I think Rios can't fall any worse. He'd have to hit Jacque Jones levels for that.

Scherzer I think will have a make or break year so you probably get the hint of what I think he'll do.

Morneau would be a shame if he retires early.

I think the Sox will be last. They lost some good players - Buerhle, Santos, Quentin -- and their only notable acquisition was Fukodome.

I think the Twins will be better than a lot of people think. Injuries were a huge reason they were as bad as they were last year, and they should be somewhat healthier this year. Losing Kubel and Cuddyer was a bit of blow, but they did add some decent bats in Willingham and Doumit and Carroll will be an upgrade over Nick Punto.

Carroll is a nice addition over Punto

I'm not sure how much positive Doumit brings.

Willingham is a nice new player to build around.

<but>

When ya give a guy like Zoom guaranteed MLB money, and he lasts about a dozen pitches, it speaks to how bad you think your pitching will be.

And I hypothesize it will be a lot worse than that.

<Soxx>

Addition by subtraction. Starts with Ozzie, then extends to all those you listed. It is a formula that has worked in the past in lots of cases. And can see it working on the south side here. (esp. if everyone left there feels that same way) In which case Ventura will be in the running for a manager of the year award at the end of the year.

"Morneau would be a shame if he retires early."

I agree. I grew up a Tigers fan in Twin territory, so I do have a chip on my shoulder about the Twins due to all the hazing I have endured by friends. However, he is has such talent and it would be very sad to have him out of the game for good. I just don't see him returning to form.

I don't see Mauer return to form either.

But you know Minnesota is very worried if they're already considering a position move to 1B for Mauer.

Can't blame them for the contract they gave him, given his age and his MVP season. I feel bad for him personally, but it's nice to not really think of the Twins as a threat for once.

Breakout, as I define it, is-make a splash on the baseball scene. Everyone knows Hosmer and Santana will be studs for years to come after last year.

If you're predicting breakout players, I would think you'd be looking for under the radar types. But hey, to each his own.

Baker was good last year, but I don't see him raising his game any further. I see a solid, but not too exciting career the rest of the way for him.

I know what you mean, but I am just saying......

My thing is with Santana was people think he really can't go much higher after last year. I still think he can.

Breakouts:

1. The Detroit Tigers who win the AL Central rather easily.
2. The Kansas City Royals who finally put together a good season and finish 2nd and with a respectable record (although never a real challenge to Detroit).
3. Boesch and Delmon Young who both get a bump from hitting before and after the big 2. They will both have great seasons, both hitting in the 20-25 homer range and getting 80-90 RBI. It will be a solid season for both!
4. A solid 1-2-3 in the Tigers starting staff and a very solid back end of the bullpen. Verlandar should hit 18-20 wins with ease and both Fister and Max should contribute 16-18 as well. Porcello will also rebound and on this high scoring offense rack up 15-17 wins. Question mark to the 5th starter as of now. The 7-8-9th inning team of Dotel, Benoit and Valverde will be able to close games out way more often than not. This will take pressure off the starters knowing that they only need 6 strong innings and don't have to pitch a complete game every time out. I think the Tigers pitching will be a big story this year!

add up the rbi's and wins with those breakout predictions and the Tigers would be on track to set some team W-L record. +100 wins or not, let's just hope there's a little priority if and when it comes to getting the home field for the playoffs this year

I will fulfill this assignment prior to opening day. LOL

<quick hit however>

He certainly is at the top of my list for Royals disappointments.

Johnathan Sanchez gave up four in the first today. Only three earned however, thanks to a Mike Moustakus (sp, I know) error. Only pitched one inning. I just don't think Sanchez is any good

KC lost to the Cubs, 6-4.

<and>

All the more reason Zach should make this squad. :)

<<<<< All the more reason Zach should make this squad. >>>>>

Why?....he isn't any better.....

We shall see.

<again>

Gonna laugh so hard if he gets two W's against us this year, and we miss by one.

He's gonna look right in that third base dugout and say "that's what ya get ya Old Coot, for starting Alfredo Figaro over me in game 161. Enjoy the winter"

<<<<< "that's what ya get ya Old Coot, for starting Alfredo Figaro over me in game 161. >>>>>

That is the single handed worse thing he has done since he's been here...IMO....

