Chicago White Sox
2021 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS
MANAGER Tony La Russa (second season of second stint with team)
HE'S HERE INF Josh Harrison, RHP Joe Kelly, RHP Vince Velasquez, RHP Kendall Graveman, OF Adam Haseley
HE'S OUTTA HERE LHP Carlos Rodon, 2B Cesar Hernández, OF Brian Goodwin, OF Billy Hamilton, RHP Ryan Tepera
TOP HITTERS SS Tim Anderson (.309, 17 HR, 61 RBI), 1B Jose Abreu (.261, 30, 117), CF Luis Robert (.338, 13, 43 in 68 games), OF Eloy Jimenez (.249, 10, 37 in 55 games)
PROJECTED ROTATION RH Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA, 201 Ks), RH Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69), RH Dylan Cease (13-7, 3.91, 226 Ks), LH Dallas Keuchel (9-9, 5.28), RH Michael Kopech (4-3, 3.50 in 44 games, 4 starts)
KEY RELIEVERS RH Liam Hendriks (8-3, 2.54, AL-leading 38 out of 44 saves, 113 Ks in 71 IP), RH Joe Kelly (2-0, 2.86 with Dodgers), RH Kendall Graveman (5-1, 1.77, 10 saves with Seattle and Houston), RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-4, 3.43 in 20 games, 9 starts), LH Aaron Bummer (5-5, 3.51), LH Garrett Crochet (3-5, 2.82)
OUTLOOK The White Sox, runaway winners of the AL Central last season in La Russa's return to the South Side, are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history. They failed to advance both times, losing to Houston in four games in the Division Series after getting knocked out by Oakland in the first round in 2020. Now, they're looking for more. With Anderson and Abreu leading a loaded lineup and Giolito and Lynn anchoring a solid pitching staff, the White Sox have their sights set high. They're banking largely on staying healthy and improving from within after a surprisingly quiet offseason. Robert and Jimenez both missed big chunks of last season because of injuries. Kopech, who missed the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery and opted out in 2020, is moving from the bullpen to the rotation. Harrison, a two-time All-Star, figures to play second base with Leury Garcia remaining in a utility role. He has also played third, shortstop and each outfield spot in his 11 seasons.
Cleveland Guardians
2021 80-82, second place
MANAGER Terry Francona (10th season)
HE'S HERE C Luke Maile, RHP Ian Gibaut, RHP Jake Jewell
HE'S OUTTA HERE C Roberto Perez, 1B Jake Bauers, RHP Nick Wittgren
TOP HITTERS 3B Jose Ramírez (.266, 36 HR, 103 RBI, 27 SBs), SS Amed Rosario (.282, 11, 57), DH Franmil Reyes (.254, 30, 85 in 115 games)
PROJECTED ROTATION RH Shane Bieber (7-4, 3.17 ERA in 16 starts), RH Aaron Civale (12-5, 3.84, 31 walks in 1241/3 IP), RH Zach Plesac (10-6, 4.67), RH Triston McKenzie (5-9, 4.95, 136 Ks in 120 IP), RH Cal Quantrill (8-3, 2.89; 7-1 in second half)
KEY RELIEVERS RH Emmanuel Clase (4-5, 1.29 ERA, 24 saves), RH James Karinchak (7-4, 4.07, 11 saves), RH Bryan Shaw (6-7, 3.49, MLB-high 81 games), LH Sam Hentges (1-4, 6.68 in 30 games)
OUTLOOK New name, some familiar problems. No longer Cleveland's Indians, the Guardians head into the 2022 season with low expectations and one of baseball's lowest payrolls (about $51 million). After being sidelined by serious health issues the past two seasons, Francona returns for his 10th year with the club, which has stayed competitive despite limited spending. Francona will again lean on a strong rotation led by Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner who was sidelined for three months in 2021 by a shoulder strain. The bullpen lacks depth, but Clase has the chance to be a top-flight closer. Cleveland's most pressing needs are in the corner outfield spots and finding run production from an offense that struggled to score last season and hasn't been upgraded. One of baseball's best all-around players, Ramírez needs protection, and a healthy Reyes will help. But the Guardians don't appear to have enough to contend with the White Sox.
Detroit Tigers
2021 77-85, third place
MANAGER A.J. Hinch (second season)
HE'S HERE SS Javier Baez, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, C Tucker Barnhart, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Michael Pineda, OF/DH Austin Meadows
HE'S OUTTA HERE LHP Matthew Boyd, INF/OF Niko Goodrum, OF Jacoby Jones, LHP Daniel Norris, RHP Jose Urena
TOP HITTERS DH/1B Miguel Cabrera (.256, 15 HR, 75 RBI), SS Javier Baez (.265, 31, 87 with Cubs and Mets), 3B Jeimer Candelario (.271, 16, 67), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.278, 22, 84)
PROJECTED ROTATION LH Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8, 4.74 ERA with Boston), RH Casey Mize (7-9, 3.71), LH Tarik Skubal (8-12, 4.34), RH Matt Manning (4-7, 5.80), LH Tyler Alexander (2-4, 3.81)
KEY RELIEVERS LH Gregory Soto (6-3, 3.39 ERA, 18 saves), RH Michael Fulmer (5-6, 2.97, 14 saves)
OUTLOOK For the first time since signing Cabrera to a long-term contract in 2014, the Tigers were serious spenders over the winter, signing Rodriguez, Baez and Chafin and trading for Barnhart. Consequently, after five consecutive losing seasons, they consider themselves viable contenders in the expanded playoff format. Touted rookies Riley Greene in center field and Spencer Torkelson at first base were given serious chances to make the opening day roster. Last year's top rookie, outfielder Akil Baddoo, was installed as the leadoff hitter. Except for Rodriguez, the rest of the rotation is homegrown and has a combined 116 big league starts. Pineda and Wily Peralta were signed late in the spring as rotation insurance, but visa issues delayed their arrivals to camp.
