Take it FWIW, but according to this guy on ESPN the Sox have the worst C, 3b, CF, RF, & DH in the division. #5 starter (Sale) is the only position that the Sox are best.

 

Catcher

1. Alex Avila, Tigers

2. Joe Mauer, Twins

3. Carlos Santana, Indians

4. Salvador Perez, Royals

5. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox

 

First base

1. Prince Fielder, Tigers

2. Paul Konerko, White Sox

3. Eric Hosmer, Royals

4. Justin Morneau, Twins

5. Matt LaPorta, Indians

 

Second base

1. Jason Kipnis, Indians

2. Gordon Beckham, White Sox

3. Johnny Giavotella, Royals

4. Alexi Casilla, Twins

5. Ramon Santiago, Tigers

 

Third base

1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

2. Mike Moustakas, Royals

3. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians

4. Danny Valencia, Twins

5. Brent Morel, White Sox

 

Shortstop

1. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians

2. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

3. Jhonny Peralta, Tigers

4. Alcides Escobar, Royals

5. Jamey Carroll, Twins

 

Left field

1. Alex Gordon, Royals

2. Alejandro De Aza, White Sox

3. Ben Revere, Twins

4. Michael Brantley/Shelley Duncan, Indians

5. Ryan Raburn/Don Kelly, Tigers

 

Center field

1. Austin Jackson, Tigers

2. Denard Span, Twins

3. Grady Sizemore, Indians

4. Lorenzo Cain, Royals

5. Alex Rios, White Sox

 

 

Right field

1. Shin-Soo Choo, Indians

2. Brennan Boesch, Tigers

3. Jeff Francoeur, Royals

4. Josh Willingham, Twins

5. Dayan Viciedo, White Sox

 

Designated hitter

1. Billy Butler, Royals

2. Travis Hafner, Indians

3. Ryan Doumit, Twins

4. Delmon Young, Tigers

5. Adam Dunn, White Sox

 

No. 1 starter

1. Justin Verlander, Tigers

2. John Danks, White Sox

3. Justin Masterson, Indians

4. Luke Hochevar, Royals

5. Carl Pavano, Twins

 

No. 2 starter

1. Doug Fister, Tigers

2. Ubaldo Jimenez, Indians

3. Gavin Floyd, White Sox

4. Francisco Liriano, Twins

5. Jonathan Sanchez, Royals

 

No. 3 starter

1. Max Scherzer, Tigers

2. Scott Baker, Twins

3. Philip Humber, White Sox

4. Bruce Chen, Royals

5. Josh Tomlin, Indians

 

No. 4 starter

1. Felipe Paulino, Royals

2. Rick Porcello, Tigers

3. Jake Peavy, White Sox

4. Derek Lowe, Indians

5. Nick Blackburn, Twins

 

No. 5 starter

1. Chris Sale, White Sox

2. Jacob Turner, Tigers

3. Aaron Crow/Danny Duffy, Royals

4. Fausto Carmona/David Huff/Jeanmar Gomez, Indians

5. Brian Duensing/Jason Marquis, Twins

 

Closer

1. Jose Valverde, Tigers

2. Joakim Soria, Royals

3. Matt Thornton, White Sox

4. Chris Perez, Indians

5. Matt Capps, Twins

 

Bullpen

1. Indians -- Vinnie Pestano, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Joe Smith, Nick Hagadone

2. Royals -- Jonathan Broxton, Greg Holland, Louis Coleman, Tim Collins, Jose Mijares

3. Tigers -- Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel, Phil Coke, Daniel Schlereth, Al Alburquerque

4. White Sox -- Jesse Crain, Jason Frasor, Will Ohman, Addison Reed, Dylan Axelrod

5. Twins -- Glen Perkins, Alex Burnett, Anthony Swarzak, Kyle Waldrop, Lester Oliveros

 

 

Intangibles

1. Royals

2. Indians

3. Tigers

4. White Sox

5. Twins

 

 

The final tally

1. Tigers, 65 points

2. Royals, 55 points

3. Indians, 54 points

4. White Sox, 46 points

5. Twins, 35 points

The fact that Beckham is the second-best 2B in the division is STAGGERING.

