AL Central Links

Lots of interesting happenings went on over the week around the AL Central (except Chicago..)

Detroit Tigers

• Dayn Perry over at foxsports.com rates the GM’s around the league. AL Central teams placed 3 in the top 10 with the Twins Terry Ryan nabbing 3rd and our own Dave Dombrowski getting 3rd. Phil Rogers at ESPN.com doesn’t necessarily agree and think Terry Ryan is the best there is.
• Kurt at the Mack Avenue Tigers summarizes this weeks Caravan/Tiger Festivities well.
• Good mailbag from Jason Beck answering many questions about the Tigers farm system prospects.

Cleveland Indians

• Cleveland signed Trot Nixon to a one-year deal worth $3M. This deal is structured based on playing time earning more based on plate appearances. Nixon can be pretty good if he isn’t hurt and this has certainly turned off some Tribe fans.
• Jason Michaels was signed to a two-year contract worth 4.25M. This is interesting as Michaels did not have a good year last year and the Indians have made some off season moves, such as picking up David Dellucci, that will significantly cut into Michaels playing time. It looks like they haven’t given up on him to the degree that some thought.

Minnesota Twins

• Francisco Liriano, last years Twins rookie sensation pitcher, hopes to be throwing from the mound by October. He had ligament surgery on November 6th last year and this operation normally takes a year recovery so this is pretty much not a surprise. While Liriano had a great year last year the Tigers hit him pretty well racking up 13 of his total 31 runs given up.
• Twins sign Ramon Ortiz for a one-year 3.1M deal. It’s not a shock to see the Twins looking for rotation help but this signing leaves something to be desired. The Twins rotation is still very much in question and they are really reeling for help looking to other undesirables such as Sidney Ponson. Twinkie Town tries to figure out which is a worse deal..

Kansas City Royals

• The Royals have improves so much that Krispy Kreme can no longer continue the ’12-hits-gets-you-a-dozen-doughnuts’ promotion. Such a shame.
• Royals owner David Glass thinks the future will be bright for the Royals.

“The Gil Meche signing, (other owners are) beating up on us for doing that,” Glass said. “Perhaps that was a little aggressive. Time will tell. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to build a competitive team in Kansas City.”

Chicago White Sox

• Oddly silent in Chicago, they did sign Crede which was no shocker. Other than that it has been very quiet as it has been all off season.