AL Central:

#1. Detroit Tigers
Projected Record: 91-71
Pitching: The biggest question mark in the American League is the Tigers pitching staff. Improved defense up the middle should help Verlander and company. Newly acquired Edwin Jackson should stabilize the back end of the rotation with a healthy Willis/Bonderman. Surprising Armando Galarraga will be the #2. Nate Robertson is there for insurance in case of an injury. The pen is coming off a rocky year. A healthy team of Rodney and Zumaya should help new closer Brandon Lyon at the end of games. AL CENTRAL Rank: #3

Offense: Though lacking some speed, the Tigers have arguably the best lineup in MLB. Slugger Miguel Cabrera will have his usual stellar season. The aging power hitters are the key here. Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Guillen will make or break the lineup. Sparkplug Curtis Granderson can be the catalyst to lead the way. The addition of veterans Gerald Laird and Adam Everett will sacrifice some offense but add some much needed defensive help. AL CENTRAL Rank: #1

Key Acquisition: Brandon Lyon/CP
Key Loss: Edgar Renteria/SS
Breakout Player: Rick Porcello/SP
Farm System Rank: #24
Top Prospects: Cale Iorg(SS), Ryan Perry(RHP), Scott Sizemore(2B)

#2. Minnesota Twins
Projected Record: 88-74
Pitching: The Twins rotation is a young and talented mix of power and control. Former phenom Fransisco Liriano will lead the starters if he can stay healthy. Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Nick Blackburn round out the top 5. The bullpen has Matt Guerrier, Luis Ayala, Jessie Crain, and Phillip Humber in front of super closer Joe Nathan. If the Twins can stay healthy they have the best pitching in the Central. AL CENTRAL Rank: #1

Offense: The run production output for the Twins will come down to three guys: Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, and Alexi Casilla. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and new 3B Joe Crede should stabilize the middle of the order. If Michael Cuddyer can come back healthy and Delmon Young can have better plate discipline the Twins could be special this year. AL CENTRAL Rank: #2

Key Acquisition: Joe Crede/3B
Key Loss: Dennys Reyes/RP
Breakout Player: Denard Span/OF
Farm System Rank: #17
Top Prospects: Ben Revere(OF), Jose Mijares(LHP), Aaron Hicks(OF)

#3. Cleveland Indians
Projected Record: 82-80
Pitching: Can Cliff Lee continue to dominate? That's the 64K question entering the '09 season for Cleveland. Fausto Carmona is looking to rebound from a disappointing season and Anthony Reyes is looking to build on his great month of September. Former 1st round pick Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, and oft-injured Carl Pavano round out the starting possibilities. Lots of questions and they don't stop with the starters. The pen is led by newly acquired closer Kerry Wood. The set up men include Rafeal Betancourt, Masa Kobayashi, and Rafael Perez. AL CENTRAL Rank: #4

Offense: The health of Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner will dictate the success of this group. Grady Sizemore will put up MVP numbers again. Late bloomer Shin-Soo Choo will look to continue his new found hitting prowess. The offensive middle infield duo of Mark Derosa and Jhonny Peralta will need to inject some power to make up for their defensive deficiencies. AL CENTRAL Rank: #3

Key Acquisition: Kerry Wood/CP
Key Loss: Franklin Gutierrez/OF
Breakout Player: Anthony Reyes/SP
Farm System Rank: #7
Top Prospects: Matt LaPorta(1B/OF), Carlos Santana(C), Adam Miller(RHP)

#4. Kansas City Royals
Projected Record: 79-83
Pitching: Ace Zach Grienke leads the Royals intriguing staff. Gil Meche and Brain Bannister are a steady presence to go with the young arm of Luke Hochevar and the crafty lefthander Horacio Ramirez. Joakim Soria might have the best stuff of any AL closer and now he has some set up men to work with. KC added Juan Cruz and Kyle Farnsworth to the pen in a much needed move. AL CENTRAL Rank: #2

Offense: Some of the offseason acquisitions should prove to be the difference in the Royals offensive output this year. Alex Gordon will welcome the bats of Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs to the lineup. Last years surprise Mike Aviles will lead the top of the order with Crisp and David Dejesus. If Jose Guillen can have an above average year the Royals have a very nice order. AL CENTRAL Rank: #5

Key Acquisition: Mike Jacobs/1B
Key Loss: Ramon Ramirez/RP
Breakout Player: Alex Gordon/3B
Farm System Rank: #18
Top Prospects: Eric Hosmer(1B), Mike Moustakas(SS), Danny Gutierrez(RHP)

#5. Chicago White Sox
Projected Record: 75-87
Pitching: Veteran Mark Buehrle will try to lead this hit or miss staff. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are coming off career years that they need to improve upon if the White Sox are going to be a factor in the Central. The rotation ends with project lefty Clayton Richard and shot in the dark signee Bartolo Colon. The pen has Bobby Jenks to hold onto. Setting up the hefty closer are the underrated Matt Thornton and the duo of veterans Octavio Dotel/Scott Linebrink. AL CENTRAL Rank: #5

