Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but spring is just around the corner for Major League Baseball.
In preparation for the 2021 season, MLB.com will take the next few weeks to go around the horn and compare where each team in the American League Central stands
Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but spring is just around the corner for Major League Baseball.
In preparation for the 2021 season, MLB.com will take the next few weeks to go around the horn and compare where each team in the American League Central stands at each position in advance of what could be the closest division race in years.
The White Sox made big offseason moves by adding players like Lance Lynn, Adam Eaton and Liam Hendriks, while other clubs in the division picked up familiar faces (Eddie Rosario to the Indians, Carlos Santana to the Royals).
Here’s a look at how each AL Central club stacks up, starting behind the dish:
INDIANS
The known
In an offseason that required some difficult payroll decisions, the Indians didn’t think twice about picking up
The unknown
It’s clear that Pérez will be the Tribe’s primary catcher, but what’s unclear is how the club will use
— Mandy Bell
ROYALS
The known
Veteran catcher
The unknown
After Perez’s accomplishments in 2020 — including winning the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award — there isn’t much unknown about his starting spot. What is unknown is what happens after this year. Perez is entering the final year of his contract, and the Royals will likely try to extend him. The club’s payroll provides flexibility over the next few years, and that, combined with Perez’s talent, performance and meaning to the organization will increase the likelihood of an extension.
— Anne Rogers
TIGERS
The known
The Tigers will have their fifth different catcher pairing in as many years after signing Wilson Ramos to a one-year, $2 million deal. He said Monday that he told manager A.J. Hinch he was looking for close to everyday playing time, which helped sway him to Detroit. Despite a down season offensively last year with the Mets, Ramos brings some much-needed pop to a position where the Tigers have received minimal offensive support the last few seasons. His pitch-framing is a mixed bag, but he’s better coaxing called strikes inside and outside than low.
The unknown
While
— Jason Beck
TWINS
The known
At their best, the Twins should have one of the highest-upside catching tandems in the league between
The unknown
The Twins have maintained a healthy split in playing time between their primary and backup catchers under manager Rocco Baldelli over the past two seasons, and it remains to be seen what that split will look like this year, — especially since both Garver and Jeffers hit right-handed, leaving no clear platoon. Some of it could depend on how well Garver rebounds from his disappointing 2020 at the plate, which presents another uncertainty. Still, Garver’s improving defense and his cerebral approach to the game should give the Twins plenty of value regardless — and that historic upside still has to be in there somewhere. And where does
— Do-Hyoung Park
WHITE SOX
The known
The unknown
White Sox pitchers forged a strong bond with former catcher James McCann and the team greatly benefitted from his clubhouse presence over the last two years, but the veteran joined the Mets in free agency. So Chicago has a significant void to fill behind Grandal. Collins is a prominent candidate, as mentioned above, and has worked with Grandal at improving the intangibles of his craft. The White Sox also have
— Scott Merkin
Mandy Bell covers the Indians for MLB.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MandyBell02.