The American League currently holds the World Series title after the Kansas City Royals won over the New York Mets last season. Can the AL hold on to the championship trophy in 2016?
There are a number of strong teams in the league this season, and the division races should be very intriguing across the AL. The Royals should be contenders again, but they will have competition in the American League Central from the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.
The American League East could see the resurgence of the Boston Red Sox after a very bad 2015 season, while the Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to win back-to-back titles. The Texas Rangers made a surprising run to the American League West title last season, but this year the Mariners, Angels, Athletics and Astros all feel that they can knock them off.
Here are some predictions for the division races, Cy Young and MVP award:
American League East, Winner: Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have gone from worst to first before, and they could do it again this year. The team made some significant additions in the offseason, including brining in David Price and Craig Kimbrel. The development of Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts should put the Red Sox in position to win the division. The Yankees added Aroldis Chapman and Starlin Castro to the roster and that should put them in the mix, while the Blue Jays should contend for a second straight division title. The Orioles kept Chris Davis and added Mark Trumbo to keep up, but they may not be able to beat out the Red Sox.
American League Central, Winner: Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are coming back after winning the World Series and they have the chance to be the best team in the American League again. The core of Salvador Perez, Wade Davis, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer gives the team a chance for a second straight title. The Detroit Tigers should be improved after adding Jordan Zimmerman to the mix, but they will need Justin Verlander to return to form to have a chance to contend. The Minnesota Twins showed some positive signs last season of moving in the right direction, while the White Sox and Indians both expect to improve this year. The Central is still is the Royals' to lose.
American League West, Winner: Seattle Mariners
The Texas Rangers won the division last season, but this year the Seattle Mariners could end up taking the crown for the first time in over a decade. The Mariners made a number of moves in the offseason to add depth to the roster, including by bringing in Leonys Martin, Adam Lind, Nori Aoki, Nate Karns, Wade Miley, Chris Iannetta, Steve Clevenger and Joaquin Benoit. Those moves should be enough to support a core that includes Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz. The Angels have Mike Trout, but their pitching is going to be a major question mark. The Houston Astros made the playoffs as a wild card last year and should be contenders again, but they won't sneak up on anyone this time. The Rangers have the talent to make a run along with the Athletics, but the Mariners may surprise people this season.
American League MVP, Winner: Mike Trout, Angels
Trout has an MVP award already in his career, and he only continues to get better and better each season. Josh Donaldson beat out Trout last year, but this season the Angels outfielder should return to first place in the award voting. Trout is coming in after hitting a career-best 41 home runs and a .590 slugging percentage. Trout was just below a .300 batting average last season and he will be motivated to have a big year, as the 24-year-old has yet to win a playoff game in his years with the Angels.
Honorable mentions:
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
American League Cy Young, Winner: Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
This is a pick I wasn't expecting to make coming into this column, but thinking about it, I feel very confident in Archer. He may not end up winning this award, but the 27-year-old starter should end up in the top five of the voting. Archer continues to improve each season and he comes in after posting a career-best 12 wins, 252 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched over 34 last year. Archer posted a 3.23 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 2015 (just off his high of 3.22 and 1.13 in 23 starts in 2013) and he could be primed for a big step this season. Even if the Rays don't contend, expect Archer to be in the mix for the award.
Honorable mentions:
Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
David Price, Boston Red Sox
Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
