AL Central

The results are in and Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has been named the AL Manager of the Year:

Francona beat out Boston skipper John Farrell by 16 points, with Oakland's Bob Melvin coming in third. Here's a look at the full results:

Max Scherzer is on the verge of winning the American League Cy Young Award. Is he also on the verge of being traded?

The Kansas City Royals enter the offseason with a few needs, and upgrading right field or second base ranks high on their list.

A reunion with Carlos Beltran, whom the team drafted in 1995, would certainly answer one of those needs.  A trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Brandon Phillips would address the other.  It appears that both of those options have been discussed.

The starting rotation of the Detroit Tigers is one of the best in baseball. It had the most wins (76), the lowest ERA (3.44) and the least homers allowed in the American League last season while leading the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts.

With free agency looming, and trade rumors swirling, the Indians look poised to make a big splash in the 2013-14 offseason.

Cleveland's salary commitments total a measly $48.28 million for the 2014 season, so the team figures to play heavily in the free-agency market. Additionally, given the team's depth at middle infield, and in the outfield, the Tribe could also be a major player on various trading blocks.

Any big moves that Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn makes this offseason will need to accomplish two things.

First, they have to make the White Sox better in 2015 and 2016 as well as next year. Second, they must be cost effective to a fault. 

The Kansas City Royals took a step forward as a successful franchise in 2013.  They produced a winning season for the first time in 10 years.  They continued to be relevant late into the season.  They had people talking about the possibility of them in the postseason.  The season has come to an end and the baseball world continues to talk about the Kansas City Royals.

Following one of the worst seasons in Chicago White Sox history, general manager Rick Hahn has his hands full as he prepares for the 2014 season. A return to competitiveness in the AL Central is a tall task, indeed.

Is there a definitive blueprint Hahn can follow to make sure the White Sox enter next year ready for a successful campaign, though? Of course not. If there was, every team would be following it, but Hahn is off to a riotous start.

The Tigers made history last year. The kind of history that isn’t exactly headline worthy.

Somewhat akin to the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s, Detroit became the sixth baseball team to make three straight League Championship Series appearances without winning a ring during that time.

Paul Konerko's days with the Chicago White Sox seem to be over after the team signed international free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu to a six-year, $68 million deal.

In addition to Abreu, the White Sox also have Adam Dunn under contract, creating a logjam at first base and DH.