The Chicago White Sox had a disappointing 2013 campaign. But the team has re-tooled their line up for 2014, but how does it stack up against the AL Central. ESPN has an early spring training preview of the lineups:
Detroit
Pros: still has best hitter in game (Cabrera); added Kinsler to bolster 2B
Cons: new manager (Ausmus); Fielder traded to Rangers.
Projected lineup
Austin Jackson, CF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Andy Dirks, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Jose Igesias, SS
The question remains whether the Tigers can overcome the loss of Fielder's production by
good years from Castellanos at third and Kinsler at second. The team has aging veterans in Martinez and Hunter in the middle of the order. Dirks appears to be a platoon candidate in left.
This lineup does not appear to be as strong as last season.
Cleveland
Pros: Santana poised for a break out season;
Cons: questions about outfield production
Projected lineup
Michael Bourn, CF
Nick Swisher, 1B
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Carlos Santana, DH
Michael Brantley, LF
Yan Gomes, C
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
David Murphy, RF
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
The top of the order appears to be fine. The bottom is of a concern. If Chisenhall does not make a big contribution, Santana could move to third and open a spot for Ryan Raburn.
Consistent run production is going to be the issue with this lineup.
Kansas City
Pros: speed at the top of the lineup;
Cons: lack of distributed power in the lineup.
Projected lineup
Norichika Aoki, RF
Alex Gordon, LF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Billy Butler, DH
Salvador Perez, C
Omar Infante, 2B
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS
There is plenty of speed on the team to manufacture runs, if batters can get on base. This is another team of relative unknowns playing in a small market town who have to overperform in order to get noticed.
Minnesota
Pros: The minors have upcoming talent in Miguel Sano and Bryon Buxton.
Cons: Aging Mauer now at first, no lead off hitter.
Projected lineup
Alex Presley, CF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Josh Willingham, LF
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Josmil Pinto, C
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Pedro Florimon, SS
Mauer is still the team's best hitter, but there is no protection behind him. Kubel is a non-roster invitee so that shows the lack of major league depth since he will probably start as the team's DH. If Pinto does not pan, the team signed veteran Kurt Suzuki as back up. The Twins are a team in hard transition. It appears the Twins will fall to the bottom of the division.
Chicago
Pros: Added potential impact players in Eaton, Abreu and Garcia since last opening day;
Cons: the infield is in flux
Projected lineup
Adam Eaton, CF
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Jose Abreu, 1B
Adam Dunn, DH
Avisail Garcia, RF
Alexi Ramirez, SS
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Matt Davidson, 3B
Josh Phegley, C
Eaton was acquired to lead off, and play a quality defensive CF. De Aza was the best outfielder on the team last season, but he will probably platoon in left with Dayan Viciedo, who has been disappointing on offense. Ramirez and Beckham regressed last season, and third base is still an open wound. Rookie Matt Davidson could win the job, but it is probable that Conor Gillaspie will continue to place hold the position. Dunn will platoon with Paul Konerko at DH which could improve the production at that slot.
None of the lineups go more than five deep in good hitters. None of the lineups blows away the competition. There is so much uncertainty with these teams going through transition, it could be a wild open race decided by the quality of pitching staffs.
