by a lineup that scored just 82 runs in his 32 starts, mustering two or fewer 21 times. Brantley worked hard to get back from offseason shoulder surgery and hopes to stay healthy after dealing with a variety of medical issues in '15. The club made a mistake in not having Lindor on the 25-man roster from the start last season, but he's implanted on the left side of the infield and is on the verge of stardom. Gomes is one of the league's most overlooked players and could have a huge year. If the Indians hit, and that's a big IF, they will likely challenge for at least a wild-card spot.
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Chicago White Sox
2015: 76-86, fourth place.
Manager: Robin Ventura (fifth season).
He's Here: 3B Todd Frazier, 2B Brett Lawrie, SS Jimmy Rollins, OF Austin Jackson, RHP Mat Latos, C Dioner Navarro, C Alex Avila.
He's Outta Here: DH-1B Adam LaRoche, SS Alexei Ramirez, RHP Jeff Samardzija.
Projected Lineup: OF-DH Adam Eaton (.287, 14, 56), LF-DH Melky Cabrera (.273, 12, 77), 1B Jose Abreu (.290, 30, 101), 3B Todd Frazier (.255, 35, 89 with Cincinnati), CF Austin Jackson (.267, 9, 48 with Mariners and Cubs), RF-DH Avisail Garcia (.257, 13, 59), 2B Brett Lawrie (.260, 16, 60), C Alex Avila (.191, 4, 13 with Detroit) or Dioner Navarro (.246, 5, 20), SS Jimmy Rollins (.224, 13, 41 with Dodgers) or Tyler Saladino (.225, 4, 20).
Rotation: LH Chris Sale (13-11, 3.41, AL-leading 274 Ks, 42 BBs), LH Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.36), LH Carlos Rodon (9-10, 4.13), RH Mat Latos (4-10, 4.95 with Marlins, Dodgers and Angels), LH John Danks (7-15, 4.71).
Key Relievers: RH David Robertson (6-5, 3.41, 34/41 saves), RH Jake Petricka (4-3, 3.63), LH Zach Duke (3-6, 3.41), RH Zach Putnam (3-3, 4.07), LH Dan Jennings (2-3, 3.99), RH Nate Jones (2-2, 3.32).
Hot Spots: Locker Room and Front Office. The biggest concern coming out of spring training is a divide in the clubhouse as well as between some players and management in the wake of LaRoche retiring after being told by executive Ken Williams to cut back on his 14-year-old son's access around the team. Sale and Eaton were among the players publicly backing LaRoche, with Sale even saying Williams lied to the team.
Outlook: The White Sox were enjoying a rather quiet offseason before the big blowup. They were hoping LaRoche would bounce back after struggling in a big way last season — his first in Chicago. They were banking on more consistency from some of the other players whose arrival a year ago sparked high expectations, such as Cabrera and Robertson. And they were confident that Frazier's arrival would fill a big hole at third base they had been trying to plug for years. The biggest question now is whether they can put the LaRoche saga behind them. If they do and get the production they expect from certain players, the White Sox believe they can get back to winning after three losing seasons.
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Detroit Tigers
2015: 74-87, fifth place.
Manager: Brad Ausmus (third season).
He's Here: LF Justin Upton, RHP Jordan Zimmermann, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Mark Lowe, LHP Justin Wilson, CF Cameron Maybin, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, SS Mike Aviles.
He's Outta Here: OF Rajai Davis, C Alex Avila, RHP Alfredo Simon, RHP Joe Nathan, RHP Al Alburquerque, C Bryan Holaday.
Projected Lineup: 2B Ian Kinsler (.296, 11, 73), LF Justin Upton (.251, 26, 81, 19 SBs with San Diego), 1B Miguel Cabrera (MLB-leading .338, 18, 76 in 119 games), DH Victor Martinez (.245, 11, 64 in 120 games), RF J.D. Martinez (.282, 38, 102), 3B Nick Castellanos (.255, 15, 73), C James McCann (.264, 7, 41), SS Jose Iglesias (.300, 2, 23), CF Anthony Gose (.254, 5, 26, 23 SBs).
Rotation: RH Justin Verlander (5-8, 3.38), RH Jordan Zimmermann (13-10, 3.66 with Washington), RH Anibal Sanchez (10-10, 4.99), RH Mike Pelfrey (6-11, 4.26 with Minnesota), RH Shane Greene (4-8, 6.88).
Key Relievers: RH Francisco Rodriguez (1-3, 2.21, 38/40 saves with Milwaukee), RH Mark Lowe (1-3, 1.96, 1 save with Seattle and Toronto), LH Justin Wilson (5-0, 3.10 with Yankees), RH Alex Wilson (3-3, 2.19, 2 saves).
Hot Spot: Starting Rotation. The unit has slipped badly since the Tigers were running Verlander, Max Scherzer and David Price out to the mound during the 2014 stretch drive. Verlander pitched better toward the end of last season, providing hope that improved health can help him look more like an ace again. Sanchez, however, is coming off a season in which he gave up a career-high 29 home runs. The addition of Zimmermann should help, but the back end of the rotation still raises plenty of questions.
Outlook: After four straight division titles, the Tigers dropped to last place in 2015, and their response was an offseason of big spending under new general manager Al Avila. The signings of Upton and Zimmermann gave Detroit two more big names, but the health of players like Cabrera, Verlander and Victor Martinez will probably be crucial. The Tigers hope this is finally the year when their bullpen can be a strength after they acquired Rodriguez, Lowe and Justin Wilson to fill critical roles. Iglesias and J.D. Martinez gave Detroit a much-needed boost last season when a lot of other things went wrong.
