Gannett News Service

The Twins' Torii Hunter emerged as one of the league's top center fielders last season. The Associated Press file photo

AL CENTRAL

Predicted finish 1 Minnesota (94-67 last season, first place): Contraction Kids keep winning. 2 Chicago (81-81 last season, second): Pitching ace Bartolo Colon is big help. 3 Cleveland (74-88 last season, third): Young talent is on the way. 4 Kansas City (62-100 last season, fourth): Very young, very inexpensive. 5 Detroit (55-106 last season, fifth): Lean times continue. Why the Twins? No longer a target for contraction, the Twins will try to carry over their success from 2002. There's no reason why they can't. Manager Ron Gardenhire has essentially the same players that won 94 games and upset the A's in the AL playoffs. The key will be keeping everybody healthy. While outfielder Torii Hunter and crew shined last season, the pitching staff, led by Opening-Day starter Brad Radke, suffered several injuries. Fifty-six games against the Tigers, Royals and Indians help Minnesota's bid to stay atop the AL Central. Impact acquisitions SP Bartolo Colon (White Sox), RP Billy Koch (White Sox), SP Kenny Rogers (Twins), RP Rick White (White Sox) Manager on hot seat Jerry Manuel (White Sox)

1. MINNESOTA TWINS

Manager: Ron Gardenhire

2002 playoffs: Beat Oakland in first round, lost to Anaheim in ALCS.

Overview: No roster had less turnover than the Twins in the off-season, and that was by design. Team chemistry and fundamentally sound baseball worked wonders last year -- and the formula should continue to pay off.

Question marks: Unspectacular, but reliable starting pitching (Kenny Rogers, Brad Radke, Rick Reed, Kyle Lohse, Eric Milton and Joe Mays when healthy). ... Can DH Matt LeCroy and/or RF Michael Cuddyer supply a right-handed power boost? ... Can Milton return from knee surgery?

Super stat: Allowed only 50 unearned runs last season.

2. CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Manager: Jerry Manuel

Overview: General manager Ken Williams figures the additions of ace starter Bartolo Colon and bullpen stopper Billy Koch coupled with expected improvement from several young hitters could significantly close the gap on the Minnesota Twins.

Question marks: The starting rotation aside from Colon and Mark Buehrle. ... middle relief. ... How much will promising young hitters 3B Joe Crede, CF Aaron Rowand and C Miguel Olivo contribute? ... Jose Valentin's defense at shortstop. ... Will team's awful base-running in 2002 improve with new coaches at first base and third base?

Super stat: Franchise-record five players hit at least 25 home runs last season (the team totaled 217).

3. CLEVELAND INDIANS

Manager: Eric Wedge

Overview: Free-agent slugger Jim Thome departed after the team's worst season in nine years, but some observers believe Cleveland has the best young talent in baseball and could become a long-term power soon.

Question marks: Bullpen. ... Is veteran RF Karim Garcia (16 home runs and 52 RBI in 51 games with last year's Indians) ready to emerge as an everyday player? ... How much will Thome be missed? ... lack of power in the infield. ... suspect defense at the corners. ... Does Danys Baez have the control to be a stopper? ... Top prospects on verge of some breakthroughs, but when will that be?

Super stat: Used a team-record 59 players in 2002.

4. KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Manager: Tony Pena

Overview: The Royals have 13 straight losing months and eight straight losing seasons with little hope in sight. They had a team-record 100 losses in 2002, and this season could be worse.

Question marks: Starting rotation. ... bullpen. ... lack of power. ... defense. ... SS Angel Berroa.

Super stat: Led American League with 140 stolen bases last season.

5. DETROIT TIGERS

Manager: Alan Trammell

Overview: Last season's Tigers were outscored by 289 runs. Their hitters ranked last in the American League in nine batting categories. Their pitchers had the fewest strikeouts. They allowed a major league-high 91 unearned runs. Legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell picked a perfect time to call it quits for good.

Question marks: Starting rotation after Mark Maroth and Jeremy Bonderman. ... Bullpen aside from future closer Franklyn German (6-foot-7, 275). ... soft spots in the lineup.

Super stat: Was 1-15 on artificial turf in 2002.