Yesterday, I took a look at the updated starting nine position players for each American League East team. Today, I will cover the updated starting nine position players for each American League Central team.
Minnesota Twins
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Jason Kubel, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Nick Punto, 3B
Quick Take— The Twins lineup can can go any number of ways. They could put Hudson in the two-hole and move Mauer down to three, they could play Young in left and put Kubel at DH against righties, or they could put both Young and Kubel in the lineup and have Jim Thome come off the bench. There are a lot of options for Ron Gardenhire.
Chicago White Sox
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Gordon Beckham, 2B
3. Carlos Quentin, RF
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Alex Rios, CF
6. Alexei Ramirez, SS
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
8. Mark Teahen, 3B
9. Mark Kotsay, DH
Quick Take— Perhaps there is no lineup that is harder to put together than the White Sox’s. This lineup could go in nine different directions—Rios and Beckham could flip-flop and Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones will platoon at the DH spot.
Detroit Tigers
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Brandon Inge, 3B
7. Gerald Laird, C
8. Adam Everett, SS
9. Scott Sizemore, 2B
Quick Take— Another hard lineup to put together. Newly-signed Johnny Damon will help. I don’t see a reason to ever pitch to Cabrera. Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore should be two Rookie of the Year candidates.
Kansas City Royals
1. Scott Podsednik, CF
2. David DeJesus, LF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Jose Guillen, DH
5. Rick Ankiel, RF
6. Josh Fields, 3B
7. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
9. Chris Getz, 2B
9. Jason Kendall, C
Quick Take— With Alex Gordon starting the year on the DL and Alberto Callaspo fighting an oblique strain, this lineup is going to have a hard time scoring runs. This could be the opportunity that Josh Fields has been waiting for.
Cleveland Indians
1. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
2. Grady Sizemore, CF
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Travis Hafner, DH
5. Jhonny Peralta, 3B
6. Matt LaPorta, 1B
7. Lou Marson, C
8. Luis Valbuena, 2B
9. Michael Brantley, LF
Quick Take— This lineup is decent and goes into the season pretty underrated. I didn’t like the Russell Branyan signing because it takes away an opportunity from Michael Brantley. Now with Branyon hurt, Brantley will get his shot in left.
Tomorrow, I will take a look at the American League West.
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