Lincoln Zdunich
Detroit Tigers
- C Dillon Dingler
- 1B Spencer Torkelson
- 2B Gleyber Torres
- SS Kevin McGonigle
- 3B Colt Keith
- OF Riley Greene
- OF Javier Báez
- OF Parker Meadows
- DH Kerry Carpenter
It’s now or never for Detroit. With ace Tarik Skubal entering his final year before free agency (and it looking incredibly unlikely that he signs an extension), they need to win now. Their major additions this offseason were on the pitching side, with that being a weaker point last season.
But the offense, despite the lack of new additions, is solid. Baéz, Greene, and Torres hope to continue on the All-Star seasons they had last year. And top prospect Kevin McGonigle is cruising through Spring Training, seeking to make his MLB debut at shortstop.
Cleveland Guardians
- C Bo Naylor
- 1B Kyle Manzardo
- 2B Brayan Rocchio
- SS Gabriel Arias
- 3B José Ramírez
- OF Steven Kwan
- OF Chase DeLauter
- OF George Valera
- DH Rhys Hoskins
It’s largely the same story for the Guardians as it is with the Tigers but, again, that’s not the worst thing. This was a team that came from 15 and a half games back of Detroit to win the AL Central division. It’s also a team that continues to be undervalued and then destroys expectations.
In large part that’s due to star contributors José Ramírez and Steven Kwan. Ramírez just finished off his third 30-30 season with the club and continues to be one of the most consistent players in MLB. The Guardians also finalized an extension with him earlier this year to keep him in Cleveland.
If Cleveland can tap into the magic of “Guards Ball” once again, they’ll be set to return to playoff glory.
Kansas City Royals
- C Salvador Perez
- 1B Vinnie Pasquantino
- 2B Jonathan India
- SS Bobby Witt Jr.
- 3B Maikel Garcia
- OF Kyle Isbel
- OF Lane Thomas
- OF Isaac Collins
- DH Starling Marte
The Royals have a much better lineup than you think they do. For a team that’s mostly middled around since they won the World Series in 2015, they have an abundance of star power in the lineup. From shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to Perez behind the dish. Plus WBC superstar Vinnie Pasquantino has been raking for Team Italy and hopes to do the same for Kansas City this year.
But they added Thomas and Collins to a desperately-needing outfield group, as well as inking the veteran Marte to a deal. And they extended Garcia this offseason to retain the left side of their infield for the foreseeable future.
The Royals haven’t been to the postseason since they faced the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, but they could easily make a return this year if everything lines up.
Minnesota Twins
- C Victor Caratini
- 1B Kody Clemens
- 2B Luke Keaschall
- SS Brooks Lee
- 3B Royce Lewis
- OF Matt Wallner
- OF James Outman
- OF Byron Buxton
- DH Josh Bell
The Twins had a fire sale at the 2025 Trade Deadline, giving up most of their stars. One of the main hitters they kept was Buxton who is a core piece of Minnesota’s plans for this year.
Apart from signing Bell and Caratini to smaller, short-term deals, the Twins didn’t do much to compete this offseason. But they have great young talent like Keaschall, Lewis, and Clemens to watch for the next few years.
The club was very competitive before falling out of contention halfway through last season, leading to a complete overhaul by the front office. How that will shake out remains to be seen this year.
Chicago White Sox
- C Edgar Quero
- 1B Munetaka Murakami
- 2B Chase Meidroth
- SS Colson Montgomery
- 3B Miguel Vargas
- OF Luisangel Acuña
- OF Austin Hays
- OF Derek Hill
- DH Andrew Benintendi
It’s hard to believe it, but the White Sox did get better last year! They improved on their historically bad 2024 record by 19 games. And, although a 60-102 record doesn’t sound good, it is a lot better than 41-121.
After swooping in at the last minute, the Sox have one of the more interesting free agents from this offseason in Murakami. The Japanese slugger will play first base for the club and is known for his high home run totals and even higher strikeout numbers. How he adjusts to MLB will make the difference for the rebuild Chicago’s undertaken.
But they have lots of talent to watch for. They signed Hays, traded star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. for Acuña, and held onto top prospects Meidroth and Montgomery. If they continue to improve, they have to be good again at some point…right?