Kansas City Royals
2021 74-88, fourth place
MANAGER Mike Matheny (third season)
HE'S HERE RHP Zack Greinke, SS Bobby Witt Jr., LHP Amir Garrett, RHP Brad Peacock
HE'S OUTTA HERE 2B Hanser Alberto, LHP Mike Minor, 1B Ryan McBroom, SS Lucius Fox
TOP HITTERS C Salvador Perez (.273, 48 HR, 121 RBI), RF Whit Merrifield (.277, 10, 74, 40 SBs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.276, 17, 73), 1B Carlos Santana (.214, 19, 69)
PROJECTED ROTATION RH Zack Greinke (11-6, 4.16 ERA with Houston), RH Brad Keller (8-12, 5.05), RH Brady Singer (5-10, 4.91), LH Kris Bubic (6-7, 4.43), RH Carlos Hernandez (6-2, 3.68), LH Daniel Lynch (4-6, 5.69)
KEY RELIEVERS RH Scott Barlow (5-3, 2.42 ERA, 16 saves), RH Josh Staumont (4-3, 2.88), LH Amir Garrett (0-4, 6.04 with Cincinnati), LH Jake Brentz (5-2, 3.66), RH Domingo Tapia (4-1, 2.84), LH Gabe Speier (0-0, 1.17)
OUTLOOK The Royals this season are a collision of the past, present and future. The past would be Greinke, their 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner who was traded to Milwaukee so many years ago and then chased riches elsewhere before returning to Kansas City this season. The present consists of Singer, Bubic, Lynch and the rest of the young rotation, which moved through the minors together and took their first big league lumps together, too. And the future lies in Witt, rated baseball's No. 1 prospect. He batted a combined .290 with 33 home runs, 97 RBI and 29 stolen bases at Class AA Northwest Arkansas and Class AAA Omaha last season. Throw in the return of a healthy Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop and the Royals could have an exciting lineup. And if those young pitchers can learn a thing or two from Greinke, the club could make a big jump from 74 wins.
Minnesota Twins
2021 73-89, fifth place
MANAGER Rocco Baldelli (fourth season)
HE'S HERE SS Carlos Correa, RHP Sonny Gray, C Gary Sanchez, 3B Gio Urshela, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Joe Smith
HE'S OUTTA HERE 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Nelson Cruz, C Mitch Garver, RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Alex Colome, SS Andrelton Simmons, INF Willians Astudillo
TOP HITTERS SS Carlos Correa (.279, 26 HR, 92 RBI, 104 runs for Houston), CF Byron Buxton (.306, 19, 32, 50 runs, 23 doubles in 61 games), 2B Jorge Polanco (.269, 33, 98, 97 runs), 1B Miguel Sano (.223, 30, 75)
PROJECTED ROTATION RH Sonny Gray (7-9, 4.19 ERA in 26 starts for Cincinnati), RH Joe Ryan (2-1, 4.05 in 5 starts), RH Bailey Ober (3-3, 4.19 in 20 starts), RH Dylan Bundy (2-9, 6.06 in 902/3 IP for Angels), RH Chris Archer (1-1, 4.66 in 6 games, 5 starts, for Rays)
KEY RELIEVERS LH Taylor Rogers (2-4, 3.35 ERA, 9 out of 13 saves, 59 Ks in 401/3 IP), RH Tyler Duffey (3-3, 3.18 in 621/3 IP)
OUTLOOK Correa's unexpected and heralded arrival trigged a significant shift in outlook for a team that was one of baseball's biggest disappointments in 2021 on the way to Minnesota's first last-place finish in five years. Not only is Correa an elite shortstop in his prime who can solidify the up-the-middle defense and the heart of the batting order, but he has played in 79 postseason games over seven years in the majors, including three World Series. Even after trading away Donaldson and Garver and letting Cruz leave as a free agent, integrating Correa and Sanchez into an already powerful lineup ought to ensure the Twins will be again among the league leaders in offense. The rotation remains the biggest question mark. With Kenta Maeda likely to miss the entire season recovering from elbow surgery, Ryan and Ober will be asked to make further strides after promising debuts in 2021. Gray's acquisition was a big help, but Bundy is a reclamation project and Archer, a two-time All-Star, has logged fewer than 20 innings over the last two years due to injuries. Rogers also must bounce back from a sprained middle finger and re-establish himself as a reliable closer.