The Untouchables: AL Central

Like Chris, I don’t remember much about The Untouchables, at least the series, except that I think the main characters name was Elliot Ness (no relation to Mike).  I do recall a sub-par movie starring Kevin Costner based on the TV show (a sub-par movie starring Kevin Costner, go figure, but I digress).  Anyway, the AL Central is an interesting division.  On paper they should have been very competitive but slow starts stagnated that.  It wasn’t until about a month ago that the buyers separated themselves from the sellers.

Cleveland Indians – I spoke often of the Indians and how baffling I found it that they have been playing as good as they have.  I compared their roster to the movie Major League, considering it was full of no-names and cast-offs.  Yet the Tribe is still finding ways to win and indeed they do have untouchables.

*Asdrubal Cabrera – At 25, Cabrera is finally coming into his own as the best shortstop in the American League.  If the fans got it right (which normally doesn’t happen), he’d be starting at shortstop or the American League at Tuesday’s All-Star Game (sorry Derek Jeter).  Cabrera leads the Indians in average, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI’s, and stolen bases.  The fact that he’s carried the Tribe’s offense and is playing gold glove defense makes him an untouchable for me.

*Justin Masterson – The centerpiece of last year’s deal that sent Victor Martinez to the Red Sox is a flat-out stud.  His 6-6 record doesn’t do him much justice, considering he has a 2.85 ERA.  While other young starters like Josh Timlin and Carlos Carrasco might have better records for the Tribe, it will be Masterson who leads this young rotation in the future.

Detroit Tigers – Detroit started the season slow but has turned it up recently, and is now challenging the Indians for the top spot in the AL Central.  Their roster is very deep, so it’s not easy to pick two because just at a glance, there are at least six I wouldn’t part with, but there are two that are the cream of the crop.

*Justin Verlander – In my opinion, Verlander is the best pitcher in the American League.  I know Yankees fans will make their case for CC Sabathia, but Verlander is younger and is in much better physical condition.  I’m willing to go as far as saying that if I had to start a team from scratch, Verlander would be my centerpiece.  No disrespect to Roy Halladay (and I love Doc), but given Verlander’s age, he gets the nod.  Tuesday night was the first time Verlander took  a loss in his last 14 starts, and he leads Major League Baseball in quality starts.  Need I say more?

*Miguel Cabrera – It seems like Cabrera has been in the league forever.  Even though he made his debut in 2003, Cabrera is only 28.  Given the history of most players, he still has better years ahead of him.  Considering you’re guaranteed a batting average over .320, at least 35 home runs and 120 RBI’s,  this is a guy you don’t want to part with.

Chicago White Sox – Although the White Sox are still under .500 this season, they are only 3.5 games behind the Indians in the division and most definitely will be buyers.  GM Kenny Williams always pulls a rabbit out of his hat.  Even though they are in contention, I find it hard to actually find any true untouchables on this team.

*Paul Konerko – Konerko would be the obvious choice for the career season he is having.  He leads the White Sox in average, home runs, and RBI’s, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.   The downfall on Konerko is he’s 35, and unless you have the charisma like a Derek Jeter it’s hardtop justify making a 35-year-old untouchable.

*Philip Humber – This one might be a bit of a wild card, but hear me out on this.  He was once a top-pitching prospect for the Mets and one of the centerpieces in the Johan Santana deal.  He was never really given an opportunity in Minnesota (14 relief appearances in two seasons), and never given a shot in Kansas City.  This season with the White Sox is his first real season in the big leagues and he leads the ChiSox in wins, ERA, and has a WHIP under 1.00.  This could only be the tip of the iceberg for Humber.

Minnesota Twins – The Twins are an interesting team, once a perennial playoff team with stars like Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer who are now almost an afterthought.  They do have some nice names like Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano, but I think the best thing the Twins could do is rebuild.  One can make an argument for Mauer, but that was four years ago, and since then he can’t stay healthy. 

Kansas City Royals – Speaking of rebuilding, it seems like the Royals are in a constant rebuilding phase.  A young team that never produces and once they begin to, they get traded.  There’s really no one to identify as an untouchable because the team doesn’t have an identity.  Guys like Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, and Mike Moustakas all have a high ceiling, but until someone actually does something it’s really hard to find a true untouchable.

So AL Central fans, do you agree?  Disagree?  Let me know.  Drop me a line at shatmeself@yahoo.com, and we can discuss it further.