Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are ontop of the American League Central division, sitting pretty at 48 - 39. Like the rest of their division (outside of the Indians) the Tigers are looking to add some pieces they think would put them over the top to do big things in the playoffs. With their core of Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Inge, Placido Polanco and Curtis Granderson all having fine seasons (Cabrera = terrific season, the rest are having decent seasons, which brings their grade to a level of fine) and a formidable rotation of Edwin Jackson, Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, the Tigers only glaring weaknesses lie in the back end of their rotation and their bullpen.
I think the Tigers rotation concerns after their big 3 aren't nearly as important as the questions regarding their bullpen. It's SCARY bad. Outside of Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon, the Tigers bullpen is full of troublesome and erratic arms. Even their closer Fernando Rodney has been shakey. Nate Robinson was terrible as a reliever before he was eventually placed on the disabled list. Joel Zumaya can throw the ball 100mph with relative ease, but has no idea where the hell it's going. The pen is a mess and it needs an extreme makeover (God, did I really just make that joke?)
I think the Tigers rotation concerns after their big 3 aren't nearly as important as the questions regarding their bullpen. It's SCARY bad. Outside of Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon, the Tigers bullpen is full of troublesome and erratic arms. Even their closer Fernando Rodney has been shakey. Nate Robinson was terrible as a reliever before he was eventually placed on the disabled list. Joel Zumaya can throw the ball 100mph with relative ease, but has no idea where the hell it's going. The pen is a mess and it needs an extreme makeover (God, did I really just make that joke?)
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox find themselves right in the thick of the AL Central division race, sitting just 3.5 back at 45 - 43. There isn't much that Ozzie Guillen's squad may need to add in order to remain entrenched in the hunt. Having a terrific (contract yeaaaaaar) from Jermaine Dye who has 20 home runs already, on top of the tremendous season Paul Konerko has had, certainly helps the White Sox cause. With Alexei Ramirez finally playing like the Cuban Missile that he is and Gordon Beckham seeming to have grabbed the reigns at third base, Chicago is in fairly good position offensively. If they can get Carlos Quentin back soon and relatively healthy, he would be better than any trade acquisition they may look to receive.
On the pitching side of things, the White Sox bullpen is one of the best around. The set-up of Linebrink, Thornton and Dotel paving the way to get to Jenks, is as good as you'll find in the major leagues. That being said however, the White Sox could certainly look to add another starter. It doesn't necessarily have to be a shut down ace, but someone on the lines of a Jon Garland or a Doug Davis type, who can stabilize the back end of the rotation, since Bartolo Colon has eaten himself out of his talents. With Jose Contreras pitching much better since his recall from the minor leagues and Mark Buerhle continuing to be Mark Buehrle, the Sox may need just one more arm to that rotation to give them the decided advantage.
On the pitching side of things, the White Sox bullpen is one of the best around. The set-up of Linebrink, Thornton and Dotel paving the way to get to Jenks, is as good as you'll find in the major leagues. That being said however, the White Sox could certainly look to add another starter. It doesn't necessarily have to be a shut down ace, but someone on the lines of a Jon Garland or a Doug Davis type, who can stabilize the back end of the rotation, since Bartolo Colon has eaten himself out of his talents. With Jose Contreras pitching much better since his recall from the minor leagues and Mark Buerhle continuing to be Mark Buehrle, the Sox may need just one more arm to that rotation to give them the decided advantage.
Minnesota Twins
I can make this really simple and easy for Twins fans. You want your team to make the playoffs? You need a better starting rotation. Call in the cavalry, hypnotize Francisco Liriano and convince him he's Satchel Paige, I don't care. You aren't going to do anything of importance in the second half of the season unless you get somebody to help Nick Blackburn. Mauer and Morneau can handle the offensive duties and they have done so beautifully. But, your rotation is garbage. Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glenn Perkins and Liriano. It's a pupu platter of trash! Fix it. Fix it now. You're 4 games out of first place. That's so close you can taste it. Too bad I don't think there are any deals on your horizon to make...Sorry
Kansas City Royals
I predicted at the beginning of the season that the Royals would be this years Tampa Bay Rays....I could not be more wrong. But, I at least correctly predicted that Zack Greinke would absolutely break out and be a star. Ding ding, we have a winner!
While it is clear that the Royals won't be contending for any playoff spots this year, I don't think they should go into the mode of being a seller. Rumors have it that they are actually looking to add some pieces (to the bullpen and starting lineup), since they feel their starting pitching can get them back into the race this year.
