The Rotations - AL Central

Tigers

Guaranteed Spots: Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman

The final spot in the rotation will belong to Jeremy Bonderman, though it might have not been a given if the Tigers had some competition for Bonderman. The right-hander wore down at the end of last season going 1-8, 8.23 over his final 10 starts. That was after a 10-1, 3.53 start.

The Tigers gave up prospect Andrew Miller as part of the Miguel Cabrera-Willis deal, but Willis should have an immediate impact on the rotation.

Verlander is the stud/workhorse of the rotation. Robertson just got himself a new deal will give the Tigers many solid starts. Kenny Rogers is 43 and must prove he can stay healthy. The Tigers can plug in Zach Miner for some spot starts.

The Tigers staff could be anywhere from very good to good enough.

Indians

Guaranteed Spots: C.C. Sabthia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd

Sabathia had to be keeping a close eye on the Johan Santana contract negotiations, and although GM Mark Shapiro said he would not trade his big left-hander before the season is over, anything is possible.

Carmona went from closer bust in ’06 to 19 wins as a start last season. He showed poise during the first round playoff win against the Yankees in the ALDS.

Westbrook is what he is. He’ll lose nearly as many games as he wins, but he should give you 200 innings. Byrd was busted for HGH use, and then made lame excuses for it. How that will impact his 2008 season remains to be seen. A guy with no great stuff, Byrd has managed to win 97 big league games.

The final spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Cliff Lee was 5-8, 6.29 in an injury plagued season. The left-hander won 32 games the prior 2 years and has the inside track for the final spot.

Jeremy Sowers was 7-4, 3.57 in 14 rookie starts in ’06, but was awful (1-6, 6.42) in 13 starts last year. Adam Miller has been highly touted since being drafted out of high school in 2003. He spent the full season at Triple-A last year (5-4, 4.82, 68 Ks in 65.1 IP) and, if healthy, should compete for the last spot.

Twins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Baker

With Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza gone, the starting rotation is wide open for the Twins. Scott Baker went 9-9, 4.26 and threw 143.2 innings, to bounce back from a terrible 2006 season, to be the only guaranteed spot. Boof Bonser (8-12, 5.10) would be next on that list.

Francisco Liriano missed last season with Tommy John surgery, but says he ready for spring training. That doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to pitch at the major league level when teams break camp.

Kevin Slowey showed some of his promise in 13 appearances, 11 as a starter (4-1, 4.72) for the Twins, and a stellar 10-5, 1.89 mark at Triple-A.

Of the prospects acquired for Santana, only Phil Humber has a shot at making the rotation during the grapefruit league. GM Bill Smith may still be looking to add a veteran presence before the team heads to Minnesota.

Update - 4:40 pm 2/12 - The Twins have agreed to terms with free agent Livan Hernandez on 1-year, $5 million deal. Hernandez can earn another $2 million in incentives.

Royals

Guaranteed Spots: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke

Meche showed last year that he was well worth the big contract the Royals gave him prior to the 2007 season.

The Mets had to be kicking themselves for dealing Bannister for hard throwing, wild reliever, Armando Burgoix. Bannister put up very good numbers, 12-9, 3.87, in holding batters to a .249 average of 165 innings (27 starts).

Greinke started to blossom last season into the pitcher the Royals had always expected him to be. After starting the season in the rotation, Greinke was moved to the bullpen where he excelled. The Royals moved him back into the rotation late in the season and his promise continued. Overall he put together a fine season (7-7, 3.69), including a 2.42 ERA in the 2^nd half.

Brett Tomko (4-12, 5.55) was pretty much guaranteed the 4^th spot by new manager Trey Hillman, despite the fact that Tomko, in a word, stinks.

Hillman would like to have one left-hander added to that mix and either Jorge De la Rosa (8-12, 5.82) or John Bale (1-1, 4.05, 42K’s in 40 innings of relief) could fit the bill.

Kyle Davies (3-7, 6.66) continued his struggles after being acquired from the Braves and will probably start the season in Triple-A unless he puts together a big spring.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Royals