2009 MLB Preview: AL Central

The Cleveland Indians have some new faces. Will that help them win the AL Central?

The AL Central in 2008 was home to one of the greatest divisional races in recent memory. The White Sox and Twins ended up playing 163 regular season games to decide who would win the AL Central, which the White Sox won 1-0 on a Jim Thome monster homerun.

What is in store for 2009? Let's have a look.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians have Baseball's best Centerfielder, Grady Sizemore, and Travis Hafner can still hit the ball a mile. The Indians acquired two great players via a trade and I think these two will make a huge difference right away. The first huge addition: Kerry Wood. He comes over from the Chicago Cubs, and I think he instantly upgrades Cleveland's bullpen. He will come in and get saves right away for this team. The second player is Mark DeRosa. He also comes over from the Cubs. When he was in Chicago, he played all over the field. In Cleveland, it looks like he will be set to play third base. The Indians rotation is anchored by last season's AL Cy Young award winner, Cliff Lee. Everyone that follows him in the rotation is a questionmark, however. If the 2 thru 5 guys can pitch like they're capable of, the Indians rotation will be a pleasant surprise this season.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are the defending division champions. The White Sox rotation is anchored by Mark Buehrle, who is still one of the American league's best pitchers. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are capable, young starters. Jose Contreras will work to beat a lineup the slowest way possible, and Bartolo Colon begins this season with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after getting released from the Angels.

Offensively, the White Sox should not strugle in that department. The White Sox will finally get to see a whole full season of Josh Fields, after they released Joe Crede, Alexi Ramirez will continue to impress, as his stroke is almost exactly like Alfonso Soriano's. Chris Getz will be the new second baseman, and Dewayne Wise will play Center Field. Carlos Quentin should be back in full swing this season, and let's not forget about Jermaine Dye in right field. Paul Konerko will play First base, and Jim Thome will launch some homeruns from the Designated Hitter spot.
Detroit Tigers

Times are tough for all things Detroit right now, and that includes the Tigers. The Tigers suprisingly released Gary Sheffield after he wasn't cutting it, and if they fall out of contention early, more may be next. The Tigers are still waiting for Joel Zumaya to get healthy, and for Dontrelle Willis to get back to The D-Train of old.

The Bright spots for Detroit: Curtis Granderson is still one of baseball's best leadoff men. Major League scouts are raving over pitcher Rick Porcello, and Miguel Cabrera is forecasted to have a big season this year.

Expect The Tigers to fight to make it above .500 this season, which sounds a whole lot like what they did last season.

Minnesota Twins


This is the final season that the Minnesota Twins will play inside the Metrodome. The Twins move into the outdoors when they play in Target Field. Francisco Liriano appears to have his good stuff this Spring. He'll be the ace. Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins are capable, and Nick Blackburn could really pitch fantasticly this season. Who will be Minnesota's Fifth Starter?

Offensively, the Twins will get a lot of offense from Justin Morneau. Joe Crede willplay Third base, as he comes over from the Chicago White Sox. Denard Span could have a breakout season this year.

Expect the White Sox and Twins to slug it out for the AL Central title.
Kansas City Royals

This is The Kansas City Royals 40th anniversary. Their rotation is anchored by Gil Meche, followed by Zach Greinke, Kyle Davies was a surprise this season. Was Sidney Ponson just a World Baseball Classic Wonder? The Royals will find that out as he made a slot in the rotation. Horacio Ramirez rounds out the rotation.

The Royals are hoping that Alex Gordon has a much better season this year. Mike Jacobs becomes Kansas City's new first baseman, Mike Avilles will play short, and Alberto Callaspo will play second base.

Don't expect a surpise team out of Kansas City this season.

My Division Prjections:
1. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
They have the pitching, offense, and defense to repeat as division champions.
2. Minnesota Twins
Justin Morneau will be good, as usual, and their pitching looks good this season.
3.Cleveland Indians
Their offense will be there, but their pitching (outside of Cliff Lee) has questionmarks.
4. Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera will have a good season, but the rest of the team will struggle.
5. Kansas City Royals.
They won't compete this year.

In our next MLB Preview. We will look at the AL West. Will Los Angeles repeat as Division Champions? Will Texas Surpise? Will Seattle be competitive? Find out in the next MLB Preview.

Watched The Debuts Of New York's New Ballparks On MLB.TV

I saw the debut of Citi Field and the New Yankee Stadium on MLB.TV yesterday. Both home teams won their openers at the new ballparks, as they should have.
In Citi Field, Francisco Rodriguez got the save in a nailbiter of an exhibition game as the Mets defeated the Red Sox 4-3.




















Robinson Cano hit the first homerun out of New Yankee Stadium,followed by Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom hitting homeruns off of each foul pole, as the Yankees defeated The Cubs 7-4.

Jay Cutler Dealt To Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler finally got his wish: to go elsewhere.

Chicago Bears Fans finally got their wish: A Franchise Pro Bowl Quarterback not seen since the days of that "Punky QB" known as McMahon.

