AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

By BEN BOLCH

April 1, 2004 12 AM PT

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Key additions: OF Juan Gonzalez and Matt Stairs, C Benito Santiago, P Scott Sullivan.

Key losses: OF Raul Ibanez, Michael Tucker and Rondell White, C Brent Mayne, P Jose Lima.

Strengths: Gonzalez should fill the power void created by the departure of Ibanez and provide ample protection in the batting order for Carlos Beltran and Mike Sweeney. The Royals beefed up their bullpen with the addition of Sullivan and are counting on another strong effort from closer Mike MacDougal, who last season converted 27 of 35 save opportunities.

Weaknesses: The Royals needed 15 starters to get through last season because of injuries and appear vulnerable behind top-of-the-rotation pitchers Darrell May and Brian Anderson, dependable guys who could combine for 400 innings. Kevin Appier will be paid $11.7 million by the Angels this season to pitch for the Royals, who can only hope that his troublesome elbow holds up.

Outlook: The race for the division title will be tight, with Kansas City building on its 21-game improvement of 2003 to emerge the winner. Beltran will continue to solidify his standing as one of baseball’s top talents, while Manager Tony Pena’s attention to detail provides an edge.

At Angel Stadium: Aug. 23-25.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Angel Berroa

CF Carlos Beltran

DH Mike Sweeney

RF Juan Gonzalez

3B Joe Randa

LF Aaron Guiel

1B Ken Harvey

C Benito Santiago

2B Desi Relaford

STARTING PITCHERS

Brian Anderson

Darrell May

Jeremy Affeldt

Jimmy Gobble

Kevin Appier

BULLPEN

Mike MacDougal

Jason Grimsley

Curtis Leskanic

D.J. Carrasco

Scott Sullivan

2. MINNESOTA TWINS

Key additions: P Rick Helling, Joe Nathan and Carlos Silva.

Key losses: P Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Eric Milton, Kenny Rogers and Rick Reed, C A.J. Pierzynski.

Strengths: Despite heavy turnover in the pitching ranks, the Twins retain the core of a lineup that produced back-to-back division champions. First baseman Doug Mientkewicz and center fielder Torii Hunter are strong defenders who also anchor the offense. Third baseman Corey Koskie, coming off two injury-plagued seasons, is expected to regain his 25-homer, 100-RBI form.

Weaknesses: The back end of a revamped rotation is a big question mark. Rookie catcher Joe Mauer may be overmatched for a while after making the jump from double A. Don’t expect Nathan and J.C. Romero to match the late-inning effectiveness of last season’s setup-closer combo, Hawkins and Guardado.

Outlook: The Twins have the offensive firepower to win a third consecutive division title but could be undermined by a new-look bullpen. Starters Brad Radke and Kyle Lohse must rebound for the Twins to edge the improving Royals.

At Angel Stadium: Aug. 27-29.

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Shannon Stewart

2B Luis Rivas

1B Doug Mientkiewicz

3B Corey Koskie

CF Torii Hunter

RF Jacque Jones

DH Matthew LeCroy

C Joe Mauer

SS Cristian Guzman

STARTING PITCHERS

Brad Radke

Johan Santana

Kyle Lohse

Carlos Silva

Brad Thomas

BULLPEN

Joe Nathan

J.C. Romero

Juan Rincon

Aaron Fultz

Grant Balfour

3. CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Key additions: P Shingo Takatsu and Cliff Politte, INF Juan Uribe.

Key losses: P Bartolo Colon, Scott Sullivan and Tom Gordon, 2B Roberto Alomar, CF Carl Everett.

Strengths: Frank Thomas, coming off his best season since 2000, moves to the cleanup spot and Magglio Ordonez moves up to No. 3 in a potent lineup. Starters Esteban Loaiza and Mark Buehrle, who combined for 35 victories in 2003, probably will get more run support than they need.

Weaknesses: The loss of Colon from the rotation and the addition of Scott Schoeneweis, who never quite found his rhythm as a starter with the Angels, does not bode well. Willie Harris as the leadoff man and Aaron Rowand as the everyday center fielder are big-time gambles. Paul Konerko, hitting .197 midway through last season, still must prove that he is capable of putting together two solid halves of a season.

