#2020 MLB predictions: Twins bulked up for AL Central repeat

1. Minnesota Twins

O/U wins: 35

Key player: Homer Bailey. The Twins started Randy Dobnak in Game 2 of the Division Series against the Yankees last year. This offseason they retained Michael Pineda (who will miss the beginning of the season while serving a PED-related suspension), traded for Kenta Maeda and signed Bailey and Rich Hill to join Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi, a duo that was 29-15 with a 3.61 ERA last year. Bailey has quality stuff and in his final 11 starts for the A’s last year had a 3.31 ERA. If he pitches like that there is a chance the Twins’ rotation is a strength.

Player who’ll need to step up: Byron Buxton. Can he stay healthy? He hurt himself again in spring 2.0 (left mid-foot sprain). When healthy, Buxton’s defense in center and speed change games. And there is offensive potential to do more.

Name you’ll get to know: Royce Lewis. The first pick in the 2017 draft is ready, but the Twins have a stacked lineup. He has been adding positions beyond shortstop and could become a jack-of-all-trades piece as the season progresses.

Biggest question mark: Was there anything flukey about last year? Integral players such as Odorizzi, Tyler Duffey, Mitch Garver and Max Kepler had by far their best years and Luis Arraez went from unheralded to a key rookie addition. Do these players replicate their performances?

How it’ll go down: The team that set the major league homer record signed Josh Donaldson, whose defense at third base (moving Miguel Sano to first) may prove as valuable as his bat. The 2020 Twins are deeper than 2019 and now have the division-title experience of last year. They are clearly the team to beat in the AL Central.

2. Cleveland Indians

O/U wins: 33 ¹/₂

Key player: Francisco Lindor. The clock ticks on how long Lindor is with Cleveland. History suggests that Cleveland’s front office is too proactive to just play it out and not get any return for its best players and, in this case, one of the best in the world. Lindor is not a free agent until after next season. So no trade has to be made imminently. But the clock is ticking.

Player who’ll need to step up: Oscar Mercado. He had a 15-homer/15-steal rookie season with strong defense in center field. Can he build on that?

Name you’ll get to know: Yu Chang. He will get a chance to be used around the infield. Will he prove enough to be Lindor’s heir at shortstop?

Biggest question mark: Which way are they going? Cleveland’s .564 winning percentage is the second best over the past seven years, coinciding with Terry Francona’s managerial tenure. And 20 games against the Royals and Tigers could inflate a record this year. But this front office is always thinking big picture, so does it decide better to focus on long term than short season and try to trade Lindor, Brad Hand and Carlos Santana?

How it’ll go down: Minnesota has more talent, but the shutdown allowed a return from injury for Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger, who join Shane Bieber to form a legit top three atop the rotation. Cleveland has enough pitching talent to challenge.

3. Chicago White Sox

O/U wins: 32

Key player: Dallas Keuchel. Michael Kopech’s decision not to play this year was huge for this team, because even after missing last season following Tommy John surgery, the righty’s stuff was so fierce he lined up as a potential wild card to elevate the White Sox. Chicago is going to have to hope last year was the beginning of Lucas Giolito pitching like an ace and that a three-year, $55.5 million investment in Keuchel provides a reliable No. 2 starter.

Player who’ll need to step up: Nomar Mazara. There is a lot of potential in this Chicago lineup, but not a ton of lefty diversity. Mazara, acquired from the Rangers in the offseason, had an encouraging rookie debut in 2016, but failed to blossom much in the next three years. The right fielder is still just 25.

Name you’ll get to know: Luis Robert. At three levels, he had 32 homers and 36 steals last season, and the White Sox signed him to a six-year, $50 million deal before he had played a major league game. He is going to play center field and likely hit second between Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu.

Biggest question mark: Will the talent jell? There are youngsters with high ceilings such as Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Nick Madrigal, and veteran imports such as Keuchel, Edwin Encarnacion and Yasmani Grandal. The White Sox tried this a few years back by adding Melky Cabrera, David Robertson and Jeff Samardzija after the 2014 season and it did not stop a trajectory, which is now seven straight losing seasons.

How it’ll go down: They are, if nothing else, now fascinating. Does that translate into a first winning season since A.J. Pierzynski led them in homers in 2012?

4. Kansas City Royals

O/U wins: 25

Key player: Adalberto Mondesi. He had a strong half season in 2018, then took a step backward last year. Bobby Witt Jr., the first pick in 2019, looms as the shortstop of the future. But Mondesi doesn’t turn 25 until later this month. Is he part of the long-term Kansas City core?

Player who’ll need to step up: Maikel Franco. Kansas City took a low-pay ($2.95 million if there had been a full season)/low-risk look at a player who not long ago was considered part of the Phillies’ cornerstone. He is still just 27 and cannot be a free agent until after next year, so the third baseman could play himself onto the 2021 Royals, become a trade chip or fizzle out.

Name you’ll get to know: Brady Singer. The Royals believe that they have high-ceiling starting pitching nearing the majors and the righty Singer could be the first to arrive this summer.

Biggest question mark: Are players such as Hunter Dozier, Whit Merrifield and Jorge Soler parts of the next good Royals team or trade chips along the way?

How it’ll go down: The Royals engendered good feelings among players and fans by continuing to pay their minor leaguers for this season. Perhaps that will serve them well down the road.

5. Detroit Tigers

O/U wins: 21 ¹/₂

Key player: Miguel Cabrera. He has not had a healthy/impact combination season since 2016. He is still owed three years at $94 million beyond 2020. There is not much to look at in the Tiger daily lineup. His ability to reach into the past at least could provide some joy.

Player who’ll need to step up: Michael Fulmer. The righty never recaptured his Rookie of the Year magic from 2016 and missed all of 2019 following Tommy John surgery. He is back in the rotation. At a time when the Tigers have pitching coming, is he part of the future or someone they need to regain value so he can be traded?

Name you’ll get to know: Casey Mize. If you want to believe in the Tigers’ near future, it begins with the No. 1-overall pick from 2018 plus Matt Manning arriving this season and flashing top-of-the-rotation potential.

Biggest question mark: Is Matt Boyd a trade chip or part of the Tigers’ future rotation? So far Detroit has not heard an offer it has liked for its current ace. Could that change if an expected contender gets desperate over the next two months?

How it’ll go down: They will run out Jordan Zimmermann’s ill-fated contract and hope that the young pitching begins to form a contending rotation.