4. Cleveland Indians
A-Level = RF Shin-Soo Choo
B-Level = C Carlos Santana, SP Fausto Carmona
C-Level = SS Asdrubal Cabrera, CF Grady Sizemore, DH Travis Hafner, CL Chris Perez
Ceiling = 75 wins
Floor = 55 wins
Best Case Scenario = Just four years ago, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner were the offensive stars of a team that led the Boston Red Sox three games to one in the ALCS. Since blowing that series lead, both players (and the franchise, and for that matter, the entire city) have been in a huge funk. Both players have dealt with a multitude of injuries. Hafner’s days of being an elite producer are probably over, but if Sizemore can give the team 140 games with 75% of his 2008 ability, it will go a long way in restoring Cleveland to some semblance of relevance (Semblance of Relevance would’ve been a great name for a Nirvana album).
Outlook = I think Cleveland will score some runs, but look for them to struggle with pitching. 63-99 should be the final record.
3. Chicago White Sox
A-Level = DH Adam Dunn
B-Level = 1B Paul Konerko, SS Alexei Ramirez, LF Juan Pierre, CF Alex Rios, RF Carlos Quentin, SP Mark Buehrle, SP Gavin Floyd, SP John Danks, CL Matt Thornton
C-Level = 2B Gordon Beckham, SP Jake Peavy, SP Edwin Jackson, RP Chris Sale
Ceiling = 100 wins
Floor = 70 wins
Best Case Scenario = It’s fitting that a team managed by Ozzie Guillen has the potential to win 100 games or fall on it’s face. Jake Peavy is a former Cy Young winner, but needs to overcome injury woes. Edwin Jackson shows flashes, but needs to develop more consistency. If either Floyd or Danks can make the jump to the A-Level, this team can really take off. Offensively, a breakout season by Gordon Beckham coupled with a comeback year by Carlos Quentin will go along way in stabilizing the lineup.
Outlook = While everything could come together, it’s not likely that it will. Look for 84-78.
2. Minnesota Twins
A-Level = C Joe Mauer
B-Level = 1B Justin Morneau, LF Delmon Young, SP Carl Pavano, SP Francisco Liriano, CL Joe Nathan, RP Matt Capps
C-Level = CF Denard Span, RF Michael Cuddyer, DH Jason Kubel, SP Scott Baker
Ceiling = 95 wins
Floor = 80 wins
Best Case Scenario = What Minnesota was able to accomplish after Joe Nathan and Justin Morneau were lost for the season was remarkable. If those two players return to their pre-injury form, you can add two names to the Twins A-Level talent.
Outlook = Expect Minnesota to be a yearlong contender for both the division and the wildcard. I’ll predict that they win 91 games.
1. Detroit Tigers
A-Level = C Victor Martinez, 1B Miguel Cabrera, SP Justin Verlander
B-Level = RF Magglio Ordonez, SP Max Scherzer, CL Jose Valverde
C-Level = 2B Carlos Guillen, LF Ryan Raburn, CF Austin Jackson, RP Joaquin Benoit
Ceiling = 95 wins
Floor = 80 wins
Best Case Scenario = Obviously the biggest X-factor with Detroit is what they will get out of Miguel Cabrera this year. I personally expect him to go bonkers. Coupled with counseling, baseball should keep Cabrera busy and hopefully away from the bottle. Victor Martinez provides Cabrera with top-flight protection that he has never had. If Max Scherzer makes the jump to the A-Level, Detroit will have the best 1-2 punch in the American League
Outlook = Pencil in Cabrera as the AL MVP, and give the Tigers 92 wins and a narrow division victory over Minnesota.
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