MLB Previews: Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox Last season: 72-90, .444, 24 GB in AL Central 2008 Outlook: The Sox finished last in the AL in runs (693) and batting average (.246) in 2007 but did little to improve on those numbers. World Champions in 2005, the Sox have deteriorated badly the past two seasons. Manager Ozzie Guillen will be fighting for his job in 2008. Biggest Changes: Orlando Cabrera replaces Scott Podsednik at the top of the lineup. Carlos Quentin and Nick Swisher will get plenty of time in the outfield or as DH. Relievers Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink were paid handsomely to shore up the bullpen. Jon Garland was traded away, as well. Rookie/Free Agent Prospects: Josh Fields may take over full time at third base, depending on how well Joe Crede recovers from back surgery. Danny Richar may be the starting second baseman, but he's very unproven. Best fantasy bets: Jim Thome and Paul Konerko are the 3-4 hitters and should both knock 35. Jermaine Dye is the best all-around position player and could be valuable in the outfield. There aren't any pitchers worth recommending as the bullpen is still shaky. Three Excellent Links: Eight Men Out, movie about the Black Sox scandal Chicago Sun-Times Sports Lou Malnati's Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizzerias Next: Kansas City Royals

MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins Last season: 79-83, .488, 17 GB in AL Central 2008 Outlook: The Twins made wholesale changes before Spring Training. Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and catcher Joe Mauer remain the heart of the lineup, but there are lost so new regulars and the pitching staff will have many new faces. Thus, the Twins are rebuilding and not likely to finish much better than .500 in '08. Biggest Changes: No team made more changes in the off-season. Johan Santana is no longer the #1 starter, after his off-season trade to the NY Mets. That's huge. The Twins also failed to sign their best position player, Torii Hunter, who skipped to the LA Angels. There are so many changes, the easiest way to note the slew of them is this list of additions: Brendan Harris, 2B, Adam Everett, SS, Mike Lamb, 3B, Craig Monroe, OF, Delmon Young, OF, Carlos Gomez, OF, Livan Hernandez, SP, Philip Humber, SP; and departures: Jason Bartlett, SS, Jason Tyner, OF, Rondell White, OF, Carlos Silva, SP, Matt Garza, SP. Rookie/Free Agent Prospects: Gomez, Lamb, Young, Everett and Harris are all projected starters, but watch for Craig Monroe to emerge as a power threat, and crack the lineup if he can cut down on his Ks. Francisco Liriano joins Scott Baker as the top two starters. Prospects Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn could eventually be starters. Best fantasy bets: Justin Morneau is easily the best power hitter on the team. Craig Monroe might be a great late draft round pick or free agent pick up. one could take a shot with Nick Blackburn when and if he becomes available. Joe Nathan is a quality closer, but one wonders how many changes he'll get. Three Excellent Links: Twins news via Topix.com Nick & Nick Twins Blog Nick Blackburn career stats Next: Chicago White Sox

MLB Previews: Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers Last season: 88-74, .543, 8 GB in AL Central 2008 Outlook: After fading in the second half of the season last year, the Tigers decided to bolster their already-power-laden lineup even further by adding free agent Miguel Cabrera at third base. They also added Edgar Renteria at short and enticed Dontrelle Willis over from the Marlins. The Tigers should challenge for the Central Division title again this year. Biggest Changes: As mentioned, Cabrera, Renteria and Willis are the major additions. In exchange, the Tigers only lost prospects, so the lineup will still include 2007 starters Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Carlos Guillen and Ivan Rodriguez. That's LOADED. Rookie/Free Agent Prospects: None, really. They've all been traded away. This season for the Tigers is "now or never." Best fantasy bets: You really can't go wrong with Magglio Ordonez, who would have been the AL MVP if there wasn't some guy named Rodriguez playing in New York. Carlos Guillen is the best sleeper pick at first base. Miguel Cabrera is a top choice at third, if you can get him, and he's reunited with former Marlin and World Series hero, Renteria. With all that hitting, the pitching is not great, though Justin Verlander could have a huge year in '08. Three Excellent Links: Detroit Free Press Sports Al Kaline bio, records, achievements Detroit restaurants and bars near Comerica Park Next: Minnesota Twins

MLB Previews: Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians Last season: 96-66 .593, won AL Central, beat Yankees in ALDS, lost to Boston in ALCS. 2008 Outlook: For a team that accomplished so much in 2007, the Indians made very few off-season moves, though they lost two veteran role-players, Kenny Lofton and Trott Nixon. Lofton was particularly effective in the playoffs, and the Indians haven't done anything to replace either his speed or experience. Great pitching and timely hitting were cornerstones for Cleveland last season and the big two starters, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona should keep them in the hunt throughout. Jake Westbrook could also have a splendid year, after spending much of 2007 on the DL. The middle relief is probably the best in the majors. The Indians will vie for a repeat win of the Central and another shot in the playoffs. Biggest Changes: None to speak of, except David Dellucci in left and Franklin Gutierrez in right, flanking all-star Grady Sizemore. The Indians may be looking around to make a trade for a top-flight outfielder after letting Lofton go. Rookie/Free Agent Prospects: Reliever Masahide Kobayashi was signed out of Japan to a nice contract, ostensibly as an insurance policy should closer Joe Borowski stumble. Jeremy Sowers, who finished last season in AAA Buffalo, will likely make a re-appearance as a regular starter. Best fantasy bets: Travis Hafner hits for plenty of power, but his whiffs are high and his batting average is average (.266). Grady Sizemore is a better pick, as he matched Hafner in homers (24) and his 118 runs and 33 steals more than make up for the difference in RBI (100 for Hafner, 78 for Sizemore). Sabathia and Carmona are top-line starters, but the real steal could be Jake Westbrook. Three Excellent Links: Wikipedia entry on Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) Cleveland.com and Cleveland Plain Dealer Tribe news, updates, opinions, blogs. Larry Doby's Hall of Fame page Next: Detroit Tigers