Future of AL Central promising for Indians

Credit: Tony Dejak

Credit: Tony Dejak

Cleveland hasn’t dominated the AL Central as it was expected to in 2017, but the outlook of the division is encouraging.

The Detroit Tigers, a formidable foe for the last decade, might finally wave the white flag. Justin Verlander is becoming a more serious trade candidate, according to Jeff Passan at Yahoo.com, and the team could finally commence a rebuild.

Verlander hasn’t asked out, per Passan, but he and other veterans could be shopped. If the Tigers enter a youth movement, it further clouds the Central’s future.

The Kansas City Royals are close to a retool, with Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and others ticketed for free agency. The White Sox just began a teardown, and still need to move ace Jose Quintana.

Minnesota has been the surprise of the season, and even if they’re overachieving, may present the biggest challenge to Cleveland in the coming seasons. Even then, the Indians are in good shape to stay around the top of the Central for the foreseeable future.

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