That's a very good thought and I applaud the Royals enthusiasm and optimism. But, other than Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister, your rotation isn't that great. Gil Meche isn't as bad in reality as his 4.50 era and 4 - 9 record would show, but he also isn't as good as his $55 million contract would make you think either. Luke Hochevar has been as inconsistent as any young player can be, but he's got a 5 - 3 record, so I guess he's done some things right.
With a guy like Joakim Soria (who reminds me of a young Mariano Rivera) at the back end of your bullpen, you won't blow many saves at the end of a game. But, it's the bridge to your closer that poses the problem for the Royals. Off-season acquisition Juan Cruz and Kyle Farnsworth have both shown flashes of being good and flashes of being terrible. They need more stability in the pen, but then again, who doesn't.
If you think about it, the Royals recent trade for Mariners short stop Yuniesky Betancourt, would really lead you to believe that they are in it to play for this season. Maybe I'm terribly under-estimating them, after over-estimating them during the spring, but I just don't see it. They lack a distinct power presence, they have minimal team speed at best, they don't even have any real contact hitters. No matter how good their pitching may end up being, I don't think they have the offense to put up the runs in order to win. In addition to that, I don't think they have the prospects to dangle to get the offensive pieces they may need.
Sorry Royals fans. Your post-George Brett futility is continuing until next season at least, because I don't see any tremendous second half surge from you guys.
While it is clear that the Royals won't be contending for any playoff spots this year, I don't think they should go into the mode of being a seller. Rumors have it that they are actually looking to add some pieces (to the bullpen and starting lineup), since they feel their starting pitching can get them back into the race this year.
That's a very good thought and I applaud the Royals enthusiasm and optimism. But, other than Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister, your rotation isn't that great. Gil Meche isn't as bad in reality as his 4.50 era and 4 - 9 record would show, but he also isn't as good as his $55 million contract would make you think either. Luke Hochevar has been as inconsistent as any young player can be, but he's got a 5 - 3 record, so I guess he's done some things right.
With a guy like Joakim Soria (who reminds me of a young Mariano Rivera) at the back end of your bullpen, you won't blow many saves at the end of a game. But, it's the bridge to your closer that poses the problem for the Royals. Off-season acquisition Juan Cruz and Kyle Farnsworth have both shown flashes of being good and flashes of being terrible. They need more stability in the pen, but then again, who doesn't.
If you think about it, the Royals recent trade for Mariners short stop Yuniesky Betancourt, would really lead you to believe that they are in it to play for this season. Maybe I'm terribly under-estimating them, after over-estimating them during the spring, but I just don't see it. They lack a distinct power presence, they have minimal team speed at best, they don't even have any real contact hitters. No matter how good their pitching may end up being, I don't think they have the offense to put up the runs in order to win. In addition to that, I don't think they have the prospects to dangle to get the offensive pieces they may need.
Sorry Royals fans. Your post-George Brett futility is continuing until next season at least, because I don't see any tremendous second half surge from you guys.
Cleveland Indians
Honestly, if I'm the Indians General Manager right now, I'm putting up a "For Sale" sign outside the Cleveland Indians locker room. Come one, come all, everything must go! You're 35 - 54 and 14 games back, time to blow it up and start over. The Indians can say all they want that they're looking towards next season with Jake Westbrook coming back healthy and full, healthy seasons out of Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner, but, sorry, not buying it. Trade anything you can, while you can.
Cliff Lee? You can get 3 or 4 good prospects for him. He's the reigning AL Cy Young Winner!
Victor Martinez? Call up the Red Sox, see if you can pry Clay Buccholz from them for his services.
Carl Pavano (yes, really)? See what type of lovely assortments of bats and balls you could get from the Marlins (who are looking to add pitching) for his useless body.
Sorry to all you Tribe fans out there, but this isn't your teams year, next year probably won't be either. Start building towards the future, stockpile your farm system and see if you can land a few big fish in a couple years.
Cliff Lee? You can get 3 or 4 good prospects for him. He's the reigning AL Cy Young Winner!
Victor Martinez? Call up the Red Sox, see if you can pry Clay Buccholz from them for his services.
Carl Pavano (yes, really)? See what type of lovely assortments of bats and balls you could get from the Marlins (who are looking to add pitching) for his useless body.
Sorry to all you Tribe fans out there, but this isn't your teams year, next year probably won't be either. Start building towards the future, stockpile your farm system and see if you can land a few big fish in a couple years.
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