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Gregor: Addition of Rodon makes Sox team to beat in AL Central

Years from now, the Detroit Tigers can look back and be proud of finishing first in the AL Central from 2011-14.

But much like those powerhouse Cleveland Indians clubs from the 1990s, the Tigers are going to be kicking themselves at the same time.

With all of talent on the Detroit roster, headed by Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Victor Martinez and Max Scherzer, the Tigers have advanced to the World Series just one time.

And much like the '90s Indians, the Tigers failed to claim a championship.

Can Detroit win the World Series this season? They still have some talent and anything is possible, but the strong feeling here is the Tigers' window has closed.

Like the White Sox, Royals and Indians, the Tigers do have a solid chance to win the Central, but the division race is going to be a dogfight.

Let's take a closer look, in order of my predicted finish:

White Sox

I was on the fence about this pick ... for several reasons.

The Sox made some needed upgrades in the bullpen, but if new closer David Robertson has something more than the usual spring "dead arm," that is a sure sign of trouble.

Robertson has not pitched well in the Cactus League, and neither has the other big bullpen addition, Zach Duke. Zach Putnam has also struggled, and Daniel Webb was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte on Saturday.

More than anything last season, the bullpen dragged the White Sox down. The unit is still a concern, but experience has taught me not to look too closely at spring training statistics.

Third baseman Conor Gillaspie and catcher Tyler Flowers are still questionable at best, and so are starting pitchers John Danks and Hector Noesi.

But seeing top prospect Carlos Rodon strike out nine in 4 dominant innings against the Royals' regular lineup late last week puts the Sox over the top for me.

Rodon probably doesn't open the season on the 25-man roster, but the left-hander will be a deciding factor at some point soon.

A starting five that has Chris Sale, Jeff Samardzija. Jose Quintana and Rodon is going to be tough to beat.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City got hot when it counted last season and took the Giants to Game 7 of the World Series before Madison Bumgarner single-handedly gave San Francisco its third championship in five years.

The Royals did lose No. 1 starter James Shields to free agency over the winter, and Billy Butler and Nori Aoki are also gone.

There could also be a bit of a hangover in Kansas City after the impressive postseason run, but Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer and the back end of the bullpen (closer Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera) return and the Royals just might make it back to the Fall Classic.

Detroit Tigers

Victor Martinez is still very dangerous, but he is 36 years old and coming off knee surgery.

Miguel Cabrera is still very dangerous, but he is nearing his 32nd birthday and is coming off ankle and foot surgery.

Justin Verlander is still capable of being a dominant starter at 32, but he made an early exit from a spring start last week with a potential triceps injury.

See where this is going?

Detroit has been the undisputed king of the AL Central the past four seasons, but it's an older team that is showing signs of serious wear and tear.

Add in the loss of top starter Max Scherzer and outfielder Torii Hunter to free agency and the continuing slide of 40-year-old closer Joe Nathan, and it looks like a third-place finish for the Tigers.

Cleveland Indians

Ace manager Terry Francona is once again going to squeeze every ounce of talent out of his $81 million roster, with $15 million of that going to Nick Swisher.

There are some serious challenges in Cleveland, but Francona does have a solid nucleus that includes 2014 Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, underrated left fielder Michael Brantley, first baseman Carlos Santana and new designated hitter/right fielder Brandon Moss.

If the rotation holds up behind Kluber, the Indians could make it to the playoffs for the second time in three years under Francona.

Minnesota Twins

They were always competitive playing in a lousy stadium, the Metrodome.

Since moving to the baseball palace that is Target Field, Minnesota has been the exact opposite.

Until talented young prospects like center fielder Byron Buxton, third baseman Miguel Sano, shortstop Nick Gordon and starters Jose Berrios, Kohl Stewart and Alex Meyer arrive and get settled in, a basket of walleye fingers remains the MVP at Target Field.

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