Outlook: With a lot of holes to fill, the White Sox could be waving white flags by the All-Star break. Things could get ugly if Billy Koch, who had only 11 saves last season, struggles again and loses his role to Japanese save leader Takatsu or Damaso Marte.

At Angel Stadium: Sept. 10-12.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Willie Harris

SS Jose Valentin

RF Magglio Ordonez

DH Frank Thomas

LF Carlos Lee

1B Paul Konerko

3B Joe Crede

CF Aaron Rowand

C Miguel Olivo

STARTING PITCHERS

Mark Buehrle

Esteban Loaiza

Jon Garland

Scott Schoeneweis

Dan Wright

BULLPEN

Billy Koch

Damaso Marte

Shingo Takatsu

Kelly Wunsch

Cliff Politte

4. CLEVELAND INDIANS

Key additions: 2B Ronnie Belliard, P Jeriome Robertson, Jose Jimenez and Scott Stewart.

Key losses: P Danys Baez, DH Ellis Burks.

Strengths: The Indians are loaded with prospects, most of whom have yet to display their worth in the major leagues. One who panned out last season, right fielder Jody Gerut, is expected to form the heart of a potentially solid batting order along with Milton Bradley and Travis Hafner. Ace C.C. Sabathia has 20-win potential, and Jason Davis should build on a promising rookie season.

Weaknesses: Scoring may continue to be a problem for a team that last season finished ahead of only lowly Detroit in the AL in offensive production. David Riske was forced into the closer’s role when veteran Bob Wickman reinjured his right elbow, which is expected to keep him out until the All-Star break.

Outlook: Perhaps in a sign of things to come, the Indians were stuck with Omar Vizquel after the shortstop failed to pass a physical to complete a trade to Seattle for shortstop Carlos Guillen. Things haven’t worked out lately for the rebuilding franchise, and there is little reason to think much of a turnaround is in store for 2004.

At Angel Stadium: June 3-6, July 19-20.

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Matt Lawton

SS Omar Vizquel

RF Jody Gerut

CF Milton Bradley

DH Travis Hafner

C Victor Martinez

3B Casey Blake

1B Ben Broussard

2B Ronnie Belliard

STARTING PITCHERS

C.C. Sabathia

Jason Davis

Cliff Lee

Jeff D’Amico

Jason Stanford

BULLPEN

David Riske

Jose Jimenez

Scott Stewart

Jake Westbrook

Chad Durbin

5. DETROIT TIGERS

Key additions: C Ivan Rodriguez, OF Rondell White, 2B Fernando Vina, SS Carlos Guillen, P Ugueth Urbina, Jason Johnson and Al Levine.

Key losses: INF Shane Halter and Ramon Santiago.

Strengths: The free-agent signings of Rodriguez and Urbina made plenty of noise, but the more subdued off-season acquisitions also are expected to pay dividends. The gap-hitting White is a natural fit for Comerica Park, and the double-play combination of Vina and Guillen is a major upgrade. Johnson takes pressure off 21-game loser Mike Maroth as the new ace.

Weaknesses: Starters Maroth, Nate Cornejo and Jeremy Bonderman combined for 57 losses last season, but it wasn’t entirely their fault. The trio had 30 quality starts in which they received a loss or a no-decision, a testament to the woeful offense.

Outlook: Increased run support is a given for an inexperienced rotation that will benefit from the leadership of Rodriguez behind the plate. But too many everyday players would fill utility roles on other teams. If Bonderman or one of the other starters has a breakthrough season and the lineup jells, the Tigers could avert a 100-loss season.

At Angel Stadium: May 3-5, Aug. 13-15.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Alex Sanchez

2B Fernando Vina

C Ivan Rodriguez

DH Dmitri Young

LF Rondell White

RF Bobby Higginson

3B Eric Munson

1B Carlos Pena

SS Carlos Guillen

STARTING PITCHERS