Who could threaten the Tigers? Breaking down the American League Central

Detroit ― With the Tigers opening a four-game series against the Twins in Minneapolis on Monday, The Detroit News' Tony Paul previews the American League Central in 2026 (in predicted order of finish): Detroit Tigers ➤ 2025: 87-75, second place in AL Central; d. CLE, 2-1, in WC; lost to SEA, 3-2, in ALDS ➤ Manager: AJ Hinch, seventh season, 394-416 (964-868 overall) ➤ Notable losses: IF Andy Ibanez, RP Tommy Kahnle, RP Alex Lange ➤ Notable additions: P Drew Anderson, RP Enmanuel De Jesus, RP Kenley Jansen, RP Connor Seabold, SP Framber Valdez, SP Justin Verlander ➤ Outlook: Tigers president Scott Harris can shy away from the "all-in" talk, but the fact is, the Tigers almost certainly have just one year left with ace (and two-time Cy Young winner) Tarik Skubal and they spent really big around him this winter (Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Kenley Jansen, etc. ), with a franchise-record payroll pushing $400 million.

The World Series title drought is 42 years. Will the clock finally reset come October? ➤ Team payroll: $236 million ➤ Last AL Central title: 2014 ➤ DraftKings preseason odds (division, AL, World Series): +110/+900/+2200 Kansas City Royals ➤ 2025: 82-80, third place in AL Central ➤ Manager: Matt Quatraro, fourth season, 224-262 ➤ Notable losses: RP Jonathan Bowlan, UT Adam Frazier, SP Mike Lorenzen, RP Nick Mears, OF Mike Yastrzemski ➤ Notable additions: OF Isaac Collins, RP Alex Lange, OF/DH Starling Marte, OF Lane Thomas ➤ Outlook: Two key questions if the Royals are to challenge the Tigers for the division title: Can ace Cole Ragans stay healthy in 2026 (he couldn't in 2025), and will Carter Jensen, a third-round pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, challenge for American League rookie of the year (the Tigers' Kevin McGonigle is the favorite)?

If those two things come to fruition, Kansas City could be Detroit's biggest threat. ➤ Team payroll: $182 million ➤ Last AL Central title: 2015 ➤ DraftKings preseason odds (division, AL, World Series): +225/+1600/+4000 Cleveland Guardians ➤ 2025: 88-74, first place in AL Central; lost to DET, 2-1, in WC ➤ Manager: Stephen Vogt, third season, 180-143 ➤ Notable losses: RP Nic Enright, RP Jakob Junis, OF Jhonkensy Noel, OF Lane Thomas ➤ Notable additions: RP Shawn Armstrong, RP Connor Brogdon, RP Colin Holderman ➤ Outlook: The Guardians have won three of the last four AL Central titles, and six of the last 10, yet it was another pretty lackluster offseason from ownership, at least outside of the Jose Ramirez extension (seven years, $175 million). The bullpen, a strength for so long, might be the biggest concern, with no Emmanuel Clase (gambling investigation), for now no Hunter Gaddis (forearm), and no Junis (signed with the Texas Rangers).

➤ Team payroll: $97 million ➤ Last AL Central title: 2025 ➤ DraftKings preseason odds (division, AL, World Series): +425/+2500/+7000 Chiago White Sox ➤ 2025: 60-102, fifth place in AL Central ➤ Manager: Will Venable, second season, 60-102 ➤ Notable losses: RP Cam Booser, OF Luis Robert Jr. , OF Mike Tauchman, OF Michael A. Taylor ➤ Notable additions: RP Seranthony Dominguez, OF Austin Hays, 1B Munetka Murakami, RP Chris Murphy, RP Sean Newcomb, SP Martin Perez ➤ Outlook: Give credit to GM Chris Getz, the Grosse Pointe South and Michigan alum.