With three months to go before the season begins, the American League Central seems to be once again wide open. Just six games separated three teams last year, and none has made a move to separate themselves
yet this year. With several free agents still unsigned, there are still opportunities for Central teams to make a big move, possibly without having to break the bank. But all five teams have been cost-conscious, will any make a splash?
Chicago White Sox
2025 record: 60-102
2025 pythag: 71-91
Additions: Anthony Kay, Munetaka Murakami, Sean Newcomb
Subtractions: Tyler Alexander, Martin Perez, Mike Tauchman, Michael A. Taylor
The White Sox are obviously not the favorites, but they seem to be an improving club that won’t be a total pushover next year. Murakami may prove to be a steal, stabilizing a lineup that has some interesting young hitters like Kyle Teel, Colson Montgomery, and Edgar Quero, with Braden Montgomery nearly MLB-ready. Shane Smith, Sean Burke, and Davis Martin are a good core of a young rotation and the bullpen was surprisingly decent last year. The White Sox could actually think about contending for the division if they signed a couple of big free agents, but Jerry Reinsdorf still owns the club, for now.
Cleveland Guardians
2025 record: 88-74
2025 pythag: 80-82
Additions: Shawn Armstrong, Stuart Fairchild
Subtractions: Will Brennan, Nic Enright, Sam Hentges, Jakob Junis, Jhonkensy Noel
The Guardians typically sit on their hands all offseason, and this year is no exception. They won the division with 88 wins last year, and went to the ALCS the year before that, but seem content to rely on their pipeline of talent in the organization. Outfielder Steven Kwan has been the subject of trade rumors, and the team should probably not expect pitchers Luis Ortiz or Emmanuel Clase to return following a gambling scandal. The Guardians were under .500 in late July before making a run to take the division, so don’t count them out. But they loaded up against the White Sox last year, going 11-2 against them, and their run differential suggests they are likely to regress in 2026, especially if they don’t improve their struggling offense.
Detroit Tigers
2025 record: 87-75
2025 pythag: 88-74
Additions: Kenley Jansen
Subtractions: Alex Cobb, Andy Ibáñez, Tommy Kahnle, Alex Lange
The Tigers had a second-half swoon, going 37-44 over their last 81 games, but they retain the core of a team that has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The retained free agent Gleyber Torres, although he hit just .223/.320/.339 after his All-Star appearance. The Tigers seem poised for a big addition, and they still could make one with rumors that they have interest in Alex Bregman. There are also rumors that they may trade ace pitcher Tarik Skubal, who has one more year left before free agency. Can they trade him away while still adding to the club? The rotation is already thin as it is, and the bullpen took a step backwards last year. Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Spencer Torkelson provide a nice core for the lineup, and top outfield prospect Max Clark could join the lineup sometime next season.
Kansas City Royals
2025 record: 82-80
2025 pythag: 83-79
Additions: Mason Black, Isaac Collins, Alex Lange, Nick Mears, Kameron Misner, Matt Strahm, Lane Thomas
Subtractions: Jonathan Bowlan, Taylor Clarke, Adam Frazier, Randall Grichuk, Hunter Harvey, Michael Lorenzen, MJ Melendez, Angel Zerpa, Mike Yastrzemski
The Royals had a clear need to upgrade the outfield this offseason, and they’ve tinkered at the edges without having to give up much. Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas aren’t a sure thing, but they seem to be an upgrade over MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe, who began last season in the outfield corners for the Royals. The bullpen also got an upgrade with Mears and Strahm replacing Bowlan and Zerpa. And they still retain their starting pitching depth, which received a boost with the midseason acquisitions of Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek last year. There may still be one more move left for the Royals to make to put them over the top, with rumors they have interest in Boston’s Jarren Duran and St. Louis’s Brendan Donovan.
Minnesota Twins
2025 record: 70-92
2025 pythag: 71-91
Additions: Josh Bell, Eric Orze
Subtractions: Christian Vázquez
The Twins seemed to be in fire sale mode last summer as ownership prepared for a sale. But those sale plans were reversed, and the team has been dormant this offseason. The Twins went into freefall to end last year, but there is still a fair amount of talent on the roster. If Byron Buxton can stay healthy, he will anchor the lineup. Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, and Trevor Larnach are all former first-round picks that haven’t quite lived up to expectations yet. The Twins will be counting on Luke Keaschall making an impact in his first full season, and outfield prospect Walker Jenkins could be in the lineup very soon. The Twins could look to trade Joe Ryan, but Pablo López is still fantastic when healthy, and they have some decent rotation depth, especially if Mick Abel lives up to his prospect status.
