bullssoxbears06

PLEASE READ AND COMMENT!!!

Ok, I broke down each teams starting rotation, bullpen, infield, and outfield/DH, rating each team with either 5 points, 4, 3, 2, or 1 in compatison to the rest of the division. I figured this was the best way to break down the division. I also multiplied the teams point total from  he rotation by 2 since I believe that a teams starting roatation is the most important part of putting together a winning team.

So, without further ado, here it is.

Starting Rotation

• 10 points- Twins- A fully healthy Liriano will be good. Look for Nick Blackburn to have the type of sophmore year John Danks had, and Perkins, Baker, and Slowey make a very nice back end of the rotation.
• 8 points- White Sox- The front end of the rotation is as good as any in baseball, but question marks on the back end (Colon, and who will be the #5), make the rotation incomplete.
• 8 points- Royals- This rotation has the potential and talent to be scary. It all depends on if their younger pitchers (Hochevar, Grienke) can live up to thier potential. No real #1 yet, but a strong rotation 1-5.
• 8 points- Tigers- Verlander is too good to have another season like he had last year, Galarraga will just get better, and Edwin Jackson may have found a place wheres hes wanted. Willis and Bonderman are iffy, tho.
• 2 points- Indians- Sure, Cliff Lee's a stud, but can Carmona throw a strike this year? Aaron Laffey looks promising, but Anthony Reyes and Carl Pavano at the back end? If only Lee could pitch every game.

Bullpen

• 4 points- Royals- The most underrated and one of the most dominant closers in Soria, one of the best leftys in the league in Ron Mahay, but after that, its a steep fall to Kyle Farnsworth.
• 5 points- WHite Sox- If this pen stays healthy, its the best. A lights out closer in Jenks, great setup man in Linebrink, gerat lefty in Thornton, and nice middle reliever in Dotel.
• 4 points- Twins- Joe Nathan is lights out. After that, though, you have alot of guys who are nice, but not guysyou would consider automatic.
• 2 points- Indians- Kerry Wood will be an upgrade, but can he stay healthy? Joe Smith was a nice pickup, and Jensen Lewis is decent.
• 1 point- Tigers- Dont look now, Fernando Rodney just threw one over the backstop.

Infield

• 5 points- Twins- Mauer and Morneau are elite, Casilla will continure to make strides, and Punto and Harris are just tough outs.
• 4 points- White Sox- The Cuban Missle is great and AJ is solid behind the dish, but can Fields fill in for Crede, can Konerko (whos now completely healthy) return to his old form, and whos starting at 2nd base?
• 3 points- Royals- Jacobs is a nice pickup that will add some pop to the order, and Mike Aviles is the most underrated player in this division, but is Alex Gordon finally going to like up to the hype? They dont have a proven 2ndbaseman now that grudz is gone, and dont have a good catcher.
• 3 points- Indians- Mark DeRosa is solid and will finally play one position for a full year which will help his numbers. Garko is OK, but can Victor Martinez, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Johny Peralta return to their 07 forms?
• 3 points- Tigers- Miguel Cabrera is great, but Polanco is aging, Inge is nothing but a "super-sub", and Adam Everett doesnt scare anybody. Dusty Ryan is a good young catcher who I believe will win that job.

Outfield/DH

• 5 points- White Sox- Quentin and Dye are phenominal, and Thome is good for 30-90. Can Jerry Owens be the leadoff man they need?
• 4 points- Royals- DeJesus and Crisp are very good, but can Mark Teahen rebound and can Billy Butler put together a good full season?
• 4 points- Twins- Gomez will only get better, Delmon Young is solid along with Denard Span. But is Cuddyer going to contribute, and can Jason Kubel hit anyone besides the White Sox?
• 2 points- Tigers- They continue to ruin Carlos Guillen by moivng him around. Granderson is solid but need to cut down on Ks, and Sheffield is up there in age. Ordonez is great, but needs a haircut. lol.
• 2 points- Indians- Grady Sizemore is a star, and Ben Francisco is nice, but Choo? and Hafner, will he ever be that 40 hr threat again? .197 wont cut it.

Should be..

1. Twins- 23pts
2. White Sox- 22pts
3. Royals- 19pts
4. Tigers- 14pts
5. Indians- 9pts

Heres my record predictions

1. Twins 86-76...Barely edging out the Sox
2. White Sox 85-78...considering this is a transition year, ill take this
3. Royals 82-80...will be competitive all season
4. Tigers 77-85...at least its an improvement
5. Indians 74-88...that rotation just scares me other than cliff lee

Now, this division can go any way. BAseball prospectus had this division filpped over completey from what I said. This is just my opinion. All in all, it should be an interesing year.