Jay Cutler, the 25 yaer old Pro Bowl Quarterback, grew up a Bears fan, and he will now Quarterback the Chicago Bears next season.

The Bears gave up three first round picks for Cutler, as well as Quarterback Kyle Orton.

ESPN's John Clayton breaks down the deal.


Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka talks about the trade for Cutler.


Who got the better deal in the Jay Cutler trade? Mark Schlereth and Trent Dilfer talk it out.


I don't care how you look at this deal, Chicago gets the better deal. A 25 year old Pro Bowl Quarterback who is in his prime. If the Bears get some receivers then look out!

Ed Werder interviews Jay Cutler.

Denver Broncos Entertaining Cutler Offers

We all knew that Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels were never Best friends from the start, but the situation in Denver went from bad to worse to downright volatile. The situaution has gotten so bad that now Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has publicly said that the Broncos will try to entertain trade offers for Jay Cutler.

Where do Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos go from here? ESPN's John Clayton has more.

Detroit Tigers Release Gary Sheffield

Gary Sheffield was expected to hit his 500th homerun with the Detroit Tigers this season.

Turns out that won't be happening.

The Tigers release Sheffield days before the Detroit Tigers were set to open the new season.

ESPN's Tim Krukjian has more.

MLB Preview: AL East

The 2008 season saw the rise of the Tampa Bay Rays, saw the Red Sox make the playoffs, and saw the Yankees say goodbye to "The House That Ruth Built" as well as miss the playoffs. The Yankees went on a Spending Spree in the offseason, luring CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixiera to the Bronx.

What is in store for 2009? Let's have a look.
NEW YORK YANKEES

the 2009 New York Yankees will open their new ballpark with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Texiera, but they will open the season without Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod had surgery and will miss perhaps a month. When he does return, it will be interesting to see how fans will react now that he has revealed that he took steroids when he was with the Texas Rangers.

This Yankees ballclub will score runs in bunches. A-Rod, Teixiera, Posada, and Brett Gardner will be expected to produce.

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has decided to flip-flop his batting order, batting Derek Jeter leadoff and Johnny Damon second. This is to avoid Jeter from hitting into double plays, and it answers the Trivia question, "Who was the first Yankee to bat in the New Yankee Stadium?"

This Yankees ballclub looks great on paper. Nothing short of a World Series victory will satisfy these fans.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The baltimore Orioles have Nick Markakis, and many other questionmarks. How will Koji Uegara fare in Major League Baseball? For many years he was Japan's second best pitcher, behind Daisuke Mastuzaka. Will Adam Eaton and Rich Hill fare in their new teams? Will Felix Pie finally become consistent?
Expect the Orioles to fight with Toronto for the cellar.
TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Tampa Bay Rays were the Cinderella Story of the 2008 season. They went from Cellar Dweller to American League Champions in just one season. Stars like Evan Longoria and Scott Kazmir shined this past season. David Price starts the Rays season in the bullpen. Expect him to head back to Tampa in May. What will the Rays do for an encore? Looking back on the history of the teams who have lost the World Series, the 2006 Tigers,and the 2007 Rockies have regressed. I am also expecting the Rays to endure a "World Series Hangover." I am not expecting them to finish better than third place this season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Toronto Blue Jays will be stuck in another mediocre season. They will not have much behind Roy Hallday. Vernon Wells and Scott Rolen will be most of the ble Jays offense in 2009.

BOSTON RED SOX

Dustin Pedroia was the smallest man in the Red Sox clubhouse, and he ended up taking home American League MVP Honors. The Red Sox and their rotation are stacked. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Mastuzaka,and Tim Wakefield. Let's not forget about the former Dodger Brad Penny and the longtime Atlanta Brave John Smoltz who is expected to head to Boston in July.

Offensively, Dustin Pedoria and David Ortiz will crush the ball. It will be interesting to see how Jason Bay will do in his first full season in Boston.

My Division Projections
1. NEW YORK YANKEES
With the money spent on this team, they will be expected to win the division. It will be a huge dissapointment if they don't.
2. Boston Red Sox
Their rotation is Scary Good.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Season's AL Champs will encounter a World Series hangover.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Roy Halladay is the team's best player, but he needs a lot of help.
5. Baltimore Orioles
They are still two years away from competing in the AL East.

In our next MLB Preview, we will preview the AL Central. Will The White Sox repeat as division Champions? What will the Twins do in their final season in the Metrodome? How will Kerry Wood and Maek DeRosa help the Indians? Find out in the next MLB Preview.

Kevin Gregg Wins Cubs Closing Duties

Cubs Manager Lou Piniella has named his new closer.

It's Kevin Gregg, who the Cubs acquired from Florida in December.

Carlos Marmol, who was also vying for the closer's job, will remain in his role of set-up man.

Gregg posted a 0.00 ERA through spring, while Marmol 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA along with five hit batters. Marmol also blew a save in the World Baseball Classic against The Netherlands.

Congratulations to Gregg on winning the Cubs closing duties.