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2009 MLB American League Central Notebook
Detroit’s seven-game winning streak has been because of its offense. The Tigers have averaged more than six runs per game and have swept such teams as the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee.
The Tigers also got a welcomed sight when Magglio Ordonez, free from his waving locks of hair, returned to the lineup and homered for the first time in 40 games against the Cubs.
Ordonez is selling his hair on E-bay for charity. He had been sitting because he was not going well. But that prompted a war of words between Ordonez’ agent Scott Boras and Detroit manager Jim Leyland.
Boras suggested the benching was due to the Tigers not wanting to Ordonez to reach certain offensive numbers to attain his vested option. Leyland took exception to that.
KANSAS CITY
Center fielder Coco Crisp’s season is over after he had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder June 24.
Crisp was diagnosed with a torn labrum and went on the disabled list on June 14. Noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery in Birmingham, Ala.
But this year had been a disappointment for Crisp. He was hitting just .228 with 14 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. However, he lost his starting position to Mitch Maier.
CLEVELAND
With the Indians running in also-ran status, it’s time to start looking at their roster for trade candidates.
Every conversation with them starts with third baseman Mark DeRosa. The veteran is leading the Indians with 13 home runs and has 50 RBIs. And he’s hitting a respectable .270. He would add some pop and veteran leadership should he go to another team.
DeRosa went to Cleveland in a four-player trade with the Chicago Cubs. He has double figure home runs in each of the last four seasons.
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CHICAGO
The demotion to Triple A Charlotte appeared to do wonders for veteran right-hander Jose Contreras.
Contreras is 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA in his first three starts since being recalled on June 8. Contreras has thrown quality starts against Detroit, Milwaukee and Cincinnati. He has lowered his ERA from a disastrous 8.19 to 5.23. But his command has been even better with three walks in those 20 innings.
You have to credit manager Ozzie Guillen for challenging Contreras’ competitiveness by sending him down to the minor leagues.
MINNESOTA
The Twins have been playing the role of being the ultimate .500 team. Since May 18, the team was 18-18 and is 19-19 since then to get to 37-37 before a weekend series in St. Louis.
Minnesota has been above .500 only once since it was 18-17 on May 17.
The ironic part is that in six other attempts to get over .500, the Twins couldn’t do it. But after winning two out of three against Milwaukee, the Twins won five of their six against their border rival.
By the way, a recent 0-9 stretch dropped catcher Joe Mauer’s average below .400 for the first time this season. He was .395 before the series against the Cardinals.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
> View all of the 2008 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans
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