HOT STOVE REPORT CARD: AL CENTRAL

*Updated 2/21/10 with Johnny Damon to the Tigers and Russell Branyon to the Indians.

Part three in the Report Card series features the AL Central, where the top three teams will still fight for the division, while the last two may switch places.

**Please note unsigned players do not yet count as a loss.

MINNESOTA TWINS
Major Signings: Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome, Clay Condrey, Carl Pavano
Major Trade Acquisitions: J.J. Hardy
Major Losses: Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Gomez, Mike Redmond, Boof Bonser
Report: The always solid Twins made pretty good moves. They traded for J.J. Hardy and signed Orlando Hudson to create a more potent combo up the middle on offense and defense. Jim Thome gives them a strong bat off the bench that could DH regularly if they play Kubel and Cuddyer in the outfield corners and bench Delmon Young. They are also returning Carl Pavano who pitched well for them as he accepted arbitration from them.
Overall: They didn't lose much and gained more, so this team should be right back where they were at or close to the top of the division.
Grade: B+

DETROIT TIGERS
Major Signings: Jose Valverde, Adam Everett, Johnny Damon
Major Trade Acquisitions: Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Daniel Schlereth
Major Losses: Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, Placido Polanco, Fernando Rodney, Jarrod Washburn, Brandon Lyon, Marcus Thames, Aubrey Huff
Report: Some crazy moves for the Tigers this off-season, including a late signing of Johnny Damon! First off, though, they traded their stud center fielder Curtis Granderson and #2 starter Edwin Jackson in a mega three team deal with the Yankees and D'Backs. Not that their returns were bad, Max Scherzer has more upside than Edwin Jackson, Austin Jackson is like a younger Granderson without the power, and Schlereth and Coke will help their bullpen in front of new closer Jose Valverde. Grabbing Damon really helps their offense, although his power numbers will decrease in Commerica Park.
Overall: While many say they didn't like them giving up Granderson, I think AJAX is going make everyone shut up sooner than later. And they got younger in a few spots, saved a tad bit of money (even though they seem to be reinvesting it), got a more trustworthy closer, and added Damon. To me, that's pretty decent.
Grade: A-

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Major Signings: Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, J.J. Putz, Freddie Garcia, Ramon Castro
Major Trade Acquisitions: Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen
Major Losses: Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Octavio Dotel, Scott Posednik,
Report: The South-Siders imported lots of spare parts that may or may not work out. Juan Pierre replaces Scott Posednik, and after Pierre's part-time showing last year, more of that could be beneficial to the Sox. Mark Teahen has a chance to prove himself at his best position (3rd), and Omar Vizquel was brought in to more than be his understudy. Andruw Jones will be a DH candidate unless Johnny Damon comes to camp. J.J. Putz will set-up for Bobby Jenks, and offer a bit of net should Jenks continue to regress.
Overall: No huge moves here, but complementary ones to go with the pieces that are there right now. Pierre and Teahen could really have the opportunity to make this team better. Is it a successful offseason? Quietly, I'd say yes, but again none of these moves bowl you over.
Grade: B-

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Major Signings: Mike Redmond, Mark Grudzielanek, Shelley Duncan, Austin Kearns, Russell Branyon
Major Trade Acquisitions: None
Major Losses: Kelly Shoppach, Jamey Carroll
Report: Hmm, well then there's the Indians, a team going severely backwards as they've shed most of their stars in the last couple of years, instead going with whatever good youth they have. Unfortunately, some of that youth is questionable, and they didn't do anything this off-season to help themselves. Heck Mike Redmond is the only guy listed as a major league signing, I put the other guys in because I felt bad! They brought back Russell Branyon to play first again, and Jake Westbrook is finally coming back to lead their staff, but this may be the year that KC overtakes them.
Overall: A bad offseason will lead to a bad season. Anything else will be a surprise.
Grade: D

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Major Signings: Jason Kendall, Scott Posednik, Rick Ankiel, Brian Anderson
Major Trade Acquisitions: Chris Getz, Josh Fields
Major Losses: Mark Teahen, John Buck, Mike Jacobs, Miguel Olivo, Coco Crisp
Report: They've basically signed a whole new outfield, but they still have most of their old one! Huh?! I'm not a 100% sure I understand how GM Dayton Moore operates. Not that the signings are necessarily bad, but OK, they also traded Mark Teahen for Josh Fields and Chris Getz, which clogs up their infield as well. I guess Moore is just trying to give Trey Hillman as many options as possible, but more players (like Alex Gordon and Alberto Callapso) need to start establishing themselves on this team. And with all the catchers out there this year, including their own, they signed Jason Kendall...to two years!
Overall: The only thing I can say is that Moore was trying to improve their defense. In that way, good job, but I think these signings were unnecessary overkills.
Grade: C-