With the final week of Spring Training coming to an end other American League Central are finalizing their rosters as well. The Tigers will face each one of these teams 18 times so it’s time we learn who these guys are, well at least the new ones :) Some rotations are pretty similar to 2006 so many of the names will be familiar, some teams have nearly completely overhauled their starters.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins finalized their starting five today by optioning Matt Garza to Class AAA Rochester making way for Carlos Silva to fill the final slot. This was a surprise move to some as Garza is a top prospect (#13 on Kevin Goldstein’s prospect list) and he had an outstanding Spring Training earning a 1.50 ERA. In the end Minnesota decided to go with the veteran Silva who was roughed up a bit this spring.

The Minnesota rotation is now stocked with veterans. This off season they added Ramon Ortiz from the Nationals, who was signed to a one-year deal, as well as Sidney Ponson who was brought in on a Minor League contract. Lead off by two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, the rotation quickly falls apart after that. The Twins have a number of young pitchers from Garza to Glen Perkins but have elected the start the year with experience. You can expect to see this rotation change through the year.

Cleveland Indians

Cleveland had a heck of a scare today as C.C. Sabathia was hit in the forearm with a line-drive ball. With this injury, which has C.C. listed as day-to-day, as well as the injury to Cliff Lee which has him out until at least mid-april, Cleveland could really be in trouble. Luckily for them, C.C.’s injury does not on the surface appear to be all too serious.

With Cliff Lee out for the beginning of the year Fausto Carmona has been given the fifth starting slot. Much of Clevelands pitching talent has come from within and unlike Minnesota they are built from returning players. They also have plenty of talent in the farm system as well with Fausto barely overtaking newcomer and top prospect Adam Miller.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have made some changes this off season loosing two starters that most expect to be on the rotation in 2007. The team dealt away Freddy Garcia to the Phillies for starter Gavin Floyd and sent Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers for John Danks. In the end Danks overtook Floyd for the fifth starting slot.

The returning starters for the White Sox have been horrible this off season, something I’ve talked quite a bit about so far. We’ll see if it carries over into regular season but they’ve some work to do.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals finalized their roster today naming Brandon Duckworth as the fifth starter. He spent last year in the bullpen, a bullpen that was nearing last in the league. The Royals have spent some money trying to improve their roster and moving some top talent as well. They traded away Ambiorix Burgos to the Mets for Brian Bannister who had started last year as the Mets #2 starter.

They also spent much money for Gil Meche, a signing that has been hotly debated this off season. Grienke spent last year on the DL and this year is looking to make a comeback, one that Buster Onley puts as one of the top comebacks of the year. Regardless of how you see the lineup it is clear that the Royals are spending to win and are likely to have some of these pitchers on very short leashes to get what they want.

Looking through all the lineups I believe it is clear that the Tigers are the strongest and have the greatest chance for success. They have an in-tact line up from last year, one that lead the big leagues in many categories and are healthy. Not another team listed here can claim that.