AL Central Christmas Shopping List

By Adam Rickert on Wednesday, December 25th 2013
AL Central Christmas Shopping List

With the Christmas season in full swing, let’s take a look at what each team from the American League Central has on the top of their lists.

 

Chicago White Sox

The South Siders have been making all the right moves this offseason in the rebuilding process, acquiring third baseman of the future Matt Davidson and young outfielder Adam Eaton from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cuban defector Jose Abreu will be the future first baseman and, based on his contract, he should be a very explosive hitter right off the bat next season.

Chicago needs two things: more pitching depth/prospects and some run support for ace Chris Sale. Sale could suffer back injuries from carrying the team, and it is not fair that he had absolutely no help from anybody else in 2013.

 

Cleveland Indians

Despite inking John Axford as the closer and trading for Josh Outman as a left-handed arm out of the bullpen, the Tribe still needs pitching.

Both the rotation and bullpen have question marks - big ones too. 

Axford was great in his short time with the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but his last two years have been disasters. In fact, before being traded to St. Louis, Axford blew all seven save opportunities he had in Milwaukee.

The rotation could be pretty solid if Corey Kluber and Danny Salazar continue to mature, but adding another arm would really help Cleveland.

 

Detroit Tigers

The reigning AL Central champs went into the offseason needing an improved bullpen and some offensive help out of left field. After undergoing a makeover that is seldom seen with a consistent contender like Detroit, the Tigers still need exactly what they needed before all the moves.

Yes, they are stronger at the closer position after signing Joe Nathan, but the rest of the bullpen has not gotten any better. Ian Krol is young and unproven, Joba Chamberlain has not been anything near a shutdown reliever in recent years and Drew Smyly, one of the team’s top relievers last season, will be leaving the pen and becoming a starter after Doug Fister was traded to Washington.

As far as left field goes, the Tigers will likely platoon Andy Dirks and newly-signed Rajai Davis. Not exactly protection for a lineup that is fairly thin beyond Ian Kinsler, Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.

 

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City will be very good in 2014.

The Royals finally finished over .500 in 2013 behind a revamped pitching staff and an improving offense. The young team will continue to mature this season and make a legitimate run at the playoffs.

Kansas City is wishing for two things: more power and more consistent play from Mike Moustakas.

Despite having a solid year offensively, the Royals were one of the worst teams in baseball in terms of power numbers. They are still in the hunt for Nelson Cruz, who could help them tremendously.

Another option would be to kill two birds with one stone. Moustakas had a setback in 2013 after a strong 2012 and seemingly was the only Royal not to play up to his potential. If he can come back around this season and provide decent power numbers, Kansas City would be very thankful.

 

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota is in full rebuilding mode and looks to have a bright future with two of the best prospects in baseball in third baseman Miguel Sano and outfielder Byron Buxton. However, there is a major flaw in the Twins’ rebuilding process.

While Minnesota has one of the best prospect pools in baseball in terms of position players, the pitching prospects are nowhere to be found.

The Twins have been doing the best they can this offseason to sign veteran arms like Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes, but when Sano, Buxton and other prospects come up, there will be no pitching to help them out unless the organization makes some moves.

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Scores

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Twins
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Yankees
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Pirates
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Orioles
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Cardinals
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Mets
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Rays
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Blue Jays
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Tigers
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Phillies
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Braves
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Red Sox
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Phillies
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Marlins
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3:05 PM ET
Reds
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Angels
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3:05 PM ET
Cubs
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Guardians
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3:05 PM ET
Royals
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Athletics
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3:05 PM ET
Giants
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Dodgers
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3:05 PM ET
White Sox
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Rangers
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3:10 PM ET
Rockies
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Padres
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Brewers
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White Sox
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6:05 PM ET
Nationals
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Astros
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8:10 PM ET
Mariners
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Diamondbacks
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Orioles
6
Tigers
5
Astros
0
Mets
5
Cardinals
9
Astros
4
Red Sox
7
Rays
5
Pirates
6
Twins
4
Phillies
7
Nationals
3
Yankees
7
Braves
3
Blue Jays
7
Marlins
8
Reds
11
Padres
10
Giants
3
Rockies
11
Athletics
7
Rangers
3
Dodgers
7
White Sox
6
Rangers
1
Brewers
5
Angels
5
Cubs
4
Diamondbacks
13
Royals
10
Mariners
8
Guardians
7
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Astros
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Pirates
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1:05 PM ET
Rays
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Tigers
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1:05 PM ET
Red Sox
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Twins
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1:05 PM ET
Orioles
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Braves
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Yankees
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Blue Jays
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Blue Jays
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Phillies
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Mets
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Nationals
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1:10 PM ET
Marlins
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Cardinals
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3:05 PM ET
Dodgers
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Cubs
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3:05 PM ET
Athletics
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Giants
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3:05 PM ET
Rangers
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Dodgers
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Guardians
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White Sox
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3:10 PM ET
Angels
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Diamondbacks
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Rockies
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Royals
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Padres
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Mariners
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Brewers
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Reds
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