2019 AL Central Preview

February 18, 2019

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox traded for Alex Colome and signed Kelvin Herrera in the offseason to bolster their bullpen.  They also bring back Nate Jones and Jace Fry.  Colome is the likely closer, especially with Herrera battling a foot injury.  Fry will be the primary lefty out of the bullpen and veteran Nate Jones could start the year as the set-up man if Herrera isn’t fully healthy.

Starting 2019 hierarchy: Colome | Jones | Herrera.
Holds candidates: Jones, Herrera, Jace Fry.

Cleveland Indians – The Indians lost long time closer Cody Allen and versatile reliever Andrew Miller, but they prepared for this by acquiring Brad Hand and Adam Cimber last season.  Hand will be the Indians’ closer, while Cimber should serve as the primary set-up man.  Behind them, veterans Neil Ramirez and Oliver Perez return, but Jon Edwards is a guy to watch.  He impressed manager Terry Francona during his September call-up and is a sleeper in this year’s bullpen.

Starting 2019 hierarchy: Hand | Cimber | Edwards.
Holds candidates: Cimber, Edwards, Oliver Perez.

Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene will return this season and manager Ron Gardenhire has already said that Greene will be the closer.  Greene was serviceable last year but he finished the year with an ERA over 5.00.  Joe Jimenez had a good season last year and is younger and has more upside than Greene.  Jimenez will start the year as the set-up man but if Greene falters at all early in the season, Jimenez could take over.  

Starting 2019 hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
Holds candidates: Jimenez, Farmer.

Kansas City Royals – Manager Ned Yost has not named a closer, but instead has said that he will “think more in terms of high-leverage situation.”  Unfortunately for fantasy owners, that likely means a closer-by-committee, at least to start the season.  The Royals signed Brad Boxberger, who recorded 32 saves for the Diamondbacks last season, and also still have Wily Peralta, who went 14-for-14 in save chances last season.  Lefty Tim Hill could see time in the later innings, and it’s a possibility that the Royals try to find their next Wade Davis by converting a starter such as Ian Kennedy, Jorge Lopez or Heath Fillmyer. We’ll put Boxberger at the top of the committee for now and continue to monitor the situation to see if anyone emerges as the clear closer.

Starting 2019 hierarchy: *Boxberger | Peralta | Hill.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Peralta, Hill, Kevin McCarthy.

Minnesota Twins — There are a lot of question marks in the Twins’ bullpen.  They bring back all three members of their closer committee that finished last season: Trevor Hildenberger, Taylor Rogers, and Trevor May.  They also still have former closer Addison Reed and recently went out and signed Blake Parker.  To complicate things even more, they just announced that hard-throwing righty Fernando Romero will be used as a reliever.  Oh, and the Twins are also a possibility for Craig Kimbrel. Trevor May recorded the last three saves of the season for the Twins last year and we think the towering right-hander could get a shot to continue that in 2019, but until roles become more clear, this looks like a committee again.

Starting 2019 hierarchy: *May | Parker | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Parker, Hildenberger, Taylor Rogers.