AL Central Notes takes a look throughout the FanSided network for articles on the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.
Yesterday was a unique day to be a fan of the Chicago White Sox. I mean they did sign a 47-year old designated hitter, gave him one at-bat against the San Francisco Giants, and mid-inning traded him after he struck out.
Ok, so this signing was actor/comedian Will Ferrell and it was all for charity on Thursday, but it still happened and was fun to watch. I mean he did land in a helicopter named “Penguin Air,” in the middle of the outfield, so it was entertaining to say the least.
Bill Veeck would have been proud. Job well done Mr. Ferrell.
Now for the rest of the AL Central, let’s see how everything is going with the rivals of the White Sox:
• Puckett’s Pond (Minnesota Twins)
Minnesota Twins’ Josmil Pinto Needs To Be Backup Catcher And Catcher Of The Future: By Collin Kottle
"“If Pinto can figure out how to catch, he is a starting catcher in Major League Baseball. If he can’t, he’ll be a DH somewhere that probably isn’t Minnesota. Improving his catching brings another potent bat to a potentially deadly Twins lineup in a couple of years.”"
Having a problem of knowing when to make a young catcher “the man” behind the plate for the long run must be a great problem to have. The Twins are lucky to have this type of deal going on … maybe the White Sox can take some notes, or hopefully Tyler Flowers plays to his potential in ’15.
Feb 26, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Gavin Floyd (26) poses during photo day at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
• Wahoo’s on First (Cleveland Indians)
Gavin Floyd Was Still A Risk Worth Taking: By Jeremy Klein
"“Gavin Floyd is injured again. It’s shocking that a guy who’s undergone two major elbow surgeries and made just 14 starts over the past two years is injured during the first couple weeks of spring training, but it’s true.”"
When Floyd was with the White Sox we had a lot of hope for the guy, but like now, injures changed things and both sides had to part ways in his final White Sox season.
Floyd played for the White Sox from 2007-13. In that span he built a 63-65 mark with 4.22 ERA with the White Sox.
Floyd’s best season with the White Sox came in ’08 where he was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA, which also happens to be the last time the White Sox won the AL Central.
Best of luck to Floyd in his recovery.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
• Kings of Kauffman (Kansas City Royals)
Royals Changing Plan for Salvador Perez’s Days Off: By Hunter Samuels
"“Yost insists Perez will still get enough days off, especially in the middle of the season, when the team’s schedule doesn’t include many days without games. While I understand the reasoning, I think there could be something else to the shift in plans. It’s possible that their pitching staff isn’t as comfortable working with Erik Kratz.”"
The Royals have a great starting catcher in Perez, but it is important to them that he gets rest each week to keep him fresh as they can. As a follower of the AL Central, this is something to keep track of during the season. Now I’m also going to keep an eye on Kratz.
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) looks on in the dugout against the Houston Astros at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
• Motor City Bengals (Detroit Tigers)
Detroit Tigers Stock Report: Bruce Rondon rising, Joe Nathan tanking: By Matt Plec
"“Credit Joe Nathan for this accomplishment as he was booed off the mound in Lakeland after a vintage (for 2014) performance in one of the Detroit Tigers two Spring Training games on Thursday.”"
I don’t understand booing during a spring training game, but to each their own (I’ve been known to be grumpy during a spring game here and there as well).
Maybe the Tigers and their fans know the AL Central isn’t a cakewalk for the team anymore, because it should be a very competitive division like it was last season, but at an even higher level. I like this though to a certain degree because it shows the fan base has very high expectations for their team. Maybe it is their version of tough love?
Or Tiger fans could have booed Nathan because it was a “Throwback Thursday” moment for them from when he used to play for the Twins from 2004-11.
Next: Hector Noesi K's 3 on Thursday