The AL Central may finally have a new champion in 2015, but the defending champion finishes worse than you think…

Michael Shames | Co-News Editor

Cleveland Indians (86-76)

Notable Additions: IF Brandon Moss, SP Gavin Floyd,
Notable Subtractions: IF Joe Weddle
The Indians did not do a whole lot this offseason, but the acquisition of Moss from the A’s could be the lethal dagger for the division. He smacked 25 home runs last year, along with 81 RBI, which should complement MVP candidate OF Michael Brantley and IF Jason Kipnis nicely. Their rotation, which includes 2015 Cy Young Award winner Cory Kluber and breakout starter Carlos Carrasco, is very young and has the potential to carry the team this year. Guys like Trevor Bauer and Danny Salazar have yet to prove themselves at the major league level, but have steadily improved each year. The tribe are very capable of winning their first division title since 2007.

Chicago White Sox (84-78)
Notable Additions: SP Jeff Samardzija, IF Adam Laroche, OF Melky Cabrera, RP David Robertson
Notable Subtractions: IF Marcus Semien, C Josh Phegley
While the Indians weren’t big players in this year’s offseason, the White Sox made a huge splash. First, they traded for right-handed starter Jeff Samardzija, who should complement left-handed ace Chris Sale really nicely. Both pitchers were in the top-10 in ERA last season. They improved their lineup by adding the powerful bat of IF Adam Laroche (26 home runs last year), and one of the best free-agent on-base guys in OF Melky Cabrera. Cabrera’s job will be to get on base for the big boys: Laroche and 2014 rookie of they year Jose Abreu (36 home runs, 107 RBI). The rest of their lineup could be a little dicy though, as many infield positions have yet to be solidified by one player. While it may be tough to beat the Indians for the division crown, expect the Sox to be in the heart of the wild card run.

Kansas City Royals (82-80)
Notable Additions: SP Edinson Volquez, DH Kendrys Morales, OF Alex Rios, SP Kris Medlen
Notable Subtractions: SP James Shields, OF Nori Aoki
Last season, the Royals pulled off one of the most unpredictable second-half streaks to sneak their way into the playoffs and to the World Series. Unfortunately, they will have an even tougher time making the postseason this year. In addition to a more competitive division, they are simply a worse team this year overall. They lost their star pitcher in Shields, who happens to be one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. The Royals tried to fills this hole with the additions of Volquez, who will likely show signs of regression, and Medlen, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. While they do have one of the strongest bullpens in the game (with Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis), I don’t know if there offense will be able to put up enough runs to make this a factor. IF Eric Hosmer should be in for a more productive season, but there offense doesn’t extend much further past him and OF Lorenzo Cain. The Royals should be able to win some games this season, but another world series run seems highly unlikely.

Detroit Tigers (80-82)
Notable Additions: OF Yoenis Céspedes, OF Anthony Gose, SP Alfredo Simon
Notable Subtractions: SP Max Scherzer, SP Rick Porcello
Yes, the Tigers have won four stragith AL Central titles. But, like the Royals, they will struggled with the enhanced divisional competition. The Tigers lost their best pitcher in Scherzer and another solid starter in Porcello. The addition of Simon may just be putting a band-aid on an open-wound, as the production that the Tigers got from the replaced pitchers was among the best in the league. Former Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has struggled mightily the past few years due to a decrease in velocity, so a major bounce back season is not likely. And while IF Miguel Cabrera should keep up his consistent production, expect a drop-off from DH Victor Martinez. The team’s bullpen is among the worst in baseball, which could account for important games lost down the stretch. Although they may seem like a favorite, I would be surprised to see the Tigers in the playoffs.

Minnesota Twins (69-93)
Notable Additions: OF Torii Hunter, SP Ervin Santana
Notable Subtractions: None
The Twins have one of the least intimidating rotations in all of baseball, complemented by an equally dull lineup. Average-at-best hurlers Santana and Phil Hughes head the rotation, while the lineup will consist of star-in-decline C Joe Mauer and a mix of old veterans (Hunter) and minimal post-prospects (IF Brian Dozier and IF Trevor Plouffe). Their manager, hall-of-famer Paul Molitor, can still probably hit a ball farther than most of the players in this dismal lineup.The Twins would be lucky to finish fourth in this division and if you ask me if they have any chance of making the postseason, you will get a definitive “no.”