AL Central

A report surfaced this morning out of Baltimore saying that the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles had discussions on a possible three-way trade with pitcher Rick Porcello and shortstop J.J. Hardy being part of the deal.

The Washington Nationals and first baseman Adam LaRoche have agreed on a two-year deal (via the Washington Post). The terms are not yet known, though the initial offer was believed to be roughly around $25 million.

Earlier this week, I took a look at the Twins biggest weaknesses heading into the 2013 season. I think most are aware of the recent pitching woes and the struggle this team has endured. There are bright spots, however, and some may even stay bright for years to come.

The Kansas City Royals are continuing their makeover for the 2013 season by signing 2002 AL MVP Miguel Tejada.

The Minnesota Twins are in a position where they need to make moves to improve the active roster. In such situations, a team may decide to trade their biggest piece in order to make a quick upgrade.

On the surface, the Twins may not have that piece. However, that could change if they decide to make Joe Mauer available.

The Tigers rode their starting rotation to a Central Division title and an appearance in the World Series. The Tigers have insured they will have the same rotation (more or less) that pitched a great postseason for Detroit.

They do have several questions facing them for the 2013 season, can they stay healthy, can Porcello or Smyly take a hold of the fifth job, and can recently re-signed Anibal Sanchez pitch as well as he did down the stretch and in the playoffs.

The Detroit Tigers need to make a strong effort in attempting to sign closer Brian Wilson who is coming off Tommy John surgery but yet expected to be healthy by Opening Day according to Tim Brown at Yahoo! Sports.

Source: Brian Wilson has been told by surgeon James Andrews that he will be cleared for spring training and ready by opening day.

For many baseball fans, catching a glimpse of diamond heroes creates happy memories that are unshakable from the human psyche.

Mine being the time I met Atlanta Braves hurler Steve Avery, I can only imagine what baseball fans fans are feeling after seeing recently released and rare video of pitching legend Satchel Paige on the hill in 1948.  

Life isn’t exactly a fairytale. If it was I’d be writing this from a beach in the middle of the tropics, but instead I sit in the middle of the snow-filled farm country of Minnesota. There’s real rich soil, but it doesn’t quite have the same warmth as sand between your toes.

Sports have their own fairytale scenarios, usually referencing Cinderella. The MLB’s biggest Cinderella story might be the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs beat out the ugly stepsister New York Yankees and won their date with the Commissioner’s Trophy.

To put it bluntly, signing Nick Swisher doesn't make the Cleveland Indians a contender for the American League Central.