Oooh

Just looked at the schedule.

Six of the last nine are against the Royals.

<Last 3>

Oct.1-3, in KC.

I guess it might be the first base dugout then. :)

<161>

Still haunts me. Leyland was literally preparing game 163 for Minnesota and not thinking about the Yankees. I shook my head over that whole issue.

Detroit Tigers

Breakout: Jhonny Peralta. Steady, average, at a position where a standout has the ability to shine over all the others in the league. As to our position players, Peralta is the only one (amongst JLs shuffling of the line-ups we're going to see) that if healthy will/should play in a multitude of games (145 ish) As a result, he stands to be the one that will bring the most notable impact if he excels.

He has to pick up any scraps that Cabrera, Fielder and Young leave him. He has a team option next year (for 6 million) that should keep him motivated to either get it exercised, or receive an extension. (with the money that we won't be paying Brandon Inge) In a field of shortstops, Peralta has a chance to be noticed, and give the appearance that he is one of the premier ones in the league.

If he breaks-out, that perception won't be far from the truth.

Bust: Octavio Dotel. Sure, he has been good in the past. Sure he has done it with many teams, over many years. Sure, his metrics support that he will be able to do the same for us. I just don't think that it is going to happen.

It may be the he just hits the wall of age. It may be misuse of his perceived talent. It could well be that he just isn't as good as he appears to be. The good thing is, if he is a bust, he will not have a huge impact on the result of the season. For as a situational/one inning guy, that impact should be minimal. Unless it isn't.

Chicago White Sox

Breakout: Dayan Viciedo. De Aza seems to be getting all the pub. I think that Viciedo will be the better player. He is as ready as he'll ever be. He is in a situation where all he has to do now is play, he certainly hasn't had a good spring however. If he is not the answer, he could likely be sent to the minors. But I think he will take off. And if taking off just means being a steady force in the L-U, and helps others perform better his success will be breakout worthy.

Bust: Gordon Beckham. It's still to early to call his career a bust, but he sure has dropped off from that rookie year. He is going to be depended on to be a big part of the offense. If/when he continues to fall, the bust factor will be noticeable. He still will be an everyday player, but one that might be a black hole rather than an asset.

Cleveland Indians

Breakout: Shelly Duncan. In a line-up starved for offense, Duncan has a chance to make a big impact. Fist time he's got a starting gig and for good reason. In New York as a youngster, he wasn't going to get a lot of playing time. The Indians are pretty much forced to use him, and his outfield defense is more than suspect. He has a chance to make up for it offensively, and if he does he'll be a breakout player.

Bust: Chris Perez. Living off the one good year, and as far as closers go even that one wasn't great. On a team with marginal offensive capabilities, he has to be nearly perfect. He is pretty far from that. And he'll be a noticeable bust even if he's average. The team will suffer in the capability to compete if that ends up being the case. If Perez is worse than that, they won't even be in the mix.

Minnesota Twins

Breakout: Josh Willingham. Money well spent (3yrs/21 mill, i think it was) A bit past his prime, but not too old. Solidifying a line-up in need of stabilizing. Even in Target Field, his offense should be enough to be a difference maker. Too bad the Twins need more help than he can provide, but if the M & M boys can return to some kind of form those three are a pretty formidable middle of the order.

Bust: Danny Valencia. He sure fell off last year, for a guy I thought had a ROY-half season in 2010. Of course he could rebound, and should benefit from a more competitive L-U. It will also help if the Twins can hang around in the first half, making the games more meaningful. The problem is, they probably won't and Valencia's season will suffer as a result. I will not give up on him having a successful career and improvement in the future, but for this ear he's likely to be a bust.

Kansas City Royals

Breakout: Greg Holland. Sometime during the season he will become the new closer. He will make the question of bringing back Soria moot. He seems to be real good, seems to have the make-up. He will be a bright spot

Bust: Jonathan Sanchez. Could pick any of the starters, so I just threw all the names into a hat and picked one. All of them have some promise, but I think they all have problems. (either too young, or just not too good) And when your whole starting staff could be a bust, it doesn't matter how much promise the young offensive talent can muster.

Interesting........

Man, ya must be a speed reader. :)