Time will tell on that RF ranking...I have a feeling the end of the year won't look like that. However, can't disagree on much else, and that's okay(ish) given that this is a lost season.

 

Maybe the bullpen rankings are iffy too.

The fact that Beckham is the second-best 2B in the division is STAGGERING.

the fact that De Aza is the second best LF in the division is even more telling IMO

The fact that Beckham is the second-best 2B in the division is STAGGERING.

 

Fantastic D?

 

But I agree, that's amazing.

 

But also, these rankings mean s***.

When was this list compiled? He has Frasor as part of the Sox bullpen.

This guy's got a lot of things wrong.

 

The Sox' bullpen, which, even after trading Santos and Frasor (who he included on accident for some reason), is still one of the better ones in the division.

 

I also don't see how A.J. is worse than Salvador Perez, who's a B prospect (if he still was a prospect).

Edited February 9, 201214 yr by chw42

Maybe the bullpen rankings are iffy too.

 

Bullpen rankings are always iffy unless you have Mo Rivera at the back end. So much s*** can change with relievers from year to year.

 

When was this list compiled? He has Frasor as part of the Sox bullpen.

 

January 26, just found it today.

Can't disagree with a lot of this.

 

AJ always gets dinged because he can never throw anybody out.

 

Am I the only one still getting used to not seeing Buehrle's name in the rotation? When it said #1 starter and there was Danks... I think it's finally hit me...

About right. I'm not convinced this is a 4th place team in the Central. But it could happen. Anywhere around 2-4 seems about right.

 

 

That list actually shows how s***ty the division is. I think the Indians are going to regress badly, the Royals will be streaky (with their pitching), and the Tigers are just a few injuries away from being the class of the division to only pretty good.

 

 

Am I the only one still getting used to not seeing Buehrle's name in the rotation?

 

 

Makes me want to puke. Seeing Mark take the field has been my favorite sign the season has begun. The smile, the quick throw and baseball was back for a new season. It's just not going to be the same.

It's a wonder how they can make a prediction for the season performance in February

Wow, the Central has some terrible corner OFs.

It's a wonder how they can make a prediction for the season performance in February

You pretty much assume everyone will do exactly as they did the year before, and then sprinkle in a bit of your own personal bias regarding which players you like.

While, unfortunately, I agree with most of these rankings, I've got to shake my head at the way they ranked the DH's.

 

Dunn was awful last year, sure. Historically awful.

 

...but I don't think you can pencil him in as being the worst. He will have more RBI's this year than Doumit will have games played. Book it.

Here's to hoping the SOX finish number one in the rankings in each of the said positions.

 

GO SOX!

 

 

I also don't see how A.J. is worse than Salvador Perez, who's a B prospect (if he still was a prospect).

I see it, definitely. AJ is one of the worst defensive catchers in the game. Perez is quite good in that aspect. Perez also was league average offensively pretty much everywhere he went in the minors despite being very young for each league. He's still just 21.

Fantastic D?

 

But I agree, that's amazing.

 

But also, these rankings mean s***.

 

Staggering as in, I can't believe there are 3 worse 2B's in the division.

lol @ 2B and LF in this division.

 

Morneau #4? Rios #5? Dunn #5? Oh how the mighty MVP/All-Stars have fallen.

Dunn is the worst DH in the division?

 

Dunn is the worst DH in the division?

 

 

I know he had a terrible year last year but I was thinking the same thing.

I know he had a terrible year last year but I was thinking the same thing.

 

Its asinine. But then agian it is ESPN. Lot craziness on there.

 

 

Peavy over Porcello? I don't think so. Peavy, when healthy, has a track record. Porcello had a somewhat good year when he had a babip of .279.

 

 

I think Dunn will end up being not the worst DH in the division, but after having the worst season of anyone in over a hundred years, how can you put him anywhere but last?

Is Peavy really considered to be the number 4 starter?