GOODYEAR, Ariz. _ The run to Game 7 of the World Series might have just been Act I.
The Indians enter the 2017 season with a clear path to winning their second consecutive division title. According to Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projections, the Indians have the widest margin between the second-place team in their division in all of baseball.
Barring something unforeseen _ and about as bizarre as a starting pitcher slicing his finger on a drone right before one of the biggest games in franchise history _ fans in Cleveland shouldn't be making major plans in October away from Progressive Field.
The Indians should win the American League Central. And if things go south for their rivals up north in Detroit, they could run away with it.
The Tigers did little this offseason to bolster a talented, but aging and expensive roster. In December, the Tigers' front office kicked around the idea of tearing down the roster and selling off its high-priced talent to rebuild one of baseball's weakest farm systems and alleviate some financial pressures due to a soaring, win-now-at-all-costs payroll. But the Tigers didn't find the right deal, so for now, they're chasing a playoff spot and, with Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and company, still stand as the Indians' biggest rival in the division.
The Kansas City Royals slid in 2016 after their World Series title a year before. The Royals are now facing an organizational crossroads as a potential contender but one with nearly half its lineup about to hit free agency. If the Tigers and Royals fall out of contention at the trade deadline, they'll likely make up two of the biggest sellers in the market.
The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, successfully began their franchise rebuild this winter, trading ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox and outfielder Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals for prospect packages that were universally applauded. The White Sox won't contend in 2017 but in one offseason set up a rebuilding effort that appears to be on the right track.
The Minnesota Twins, brimming with young talent, are still deep within their own rebuild and probably at least year or two away from real contention.
Two teams trying to hold for perhaps one more run before possibly having to rebuild as well. None are projected to reach 80 wins by PECOTA, but the Tigers are likely to top that number as a wild-card contender.
