Welcome to the early 2025 prediction series! This is not for the division winners, but just a bold prediction for every team in each division for the 2025 season. There is still more time in the winter, but for now let’s take a swan dive into these predictions. Now we take a look into the AL Central!

Cleveland Guardians

Prediction: Jose Ramirez Finishes As an MVP Finalist

Jose Ramirez is arguably the best third baseman in the league and for good reason. He plays the hot corner well and is stellar from an offensive standpoint. Sure, he doesn’t player in one of the bigger markets with the brighter lights, but he prefers it that way. Ramirez deserves more love and appreciation and that’s why he will be an MVP finalist.

If the AL wasn’t so star heavy, Ramirez would’ve been a finalist in 2024. He was one home run shy of a 40-40 season, while also slashing .279/.335/.537 with a .892 OPS. His 141 wRC+ was 12th best among qualified batters. He’s being consistently performing for his entire career and 2025 is the year he comes a finalist.

With the Guardians rotation a major question mark and losing Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks, Ramirez will have to be at his best and will be the true definition of the most valuable player.

Kansas City Royals

Prediction: Bobby Witt Jr Wins AL MVP

What a breakout season for Bobby Witt Jr. After signing the big ticket extension to remain with the Royals, Witt Jr delivered on all accounts. He won the batting title, hitting .322 for the season. Also, he had the third best slugging percentage and the fourth best OPS in 2024. He was the heartbeat of the Royals and it’ll only get better.

Bobby Witt Jr. becomes the first shortstop in MLB HISTORY to have multiple 30/30 seasons 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8DwfEqU7zm

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 17, 2024

He was a finalist in 2024 being alongside the dynamic duo from the Bronx in Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. He did not win it, but does win it in 2025. His offensive numbers should not change, but given how elite his speed is on the base paths he will swipe 50 bags this season.

The Royals are a fun team to watch and Witt Jr. is one of the most electric players in the sport.

Minnesota Twins

Prediction: Multiple Big Pieces Get Traded

This is probably the last thing that Twins fans want to see and hear. In a division that has gotten much more competitive, the Twins have fallen behind. The team could be up for sale and essentially the team has not done nearly enough to add any key pieces to bolster the roster. Instead, multiple key pieces get traded, whether it’s the winter or during the season.

Carlos Correa is the biggest trade target and deservedly so. Correa hit .310 and with a .905 OPS. He does not strikeout a ton, generates walks, and puts together really good at bats. Also, he’s a solid defender, finishing in the 87th percentile in outs above average.

The next big domino could come from the diamond and that’s Pablo Lopez. Lopez did see his ERA shoot up to 4.08, but there is lots to love about his game. Lopez has good command and has a good mix of pitches he uses. Jhoan Duran has also been floated out there once before, so there are options.

It’s not to say that any of these guys get traded, but with the front office wanting to shed payroll it makes all the sense in the world.

Detroit Tigers

Prediction: Tigers Prove Last Year Was No Fluke

The Tigers did the unthinkable last season. They had a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs in the month of August and went on a heater and snuck into the playoffs. Furthermore, they took down the empire that is the Houston Astros ending their run of ALCS appearances.

2024 PitchingNinja Most Outstanding Pitcher of the Year. 🏆

Winner: Tarik Skubal pic.twitter.com/9Xc6FFvrWD

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 27, 2024

Tarik Skubal won the CY Young and the Tigers simply just came alive. They just added Gleyber Torres and will move Colt Keith to first base. Torres showed promise down the stretch as a leadoff hitter and the club still remains in the hunt for Alex Bregman.

The Tigers are going to prove last year was no fluke. Whether they make the playoffs is a mystery, but they’ll be right in the mix and be competing the entire way for that spot.

Chicago White Sox

Prediction: White Sox Lose 100+ games

We will keep this brief. The White Sox were historically abysmal and lost 121 games. They traded Garrett Crochet and already moved on from Eric Fedde. This is what a true rebuild looks like. Luis Robert is the only player remaining from that 2020 roster that looked promising.

Somehow this team is worse when you look at the constructed roster from last season and painful days are still to come. This team will still lose 100+ games and the light at the end of the tunnel is not quite near.

Up Next: The NL West