Offseason Needs: American League Central

The virtual Winter Meetings are finishing a second week. With activity and rumors picking up around Major League Baseball, I am going to go division by division over the next week to suggest what moves each team should make this offseason.

The American League Central got three teams in the playoffs, but all three got bounced in the first round. With the financial issues surrounding baseball being felt the most in the American and National League Centrals (29 players non-tendered), make this an intriguing division to watch.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins have a major piece of their lineup on the free agent market in Nelson Cruz. I think the Twins have made it clear they want him to return and with the uncertainty surrounding the DH in the National League and Cruz being 40 years old, I think this is a marriage that needs to continue. Cruz is a great leader in that clubhouse and the team loves him judging by the bathrobe celebration.

Next up for the Twins would be to sign Andrelton Simmons to play short. There are rumors that the Twins would like to move Jorge Polanco into the super-utility role, which would leave a hole at short. Simmons would fill that hole well with excellent defense and a bat that is starting to become more consistent.

On the pitching side, the Twins have been linked to Joakim Soria for the bullpen, which I think would be a great add to replace Sergio Romo in the late innings. Soria had a nice bounce back year in 2020 pitching to a 2.82 ERA after an ERA over 4 in 2019. Soria also has experience in the division after pitching for the White Sox, Tigers and Royals, so it would be a good way for him to return to some familiar ground. Next on the pitching side, I think the Twins need a veteran arm to help make the rotation stronger, which is why they have linked to Corey Kluber. I think the better add would be to re-sign Rich Hill. He is experienced lefty, who was very solid for the Twins last year going 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in eight starts, so you’re keeping a dependable lefty to throw out every fifth day.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians will be picking a new name this season and officially retiring the Indians name after over 100 years. The main move that Cleveland needs to do is not pick the Spiders to be the replacement name. The last team named the Cleveland Spiders lost 134 games, so why would you want to bring that back. Also, it will cost a ton more to completely rebrand including colors, which is what you will have to do because there is no way Marvel will not sue anything red and blue that says spiders on it (Spiderman). Wild Things, Guardians, Crows, Commodores, Drummers and Buckeyes would all be much better options.

Going back to my AL East article, I talked about trading Francisco Lindor to the Blue Jays for Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Otto Lopez and Joey Murray. I think this is a strong package for Lindor and gives Cleveland the best possibility to still compete especially with their pitching staff.

Even with acquiring Gurriel Jr. and the breakout of Josh Naylor, I think Cleveland still has a hole in centerfield. There has been a report of an anonymous AL Central team interested in Jackie Bradley Jr., so I’m going to guess that team is Cleveland. Bradley Jr. (.289 hitter in 2020) in center with Naylor and Gurriel Jr. in the corners would be a much-improved outfield to make the Cleveland offense better even without Lindor.

With Brad Hand and Oliver Perez leaving in free agency, the Cleveland bullpen has a lack of left-handers. Andrew Chafin would be a perfect pitcher to fill one of those lefty spots. He is an Ohio native, Kent State alum and owner of a career 3.67 ERA would be a solid low-cost add to the Cleveland bullpen.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have already been busy this offseason by acquiring Lance Lynn and reuniting with Adam Eaton. Chicago still has some holes to fill especially in the closer spot, which makes them the perfect candidate to sign Liam Hendriks. He is the best closer on the market after saving 39 games the last two years while sporting an ERA under 2 each season, so he would automatically make the White Sox bullpen and team better.

The White Sox also has hole at the DH spot and the other Chicago team just let Kyle Schwarber walk, who feels like a very good DH add. 2019 was his best average year at .250 going alongside 38 homers, so Schwarber would be an instant middle of the order threat to deepen the White Sox lineup.

Finally, the Lynn trade brough in a good pitcher to the rotation, but I think the White Sox could still use one more arm in the mix. A José Quintana reunion would be a great add to give the White Sox added depth. He was much better in a White Sox uniform than he was in a Cubs (3.51 ERA vs. 4.24) so he could be line for a bounce back upon returning.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals have already been busy with brining in Mike Minor, Carlos Santana and keeping Greg Holland. These adds give the Royals veterans in the rotation, bullpen and lineup that can help the young players develop and learn the game at the top level. In this same space combined with the rumors of wanting a left-handed bat, I think the Royals would be a great landing spot for Shin-Soo Choo.

Choo hit over 20 homers each year from 2017-2019 and was an All-Star in 2018, so despite getting toward the end of his career, Choo still has a powerful left-handed bat and the experience of 16 seasons should fit in with the veteran adds the Royals have already made.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are in the middle of their rebuild but bringing in AJ Hinch to manage seems to be a sign they see light at the end of the tunnel. I think they would be a great spot for Ha-Seong Kim to play short. Kim was a great hitter in Korea (career .294 average and 133 homers) and could instantly provide a solid presence to the Tigers lineup once he gets settled in the US. Niko Goodrum does not appear to be the answer at that position while Willi Castro and Harold Castro could be starting to solidify themselves at second and third, so by adding Kim at short, the Tigers start to have their infield of the future.

I think the Tigers need a veteran starter to help eat innings and help the young starters. Michigan native and Eastern Michigan alum Matt Shoemaker is a free agent and looking to improve his value after a tough 2020, so I think a home coming to the Tigers would be a great add for both teams.

Finally, I think Hinch would want to bring in a familiar face to help in the outfield, which makes Detroit the perfect spot for Josh Reddick. He can fill in at DH and rightfield, so he adds the ability to slot in a couple different spots throughout the year while providing consistent play to help the young Tigers outfielders develop and have an example for how to come to the park and perform.