AL Central update: Sox making ripples, surprising Royals making waves
Chris Getz has not been big-game hunting this off-season, but the new White Sox general manager did land a potential quality starting pitcher in Erick Fedde.
Getz also traded for another needed arm in the rotation (Mike Soroka) while bringing in two veteran catchers (Martin Maldonado, Max Stassi).
To date, all the additions don't come close to making the Sox contenders in 2024, but there's plenty of time for more impactful moves before spring training gets rolling.
How's the rest of the AL Central faring so far? Let's take a look:
Kansas City
A moribund team that lost 106 games last year and hasn't finished over .500 since 2015, the Royals are at least making an effort to improve.
Kansas City has been surprisingly active so far, spending $105 million on players.
The bulk of the money went to pitching, with Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha joining the rotation and Will Smith, Nick Anderson and Chris Stratton being added to the bullpen.
The Royals also signed outfielder Hunter Renfroe to a two-year, $13 million contract.
After years of failure, why has K.C. suddenly decided to try putting a competitive team together? Playing in baseball's worst division answers that question.
“All the divisions are tough, but I feel like our division right now is a little bit jumbled,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “Minnesota clearly had a great year last year and they’re going to be the team to beat, but there’s other things going on, transitions. We’re at a place in our timeline where we felt like if we added the right people, we can make a significant jump.”
Detroit
Prying Jason Benetti away from the White Sox strengthened the broadcast booth, and the Tigers have also improved their roster.
Starting pitchers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty are free-agent additions and they bring needed help to a rotation that was decimated by injuries last season.
Outfielder Mark Canha, described as an “on-base machine” by Detroit GM Scott Harris, was acquired from the Brewers in an early November trade.
Detroit also beefed up its bullpen, signing left-hander Andrew Chafin and revitalized righty Shelby Miller.
Cleveland
After a stellar 11-year run with the Guardians, manager Terry Francona announced his retirement and he'll await induction into the Hall of Fame.
Stephen Vogt takes over for Francona and inherits another strong starting rotation. There's also impressive depth, and that's why ace Shane Bieber is likely to be traded for some needed offensive help.
To date, Cleveland's additions have been minor.
Catcher Austin Hedges, a defensive specialist and offensive liability, signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Guardians. Free agent Ben Lively, an option to start or come out of the bullpen, and outfielder Estevan Florial, acquired from the Yankees in a trade, are the other newcomers.
Minnesota
The division's defending champs have been quiet to date.
Maybe the Twins are thinking they can win the AL Central again in 2024 without making any major upgrades. Or maybe they're cutting payroll due to financial concerns over local TV rights fees.
Three starters from last season's team, Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle, exited as free agents.
So far, relief pitcher Josh Staumont is the only notable addition for Minnesota.