By Jorge Guajardo & Steve Kaplowitz 

Today, we will cover another division that should be quite competitive, the AL Central. Last year, this division sent three teams to the playoffs: the Guardians, Royals, and Tigers. All three won a playoff series, and the Guardians made it to the ALCS before being dispatched by the Yankees.  

AL Central 

Detroit Tigers 

• Outlook: The Tigers made a surprise run in 2024, returning from seemingly impossible odds to secure a playoff spot. With Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal leading the rotation and the addition of veterans like Jack Flaherty and Gleyber Torres, Detroit is primed to make another push. However, the lineup still lacks consistent star power outside of Riley Greene, and Spencer Torkelson’s struggles at the plate will need to be addressed if the Tigers are to stay competitive. If Torkelson can make a leap, this team stands to be the best in the central and could even be the best team in the AL.
• Key Additions: SP Jack Flaherty, RP Tommy Kahnle, RP John Brebbia. 2B Gleyber Torres 
• Key Departures: OF Akil Baddoo, IF  Jonathan Schoop, further thinning an already inconsistent lineup.
• Challenges: Detroit’s biggest challenge remains their offense, which must improve to complement a strong pitching staff. While they’ve made strides in the rotation and bullpen, the lack of consistent offensive production could hinder their chances of making a deep postseason run.

Guajardo’s Final win/loss prediction: 99-63 (1st Place AL Central) 

Kappy’s Instant Analysis (2-3 sentences): Kappy’s Instant Analysis: Gleyber Torres is betting on himself with a one-year deal, but the Tigers will need much more offense than that to make a deeper run in the AL postseason. I am excited for Jackson Jobe’s arrival to strengthen an already solid pitching staff.  

 Cleveland Guardians 

• Outlook: Cleveland, as always, should be right in the mix of contention for the AL Central title once again. Cleveland has won five of the last nine division crowns, and the team remains strong defensively and in the bullpen, led by star closer Emmanuel Clase. However, with the departure of key players like Myles Straw and Andrés Giménez, the Guardians' offense will need to rely heavily on José Ramírez, who should still be in the mix for AL MVP when it’s all said and done. While the pitching staff is solid, with ace Shane Bieber returning from injury at some point this season and a developing rotation, Cleveland's challenge will be finding consistent offensive production from the rest of the lineup.
• Key Additions: 1B Carlos Santana
• Key Departures: CF Myles Straw, 2B Andrés Giménez, 1B Josh Naylor
• Challenges: Cleveland’s biggest hurdle is generating offense beyond José Ramírez and Steven Kwan. Gone from their lineup are Straw Gimenez and, most notably, Josh Naylor, who had a solid year, so now their success hinges on the development of younger players like Travis Bazzana and the health of their pitchers.

Guajardo’s Final win/loss prediction: 95-77 (2nd Place AL Central) 

Kappy’s Instant Analysis (2-3 sentences) The Guardians have some terrific prospects like Bazzana and Chase DeLauter who could have a chance to impact the offense in 2025. They will need it, since the offense lacks pop outside of Ramirez and young masher Jhonkensy Noel. Bieber’s return from Tommy John surgery combined with promising young arms like Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams should keep Cleveland in the race to win the Central. 

Kansas City Royals 

• Outlook: After a disappointing 2023, the Royals bounced back in 2024 with a successful season, marked by a defeat at the hands of the Yankees in the divisional round of the playoffs. With Bobby Witt Jr. emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate and a strong pitching staff led by Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans, Kansas City is aiming to build on its recent success. The addition of Jonathan India, who should boost the OBP numbers of this team, could bolster their offense, but they’ll need to prove their sustained ability to compete with division rivals and the loaded pitching staffs and bullpens across the division.
• Key Additions: CP Carlos Estevez, 2B Jonathan India
• Key Departures: SP Brady Singer, RP Brad Keller
• Challenges: The Royals must prove that their 2024 success wasn’t a fluke. With a relatively young team, Kansas City will need to maintain consistency both at the plate and on the mound to keep up with an improving AL Central. The Royals will have to overcome the loss of Brady Singer to accomplish that.

Guajardo’s Final win/loss prediction: 88-74 (3rd Place AL Central) 

Kappy’s Instant Analysis (2-3 sentences):  The Royals do not have many household names outside of Witt and Sal Perez, but they are young and fun. Adding India will help their infield and former top prospects like MJ Melendez and Vinny Pasquantino need to rebound in order for Kansas City to stay relevant in their postseason chase.

Minnesota Twins 

• Outlook: The Twins will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024, where they finished in fourth place. The team is still strong on paper, with a solid rotation anchored by Pablo López and a potent lineup led by Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. If they can stay healthy, especially Buxton and Correa, Minnesota could easily return to the playoffs. A few additions on one year prove it deals like Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe should boost the team, but with the rest of the AL Central, it’s hard to see those moves moving the needle much.
• Key Additions: CF Harrison Bader, 1B Ty France, RP Danny Coulombe
• Key Departures: LF Manuel Margot, 2B Kyle Farmer, RF Max Kepler, 1B Carlos Santana
• Challenges: The lack of significant moves in the offseason may prove to be a hurdle as other teams in the division improve. Health is a key and a challenge for every team, but this seems to apply particularly to Minnesota. With healthy Correa and Buxton, the Twins can compete with the best of the AL Central, if they miss time, this team will struggle to even be a wild-card contender.

Guajardo’s Final win/loss prediction: 84-78 (4th Place AL Central) 

Kappy’s Instant Analysis (2-3 sentences): Minnesota’s offseason was a dud. The roster is full of guys who will keep the Twins just over .500 but not bear the top of the division. They are still a year or two away from topo prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez making their debut in the Minnesota outfield.

Chicago White Sox 

• Outlook: The White Sox have hit rock bottom, finishing as the worst team in MLB history in 2024 with 121 losses. The lack of direction and a broken roster has left Chicago in a deep hole with virtually no hope for a quick turnaround. Luis Robert Jr. remains the lone bright spot on the roster, but the team faces a grim 2025. They are in desperate need of rebuilding and will likely struggle to avoid another 100-loss season.
• Key Additions: SP Martin Perez, 3B Josh Rojas, CF Michael Taylor, OF Michael Tauchman, SP Bryse Wilson
• Key Departures: 3B Yoan Moncada, SP Mike Clevenger, 1B Gavin Sheets, SP Garret Crochet
• Challenges: Chicago's biggest challenge is simply to avoid repeating their historically bad 2024 performance. A full rebuild is necessary, but 2025 will likely see them continuing to struggle, both offensively and on the mound.

Guajardo’s Final win/loss prediction: 51-111 (5th Place AL Central) 

Kappy’s Instant Analysis (2-3 sentences) Can it get any worse for the White Sox than last season? The easy answer is no, but this team is still light years away from being relevant again. Keep an eye on the situation with Robert, who will eventually be moved.