Winter Power Rankings Part 2: AL CENTRAL

[D Backs GM (Tyler)]

Welcome to the AL Central! A lot less clarity in this division than in the AL East. It also seems like the write ups give away a little of what the authors though about those teams (oh well!) and some are a little behind transactions but what are you gonna do? Write ups are from Tyler and Swo and they're noted for each section. As always, tell us why we're wrong in the comments. Enjoy!

Previously on Winter Power Rankings: Overview, AL East

Detroit Tigers - 5th AL CENTRAL (One 3rd, One 4th, Two 5th)
As any Yankee fan can tell you, staying under the salary cap is for sissies. The Tigers have spent lavishly in RFA and FA over the last few years, and while he has a number of quality pieces, he is still on the outside looking in in the AL Central, clearly behind the Indians and Royals. There's some decent assets in the farm system, and if he stays on top of things, and Ivan Nova suddenly turns into Don Drysdale, he could give the AL a run for their money. But more than likely he'll finish in the middle of the league. -Swo

Minnesota Twins - 4th AL CENTRAL (One 3rd, Two 4th, One 5th)
The grade here is really incomplete. As it stands, the'll be at the bottom of the AL Central, but with a whopping 83M to spend in free agency this team could literally do anything depending on how they spend it. Cole/Snell(Ed. note: since traded)/Wood are a decent trio to have under your belt. Adding a front line guy and a couple holders could take up 30-40 mil and then another 40 for a couple MIs and an OF and while thin, they could most definitely move out of the league's basement. So... yeah. At this moment it is not great, but this is a grade of ""incomplete"". -Tyler

Cleveland Indians - 3rd AL CENTRAL (One 2nd, One 3rd, One 4th, One 5th)
As good as the Royals system is, the Indians' system is on another level. The Tribe doesn't appear to be a playoff caliber team this year, although they've surprised before and have a number of quality pieces. Some key additions to the pitching staff would go a long way to a successful 2018 regular season. That said even if the season ends early, the farm system will give the Wahoos something to look build on. -Swo

Chicago White Sox - 2nd AL CENTRAL (Three 2nd, One 3rd)
White Sox are a little above the middle of the road for me. I've got them out of the playoffs by a little ways due in part to a very strong AL. With only 10M to spend to improve the team, and some holes in the "top end talent" area in regards to pitching, I'm not sure what the plan is. That SP market is going to be very competitive this year. The team top to bottom is definitely not bad, they are just lacking that top pitcher or two to bring home a few categories. I'm thinking maybe a trade for a big name and consolidating some talent might do a world of good for them. Owning Kris Bryant is obviously a great start, but lets see a few more quality pitchers. Posey at this point is a big name, but moving forward is not enough to one of a top team's centerpiece. - Tyler

Kansas City Royals - 1st AL CENTRAL (consensus)
Black Kevin again has a quality team (big shocker), but this is not one of his better clubs. The offense will be good, although it probably needs more depth in the OF and the pitching will most likely be significantly augmented when FA hits. But the strength of this team is clearly the farm system. It appears to be a top 5 system with both high quality players and depth. Whether any of those players don the Royals blue (or do they wear black in Chin Music), remains to be seen but regardless the farm is surely the envy of many GMs in the league (3 top 5 picks in the draft certainly helps). -Swo

Next up: AL West (later today)

[White Sox GM (alligatorchris)]

I’d appreciate from now on you refer to me as the Defending Division Champion White Sox.
As my good friend, Rodney Dangerfield once said, “Do you get a bowl of soup with that hat?”
Or maybe he said something about respect, I forget.
Not only will I win this division again but i’ll Be back in the ALCS. I’m guessing you fellas probably think the Eagles are going to win as well.

[D Backs GM (Tyler)]

"I’d appreciate from now on you refer to me as the Defending Division Champion White Sox. "

Noted lol

[Cubs GM (Scott B)]

Those were not my comments FYI. I believe they were SWOs

[White Sox GM (alligatorchris)]

I did the write up last season and had my team in second. We dig the underdog role.

[D Backs GM (Tyler)]

Shit, youre right Scott, my bad.

[White Sox GM (alligatorchris)]

You guys need to swap this up. KC won’t have a single MLB player by the end of this draft.

[Cubs GM (Scott B)]

BK headed into FA like:

[D Backs GM (Tyler)]

There will be an update after free agency. This is how BK always wins, clear roster space and cash and stockpile assets. Sign a ton of good FA with the money he cleared, then consolidate.

[KC Royals GM (Kevin)]

Feb 9, 2018 20:30:31 GMT -5 D Backs GM (Tyler) said:

There will be an update after free agency. This is how BK always wins, clear roster space and cash and stockpile assets. Sign a ton of good FA with the money he cleared, then consolidate.

Somewhat accurate. But this is pretty much a legit rebuild even if it is just a 1-year thing.

My money would be on somebody else to take home the AL Central crown this year. We'll see how fa goes though...

[White Sox GM (alligatorchris)]

Hey guess what? Someone else took the AL central last year. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[KC Royals GM (Kevin)]

Feb 9, 2018 21:37:29 GMT -5 White Sox GM (alligatorchris) said:

Hey guess what? Someone else took the AL central last year. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yeah Yeah you better win your championship this season 😤