Offense: An aging offense that is depending on Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, AJ Pierzinski, and Paul Konerko to hold on for another year. Alexei Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, and Josh Fields supply the much needed young talent. Centerfield will be a question throughout the year as Brian Anderson is a utility player at best. AL CENTRAL Rank: #4

Key Acquisition: Bartolo Colon/SP
Key Loss: Javier Vasquez/SP
Breakout Player: Jerry Owens/OF
Farm System Rank: #29
Top Prospects: Aaron Poredo(LHP), Gordon Beckham(SS), Chris Getz(2B)

AL WEST:

#1. LA Angels
Projected Record: 97-65
Pitching: The Angels have a great mix of youth and experience. John Lackey leads the staff with Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, and mega prospect Nick Adenhart. With the rotation in good hands the Angels go about the task of replacing saves machine Francisco Rodriguez. The signing of Brian Fuentes from Colorado stabilized the closer role with super set up man Scot Shields still around and unheralded Jose Arredondo in the mix the back end is good. The middle relief could use some help however. AL WEST Rank: #1

Offense: An outfield laden with veterans and an infield peppered with young talent. Gary Matthews Jr., Bobby Abreu, a healthy Vlad Guerrero, and Torii Hunter anchor the middle of the order. Upstarts Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins, and superstar in waiting Howie Kendrick balance out the lineup. AL WEST Rank: #2

Key Acquisition: Brian Fuentes/CP
Key Loss: Mark Teixiera/1B
Breakout Player: Howie Kendrick/2B
Farm System Rank: #9
Top Prospects: Jordan Walden(RHP), Peter Bourjos(OF), Kevin Jepsen(RHP)

#2. Oakland Athletics
Projected Record: 82-80
Pitching: The A's are hoping for the best from a rotation with major youth and questions. Justin Duchscherer is coming of a career year that will be hard to duplicate. Dana Eveland, Dallas Braden, Gio Gonzalez, and Sean Gallagher are the other starters. The bullpen needs to be a strength with Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler fighting it out for the closer role. AL WEST Rank: #3

Offense: The return of Jason Giambi, the upgrade of Orlando Cabrera, a healthy Eric Chavez, and the trade that landed Matt Holliday should significantly upgrade the offense. Underrated 2B Mark Ellis, rangy RF Travis Buck, and glue guy Kurt Suzuki round out mainstays in the lineup. AL WEST Rank: #3

Key Acquisition: Matt Holliday/OF
Key Loss: Greg Smith/SP
Breakout Player: Daric Barton/1B
Farm System Rank: #12
Top Prospects: Jemile Weeks(2b), Trevor Cahill(RHP), Brett Anderson(LHP)

#3. Texas Rangers
Projected Record: 75-87
Pitching: Another year, another sub par rotation. If Kevin Millwood is your ace, you're in trouble. Veteran Vicente Padilla will join Millwood, Matt Harrison, Scott Feldman, and Brandon McCarthy try to limit the runs. The pen isn't much better with Frank Fransisco, CJ Wilson, and Joaquin Benoit leading the group. AL WEST Rank: #4

Offense: If the Rangers are to contend for anything Josh Hamilton and company are going to lead the way. Chris Davis adds his amazing power to a lineup that includes do it all 2B Ian Kinsler, steady SS Michael Young, and top prospect finally done right Nelson Cruz. The lack of speed outside of Kinsler could lead to problems on the road. AL WEST Rank: #1

Key Acquisition: Andruw Jones/OF
Key Loss: Milton Bradley/OF
Breakout Player: Nelson Cruz/OF
Farm System Rank: #10
Top Prospects: Justin Smoak(1B), Neftali Feliz(RHP), Derek Holland(LHP)

#4. Seattle Mariners
Projected Record: 69-93
Pitching: An amazing(If healthy) top three of Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, and Brandon Morrow. The back of the rotation will be the duo of veterans Jarrod Washburn and the overpaid Carlos Silva. The bullpen will count on Roy Corcoran to close with the loss of JJ Putz. Other relievers include Garrett Olson, Miguel Batista, and Mark Lowe. AL WEST RANK: #2

Offense: QUESTIONS! Adrian Beltre and Ichiro are the two run producers that can be counted on. Jose Lopez is decent and Ken Griffey Jr. should help a bit. Other than that, Kenji Johjima is coming off a bad year, Jeff Clement is yet to show he can hit in the majors, and Yuniesky Bentancourt is more of a defensive SS. AL WEST Rank: #4

Key Acquisition: Garrett Olsen/SP
Key Loss: Raul Ibanez/OF
Breakout Player: Brandon Morrow/P
Farm System Rank: #30
Top Prospects: Phillipe Aumont(RHP), Juan Ramirez(RHP), Greg Halman(OF)

Note - Players believed to be on Opening Day rosters not included in "Top Prospects"

BEST OF THE AL:

Cy Young: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Rookie Of The Year: Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles