The American League Central is the latest division to go under the microscope as we look at each team’s ins and outs so far this offseason.
Detroit Tigers
Detroit have made several low-key roster decisions so far, picking up their 2012 option on closer Jose Valverde, re-signing infielder Ramon Santiago and adding former Cardinal Octavio Dotel to their bullpen.
These moves could just be the start for the Tigers, as there’s a feeling that they are on the verge of swinging a significant trade. The rumours suggest that the team is open to trading their highly-touted pitching prospect Jacob Turner if the right ‘win now’ player could be obtained.
Detroit are not struggling for starting pitchers as reigning Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander heads a staff that will once again include Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, but adding another quality starter would unquestionably make them stronger.
As we shall see, none of their division rivals have made obvious strides in improving their rosters so far, so the Tigers don’t need to make major changes to compete again in the AL Central in 2012. However, winning the AL Central isn’t their ultimate goal and an addition or two may be needed if they are to go deep into the postseason. Expect General Manager Dave Dombrowski to make another deal or two if he can.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians made their big move during the 2011 season when they traded for Ubaldo Jimenez, sending pitching prospects Alex White and Drew Pomeranz to the Rockies in the process.
Consequently they are not really in a position to make another major trade, at least not without giving up someone else who would be a key contributor in 2012, and they are making smaller deals such as signing veteran starter Derek Lowe from the Braves and outfielder Aaron Cunningham from the Padres.
Jim Thome will not be returning to Cleveland this season as he is following up his brief return to the Indians at the end of the 2011 season by going back to another former team in the Philadelphia Phillies. One player who will be back, though, is Grady Sizemore. The Indians declined their original $8.5m 2012 option on the player, but came to terms on a one-year deal worth a basic $5m that could be worth up to $9m depending on appearance and performance bonuses.Â
Chicago White Sox
Half way through the offseason, we’re none-the-wiser as to whether the White Sox are sticking, twisting or walking away from the playoff-contender table for a few years.
General Manager Kenny Williams has talked about “re-tooling†to start the post-Ozzie Guillen era and seeing Mark Buehrle leave as a free agent, while trading away closer Sergio Santos and outfielder Carlos Quentin, would suggest that the White Sox are taking stock before mounting a fresh challenge in a couple of years’ time.
However, that approach doesn’t obviously tally with signing pitcher John Danks to a five-year/ $56m contract extension.Â
Maybe Kenny Williams doesn’t want to lumber rookie manager Robin Ventura with a complete rebuilding job so wants to keep some good players around, particularly someone like Danks who could still be an effective member of a contending White Sox team three years down the line. It’s also fair to point out that the White Sox aren’t at the bottom of the financial lists, so don’t necessarily need to choose from the binary options of contending now or completely blowing the roster up.
However, they appear to be dangling between two stools. They don’t appear close to adding anyone significant to the roster so contending won’t be a given, and their farm system is rated by many as one of the worst in baseball.  It looks like a case of hoping for an almighty rebound from Adam Dunn after his disastrous 2011 season, Gordon Beckham to recapture anywhere close to his rookie form, and for players like Jake Peavy to stay healthy and productive.Â
Kansas City Royals
The Royals are mainly doing exactly what they should be doing: leaving space for their multitude of talented youngsters to continue to develop at the Big League level with the possibility of a Rays-like run of contending after years in the wilderness.
It makes sense to add a few experienced players along the way, particularly to help protect the young arms from overuse. Bruce Chen has been re-signed as an innings-eating option, while Jonathan Sanchez was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants for the expendable Melky Cabrera. Jonathan Broxton is another useful free agent addition who can try to earn a multi-year contract (likely with another team) by having a strong 2012 as a set-up man for Joakim Soria.
The reasoning behind bringing back Yuniesky Betancourt is less clear – he was seen as the bitter pill the Brewers had to swallow as part of acquiring Zack Greinke one year ago – but Royals fans would feel all at sea if there wasn’t at least one confounding move by their team.  Overall, they can feel quite content with how their offseason has gone to this point.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins were an almighty disappointment in 2011 and General Manager Bill Smth apparently took the blame, moving aside and curiously being replaced by his predecessor Terry Ryan.
Minnesota mainstays Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan and Jason Kubel have all departed as free agents (fellow free agent Matt Capps has signed a new contract to stay with the Twins). Josh Willingham will partly replace Cuddyer and Kubel after he was signed on a three-year contract, while Jamey Carroll fits the scrappy Twins profile and Jason Marquis adds another veteran arm to the Twins rotation.
The injuries suffered by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau were a significant reason why the Twins plummeted to the AL Central cellar, so it’s tempting to suggest the team will immediately be improved with their return. However, 2011 wasn’t the first year both missed significant time and ideally the Twins would like another solid back-up option or two to cover for them if needed in 2012.
