Rating the AL Central

2. Minnesota Twins

Last year: 78-84 – Second Place

Key losses: C Joe Mauer

Key newcomers: 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, DH Nelson Cruz, 1B Lucas Duda

Best-case scenario: Nelson Cruz joins Miguel Sano to provide Minnesota the offensive spark they need, new manager Rocco Baldelli thrives, and the Twins return to the postseason after a two-year hiatus.

Worst-case scenario: Another losing season pushes the Twins to a rebuild period.

3.DetroitTigers

Last year: 64-98 – Third Place

Key losses: LHP Francisco Liriano

Key newcomers: LHP Matt Moore, RHP Tyson Ross, SS Jordy Mercer

Best-case scenario: Newly-acquired arms Matt Moore and Tyson Ross finally pitch to their previous potential as the young talent finds their groove.

Worst-case scenario: Moore and Ross fail to boost a faltering rotation and the Tigers continue to spiral out of contention.

4.ChicagoWhiteSox

Last year: 62-100 – Fourth Place

Key losses: none

Key newcomers: RHP Alex Colome, 1B Yonder Alonso, CF Jon Jay

Best-case scenario: Key pieces of MLB’s third-highest ranked farm system like Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech begin to spark the White Sox back to contention.

Worst-case scenario: The young guys don’t take off as expected, and it’s back to the drawing board for a team who hasn’t reached October in more than a decade.

5.KansasCityRoyals

Last year: 58-104, Fifth Place

Key losses: none

Key newcomers: RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Homer Bailey, 2B Chris Owings, OF Billy Hamilton

Best-case scenario: INF Whit Merrifield follows up 2018 with another solid offensive season, and guys like Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez bounce back from relatively low-production numbers.

Worst-case scenario: Kansas City’s pitching struggles continue (their 4.94 team ERA was the second-highest in baseball last year) and the Royals find themselves back at the bottom of the worst division in baseball.

1. Boston Red Sox

Last year: 108-54 -- First Place – 2018

World Series Champions

Key losses: LHP Drew Pomeranz, INF Ian Kinsler, RHP Joe Kelly

Key newcomers: OF Gorkys Hernandez, RHP Colten Brewer

Best-case scenario: AL MVP Mookie Betts, above, and the reigning champs repeat their explosive offense and lightsout pitching and become the first team in the big leagues to win back-to-back World Series in two decades

Worst-case scenario: It’s almost expected of the Red Sox to contend for another title this season. Failing to make another October run would be nothing short of a disappointment.