* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Detroit Tigers
Aside from their closer, this team is complete.
2. Chicago White Sox
The surprise of the Central last year, they’ll look to improve on last season.
3. Kansas City Royals
An improved rotation should help them contend for a Wild Card spot.
4. Cleveland Indians
Big moves in the offseason, but their pitching will fall short.
5. Minnesota Twins
A lot has to go right for them to contend this year.

Player to Watch: 3B Miguel Cabrera Detroit Tigers
It’s no fluke that he won the first Triple Crown since 1967 last year. It seems that overnight he has become the most dangerous hitter in the game, but he’s been that way since he first arrived in the big leagues.  With Prince Fielder protecting him, the Tigers lineup is very similar to what the Boston Red Sox had with Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.  The only difference is that the Tigers don’t have a World Series title.
Best Acquisition: P Jame Shields Kansas City Royals
No one expects Shields to stay in Kansas City longer than the two years he has left on his current deal.  Yet this is a great move by the Royals.  Sure, they gave up some of their best prospects, but the Royals are in a win-now situation.  If they are playoff contenders the next two years, maybe Shields decides to stick around.  If not, they can trade Shields and start over.
New Kid on the Block: OF Aaron Hicks Minnesota Twins
Not only is he their starting center fielder, but he is their new leadoff hitter.  He got off to a slow start in the minors.  Granted he was drafted straight out of high school.  But he showed off his skills last season at double A batting. 286 and driving in 61 runs. Batting in front of Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau should really help him in his progression.

Bench

C Brayan Pena
.236 AVG 2 HR 25 RBI
INF Ramon Santiago
.206 AVG 2 HR 17 RBI
OF Avisail Garcia
.299 AVG 14 HR 58 RBI (A and AA stats)

Rotation

1. Justin Verlander
17-8 2.64 ERA
2. Max Scherzer
16-7 3.74 ERA
3. Doug Fister
10-10 3.45 ERA
4. Anibal Sanchez
9-13 3.86 ERA
5. Rick Porcello
10-12 4.59 ERA

Setup

Joaquin Benoit
5-3 3.68 ERA

Closer

Phil Coke
2-3 4.00 ERA

Jim Leyland’s Job: Don’t let his players get complacent.

Most Important Player: 3B Miguel Cabrera

2. 3B Jeff Keppinger*
.325 AVG 9 HR 40 RBI
3. 1B Paul Konerko
.298 AVG 26 HR 75 RBI
4. DH Adam Dunn
.204 AVG 41 HR 96 RBI
5. RF Alex Rios
.304 AVG 25 HR 91 RBI
6. LF Dayan Viciedo
.255 AVG 25 HR 75 RBI
7. SS Alexei Ramirez
.265 AVG 9 HR 73 RBI
8. 2B Gordon Beckham
.234 AVG 16 HR 60 RBI
9. C Tyler Flowers
.213 AVG 7 HR 13 RBI

Bench

OF Dewayne Wise
.259 AVG 8 HR 30 RBI
INF Angel Sanchez*
.320 AVG 5 HR 45 RBI (AAA stats)
C Hector Gimenez
.259 AVG 14 HR 57 RBI (AAA stats)

Rotation

1. Chris Sale
17-8 3.05 ERA
2. Jake Peavy
11-12 3.37 ERA
3. John Danks
3-4 5.70 ERA
4. Gavin Floyd
12-11 4.29 ERA
5. Jose Quintana
6-6 3.76 ERA

Setup

Matt Thornton
4-10 3.46 ERA

Closer

Addison Reed
29 SV 4.75 ERA

Robin Ventura’s Job: Avoid another late season collapse.

Most Important Player: P Chris Sale

2. SS Alcides Escobar
.293 AVG 5 HR 52 RBI
3. LF Alex Gordon
.294 AVG 14 HR 72 RBI
4. DH Billy Butler
.313 AVG 29 HR 107 RBI
5. 1B Eric Hosmer
.232 AVG 14 HR 60 RBI
6. C Salvador Perez
.301 AVG 11 HR 39 RBI
7. 3B Mike Moustakas
.242 AVG 20 HR 73 RBI
8. RF Jeff Francoeur
.235 AVG 16 HR 49 RBI
9. 2B Chris Getz
.275 AVG 0 HR 17 RBI

Bench

OF Jarrod Dyson
.260 AVG 0 HR 9 RBI
INF Miguel Tejada*
.239 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI (2011 stats)
C George Kottaras*
.211 AVG 9 HR 31 RBI

Rotation

1. James Shields*
15-10 3.52 ERA
2. Jeremy Guthrie
8-12 4.76 ERA
3. Ervin Santana*
9-13 5.16 ERA
4. Wade Davis*
3-0 2.43 ERA
5. Bruce Chen
11-14 5.07 ERA

Setup

Kelvin Herrera
4-3 2.35 ERA

Closer

Greg Holland
16 SV 2.96 ERA

Ned Yost’s Job: Compete for a Wild Card spot.

Most Important Player: P James Shields