Depth Chart Analysis - Pitching in the AL Central

Twins		Royals		Indians		White Sox		Tigers
Scott Baker	C+	Gil Meche	B	Cliff Lee	B-	Mark Buehrle	B-	Justin Verlander	B-
Francisco Liriano	B+	Zach Greinke	A-	Fausto Carmona	C+	John Danks	B+	Edwin Jackson	C+
Kevin Slowey	B	Kyle Davies	C	Carl Pavano	D-	Gavin Floyd	B	Armando Galarraga	B-
Glen Perkins	B-	Sidney Ponson	F	Anthony Reyes	D	Jose Contreras	C-	Rick Porcello	D+
Nick Blackburn	B-	Horacio Ramirez	D-	Aaron Laffey	D+	Bartolo Colon	C	???????	F
Full Rotation Grade	B		C+		D+		B		D-

The Minnesota Twins -All around, I think that this could be one of the most well rounded rotations in the game. Honestly, I had Francisco Liriano pegged to win the 2009 Cy Young Award before the season began, which is the only reason why he is still ranked so highly after such a poor start. Baker, Slowey, Perkins, and Blackburn are all very young pitchers who are only going to improve as they spend more time in the league. Not only will all 5 of those guys form a well rounded rotaion that will keep their team in the majority of ballgames started, but they will also go into the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th of most of the ball games they start, resulting in a very well rested/unexposed bullpen. This could end up being the tightest division in baseball in regards to the all around competitive manor of the entire division; however, this division will be won by the Twins because of this staff.

The Kansas City Royals - When the Royals first signed Gil Meche, I laughed. How can this team try and be competitive when they give Gil Meche an average salary of 11 million dollars per season?? At first it seemed like pure stupidity to give a guy like Meche a contract of that size, based on the fact that he was one of the best free agents on the market (which says a lot about the market at that time). Fortunately for the Royals, Meche has made me eat my words and has developed into a very serviceable starter to float out to the mound every 5^th day. On top of leading with Meche, the Royals have developed one of the league’s biggest up and coming pitchers in Zach Grenke who, will undoubtedly be this teams ace one day. Already this season, Grenke has dominated every opponent that he has thrown against. Grenke has yet to allow a run over 20 innings pitched and has struck out a phenomenal 26 batters during this span. Kyle Davies has gotten off to a great start, but he must stay healthy and consistent in order to prove to really round this rotation out. After you move beyond the 3^rd spot in this rotation, you really begin to see it fall off talent wise. Sidney Ponson and Horacio Ramirez are better slated to be playing in the Independent Leagues, rather than the AL central. If Brian Bannister and former first overall pick Luke Hochevar, can find themselves in the minor leagues, watch out, this could be a very nasty rotation.

The Cleveland Indians - Here is where many of the professionals get me scratching my head. I have heard from many that the Cleveland Indians should win the AL Central, but I do not see how this will happen with a D+ starting rotation. Cliff Lee is going to have a very difficult time trying to repeat (or even come close) to his performance last season. I do not care what anyone says, Cliff Lee is NOT an ace, just a one season fluke. Fausto Carmona, though off to a very poor start, could be well on is way to a rebound year if he can remain healthy. Nobody knows what is going to come out of Carl Pavano and Anthony Reyes, though I am fairly certain that the Indians are glad that they did not give Pavano 40 million dollars to sip Margaritas on his boat. Laffey could be a bight spot for this rotation, however he is still unproven and very young.

The Chicago White Sox -  The second best rotation in the division, a little more top heavy than the Minnesota rotaion, but still very good. Mark Buehrle has been very consistent over the last few seasons. Buehrle should be an exelent provider for this team in veteran leadership, quality starts, and a respectable Earned Run Average. John Danks seems to be a guy flying under the radar this season. Not as sexy of a name as Francisco Liriano, however Danks was among the league leaders in ERA last season. Gavin Floyd is coming off a break out 2008 where he not only posted a 3.83ERA, but also win 17 games for the White Sox. Conteras and Colon are both very serviceable back end of the rotation starters.

The Detroit Tigers - Could possibly be one of the worst rotations in the game. Justin Verlander is coming off the worst season of his career and can no longer be counted on to be an ace. I don’t even think that Edwin Jacksons mother thinks that he is good enough to repeat his performance from last season (see Cliff Lee). Rick Porcello may have one of the brightest futures in the majors, but he is definitely being rushed. Armando Galarraga is defiantly the shining star of this rotation, hopefully he has it in him to move up to the next level. Even if the stars align, Justin Verlander moves back to his near Cy Young Form, Edwin Jackson repeats his ’slightly better then mediocre’ 2008 season, Armando Galarraga becomes a star, and Rick Porcello wins the Rookie of the Year award, this team still has no clear cut 5^th starter. Between injuries to Bonderman, and the inconsistencies (and psychiatric profile) of D-Train, this may possibly be, the league’s worst rotation.