1. Detroit Tigers
The best lineup in the MLB and a Top-notch pitching staff. When Jacque Jones and Marcus Thames platooning in LF is your weakest spot in the lineup and Verlander and Bonderman lead off the rotation you start the season as a World Series favorite. They are not without their problems. Without Zumaya their bullpen isn't very strong and some of their stars are aging. Players like Pudge, Ordonez, and Sheffield should still have enough in the tank to produce. Miguel Cabrera in this lineup should explode and put up .340 30hr and 140 rbi's and show why he is the best young hitter in the game.
2. Cleveland Indians
The team had a wonderful year last year, but didn't upgrade over the off-season. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem but the Tigers added so much that it becomes a problem. They still have a solid lineup with Hafner, Sizemore, VMart and Peralhta but it does have holes with Dellucci and Gutierrez corner infielders. They have a good top of the rotation with Sabathia and Carmona but it significantly drops off with Byrd and Laffey. The bullpen is atrocious with Betacourt the only solid reliever and Borowski a mediocre closer at best. Overall, they have a very talented team and should compete for the wild card but they have too many holes to compete with the Tigers.
3. Minnesota Twins
While losing Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Carlos Silva would seem like a move to start over and rebuild, but that isn't the case. While they won't compete for the division it isn't out of the realm of possibilities that they will improve on last year. Their lineup which was their weakness should be improved with Mauer, Morneau, Young, and Cuddyer forming a middle of the lineup that can compete with anyone. The also seemed to upgrade the infield with Lamb and Brenden Harris. Their main issue will be whether their legion of pitching prospects develop and settle into the rotation. They still have one if not the best bullpen in the majors. If Liriano stays healthy and return to form and Baker and Bonser turn into solid starters they will be above .500 and could possibly challenge Cleveland for 2nd.
4. Chicago White Sox
This team is heading in the wrong direction. They won the world series with small ball but they have reverted to form and their lineup consists of players that can hit 40 hrs but will struggle to bat above .250. After Cabrera the next highest batting average is Jim Thome at .275 and he is 37. They will hit a lot of solo home runs. Their ptiching staff is getting old quick. Buehle and Contreas have seen better days and besides Jenks their bullpen isn't very strong. They also have Ozzie Guillen who seems to have lost the clubhouse.
5. Kansas City Royals
They barely deserve a mention as finishing last is a annual activity. They have some solid hitters in Gordon, Butler and Teahan. The problem is they have way too many holes in the rest of the linueup and bullpen. Meche and Greinke are solid pitchers. The plus side is they shouldn't get 100 losses but they are still a ways from passing the White Sox.
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