The Tigers got rid of Jackson and Granderson... and got better? Yeah, that's right. Jackson and Scherzer are going to be studs and Coke is a solid reliever. Detroit also got Damon and Valverde in the free agent market and have one of the most balanced teams in the AL. With Verlander, Scherzer and Porcello anchoring the rotation and Willis and Bonderman as low risk, high reward guys, their starting five are super solid. Cabrera and Ordonez are awesome in the 3-4 spots and the bullpen is great. This team really has no holes, hopefully they won't go on any extended slides this year.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Miguel Cabrera wins the AL MVP.
He could play right now. What a man.
2. Minnesota Twins
Gardenhire is too good of a manager for this team to finish any worse than second. If Mauer and Morneau can stay healthy, there is no reason to think otherwise. Even with Nathan being out for the year, Minnesota still has one of the best bullpens in the league. The starting rotation is average, but guys like Slowey and Baker could surprise. Liriano is out to prove that his career isn't a joke and Pavano (even though his career is a joke) is a solid guy every five days. Hudson was a good pickup and so was Hardy; those guys will thoroughly improve the middle infield on defense and on offense. Thome is a great addition at DH and Span is an emerging leadoff guy in the league.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: J.J. Hardy has 15 homeruns and less than 15 errors.
No Joe! Sliding is for common folk.
3. Chicago White Sox
The president's boys in the south side have a solid team, but not good enough. Sorry to hate on one of my favorite players, but Peavy is not going to do well in Chitown. Buehrle is a great pitcher, but it's hard to bank the success of your rotation on a groundball pitcher (see: Pittsburgh Pirates). Danks and Floyd are okay, but neither has proven anything in their first few years. The lineup is average, with the scariest hitter being Konerko. Beckham is good, but even if he matches his output from last year, his OPS was still only .800. Quentin and Rios are out to prove that they can still produce and could have surprise years, but the bullpen is incredibly shaky and will lose them a number of games.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin combine for 75 homeruns.
What kind of sick, demented franchise charges $1 for a pencil?
4. Cleveland Indians
Look for the Indians to surprise people and not finish in last place. I like their lineup with Cabrera, Sizemore and Choo at the top of the order. Hafner should have a solid bounce back year and LaPorta is ready to break out. Peralta is always solid and Branyan will provide some pop when he returns. The rotation has a little bit of potential; Westbrook is back from injury, Huff is a solid fourth starter and Masterson is legit. Carmona stinks, and will continue to stink, but what can you do with a fifth starter? The bullpen is surprisingly solid, especially when Wood returns, with guys like Lewis and Perez. Expect Cleveland to make some noise this year... but just a little bit.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Matt LaPorta leads the team in OPS.
Please don't go off to the Korean military, I have you in my keeper league...
5. Kansas City Royals
The Royals honestly have a good rotation, but that's pretty much all they have going for them. Greinke is obviously a stud, but Hochevar is a former #1 overall pick with an insane sinkerball. Meche is underrated and Bannister is a solid fourth guy. The bullpen stinks except for Soria; but who is going to be the gap from the sixth to the ninth? Ankiel is one of the most overrated players in the league and was a stupid pickup for this team. Butler, DeJesus and Podsednik are good, but none of them are RBI guys. Gordon is Mr. Potential, but he can never stay healthy. Expect the same old crappy season from these guys, but Greinke to keep them in it with another super-season.
Our 2 Cojones of the year: Luke Hochevar has a record above .500 and an ERA under 4.00.
Silky smooth jersey for a silky smooth pitcher.
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