Spring Training is starting and it is time to bring out my MLB Predictions!

Here is the AL Central:

1. Detroit Tigers 

The Detroit Tigers loaded up there lineup this off-season with Miguel Cabrera, Jaque Jones, and Edgar Renteria.  Getting 27 outs against this team must be a pitcher's nightmare.  So, the lineup is all set, let's look at the pitching.  They have All-Star Justin Verlander, an inconsistent Nate Robertson, a Jeremy Bonderman who had a 14+ ERA in the second half of last season, an aging Kenny Rogers, and Dontrelle Willis who had a 5.17 ERA last year.  Uh oh.  There bullpen isn't much better.  After being towards the bottom of bullpen ERA last year, their two best relievers, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, are injured and Detroit did little to improve it other than aquiring Denny Bautista from the Colorado Rockies.  An offense with as much talent as the Tigers do have might not be enough if the pitchers don't find their old selves and the bullpen doesn't do the work they should.  The pitching has a chance, the bullpen?  Just ask 40-year old closer Todd Jones who had a 3.50+ ERA last year.

Grade: A

2. Cleveland Indians

You always have to go high with the returning division champion, right?  Thats the way I'm approaching it.  The Indians made no major off-season pick-ups and this could hurt them.  After Detroit made the Renteria deal, the fans were waiting and . . . no move.  After the Cabrera-Willis trade, the fans waited and . . . no move again.  At least their pitching is set with C.C. Sabithia and Fausto Carmona but their offense is somewhat unstable.  Grady Sizemore was the only star on the team last year.  Also, Travis Hafner had a terrible year and played waaaaaaay under expectations.  They also have four non-worthy starting players all fighting for two outfield positions - Jason Tyner, Franklin Gutteriez, Shin-Soo Choo, and David Delluchi.  Ooooh, who will win the position battle.  Quite frankly, who cares?

Grade: B+

3. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox improved their lineup quite a bit in this off-season aquiring Francisco Cabrera, a .333 hitter from the Los Angeles Angels, and Nick Swisher, an outfielder from the Oakland Atheletics.  The White Sox know that they are going to get a .300+ BA year from Cabrera and 20+ homeruns from Swisher but the rest of the offense is questionable.  Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, and Jemraine Dye all have seen drop offs in their batting averages and a bit of a drop in their power numbers and not one player on the Sox hit over .275!  Yes, .275!!!  They had a team batting average of .246!!  The pitching will have to improve to take the Sox in the playoffs but I don't know if Mark Buehlre, Jose Contreras, or Gavin Floyd are ready to make that step yet.

Grade: B-

4. Minnesota Twins

Many people are saying that because Johan Santana left, the Minnesota Twins will have a terrible year.  But while one great pitcher is moving out, another great pitcher is moving back in.  That's right, Francisco Liriano.  Francisco Liriano has tons of talent but hasbeen baffled by injuries in the past few years.  Still, the offense must improve.  In 2006, the Twins had 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau and 2006 AL Batting Crown Champion Joe Mauer.  Last year, they had a huge disapointment and a drop offf of about .60 BA points, respectivly.  None of the other Twins players can change the terrible offense.  Delmon Young is a good young player but won't be a majoy threat until abou two years.

Grade C+

5. Kansas City Royals 

The Kansas City Royals are growing up.  Ryan Shealy and Alex Gordon should see a huge increase in his stats and Gil Meche should find it easier to live up to his contract with a better offense thanks to the pick-up of Jose Vidro, a fantastic hitter.  The Royals won't be in contention this year, and not in another five years but once their youngsters grow up, they should be great.

Grade: C-