An inside look at the first half of the MLB season for the AL Central teams. What does your team need to do to improve?
Detroit Tigers (52-42)
One analyst recently mentioned with Max Scherzer's 13-1 start, Jim Leyland could be on the hot seat. It's a bold statement, but really speaks to the disappointment of the Tigers first half. Featuring one of baseballs elite lineups, the Tigers must get Staff Ace Justin Verlander pitching up to CY Young Form to win the World Series in 2014. In Verlander's final start before the break, he went 7 Innings surrendering 1 hit to notch the win. The starting pitching isn't the concern.
The combination of Verlander, Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez & Doug Fister sets up perfectly for both the short series & 7 Game series format. The issue is the backend of the bullpen, particularly at closer. Joaquin Benoit has performed admirably in that role, but he's ideally the 8th inning man. Adding a Closer near the deadline will allow the Tigers to run away with the Central Division Crown.
Cleveland (51-44)
Terry Francona has mixed & matched the lineup with versatile players to score 454 Runs, 5th most in baseball. Better second halves from Michael Bourn & Nick Swisher will improve the lineup. The major issue is the pitching staff, where 9 pitchers have started a game to this juncture.
The teams 4.31 ERA (Starters: 4.42 & Relievers 4.1) is the issue that could cause a second half fade. Keeping up with the Division frontrunner will require adding consistent starting pitching, and the loan internal option is Trevor Bauer. Looking to outside starting pitching will be difficult, as building an entire formidable staff is an arduous task. I anticipate a 2nd half fade, but still view the organizational direction as positive.
Kansas City Royals (43-49)
GM Dayton Moore never developed the pitching internally, and was forced to trade away top prospect Wil Myers to add James Shields & Wade Davis in the offseason. Last year's trade acquisition Jeremy Guthrie was resigned to a lucrative 3 year deal & Ervin Santana was acquired from Los Angeles. Due to the aforementioned inability to develop pitching in the requisite time frame, Moore had to make these moves to build a Staff.
The staff has amassed a 3.82 ERA (Starters: 4.18 & Relievers 3.02). Moore's aggressive offseason assumed young prospects Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez & Mike Moustakas could carry the lineup with Billy Butler & Alex Gordon. The issue has been Moustakas, whose ceded playing time to Miguel Tejada. The outfield, where Moore frivolously put faith in Jeff Francouer, has struggled mightily, and the results have been devastating. The lineup is last in the American League in Home Runs & 3rd to last in Runs Scored. Moore's time in Kansas City could be running out, as the Royals continue to disappoint after early optimism.
Minnesota Twins (39-53)
The Twins are rebuilding quietly, and benefit from one of the leagues premier farm systems. Talented bats are in the pipeline, and the organization is now placing added emphasis on developing top end pitching. Faith in Twins management is necessary, as they've shown patience with the Manager through the rebuilding process. It's not the Twins year, but aggressively rebuilding the roster will pay major dividends when Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano & Kohl Stewart are in the majors.
Chicago White Sox (37-55)
In a previous article, we've referenced the White Sox Fire Sale. It was inevitable given the poorly constructed roster, which relied heavily on outside acquisitions over the past 3-5 years. The GM & President were extended so don't expect the organizational philosophy to change significantly. They're the loan FO in baseball that continues to besmirch advanced statistics, and the results of the first half are evident that the organization must be more forward-thinking & amenable to change.
It's truly a mystery that across baseball 29 other Front Offices rely on advanced statistics to varying degrees, while the White Sox remain traditionalists. The entire roster is available besides Starting Pitcher Chris Sale, and moving these bad contracts will inevitably require kicking in money to the acquiring team. Basically, I place blame on Ownership. Whereas I would've fired Kenny Williams & Rich Hahn, they were extended.
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