Roundup
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Guardians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
White Sox betting on Colson Montgomery, AL Central roundup
The White Sox aim to build on their 84-win season around Colson Montgomery, while the Guardians and Twins see key staffers move in and out.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
There were no games on the schedule for the AL Central on Monday, but the ripple effects of the just-finished season were still felt around the division, most notably with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins.
White Sox aim to turn surprise run into division crown
As MLB Trade Rumors notes, the Chicago White Sox surprised the league by winning 84 games and grabbing a Wild Card spot this year. Their postseason run ended in a five-game Division Series loss to the Cleveland Guardians, but the club now has its sights set on an AL Central title next season, built around what is described as a strong position-player group. MLB Trade Rumors highlights infielder Colson Montgomery as a key part of that conversation, framing the offseason question as whether he can sustain his level of performance and anchor that emerging core.
Guardians lose a key voice in hitting development
Division champions at 85-77, the Cleveland Guardians are seeing change in their player-development ranks. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Conner Watson, who has served as the Guardians’ assistant director of hitting development for the past two seasons, has been hired by the Houston Astros as their new director of hitting. The move, reported by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome and relayed by MLB Trade Rumors, is part of a broader offseason of change in Houston, and represents a notable loss for Cleveland in an important department.
Rocco Baldelli steps away from Mariners’ search
The Minnesota Twins were also in the news despite the off day. Former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was a candidate for the Seattle Mariners’ managerial opening, but has pulled his name from consideration due to family reasons, according to Ken Rosenthal as cited by MLB Trade Rumors. His withdrawal, per that report, leaves former Astros skipper Joe Espada and the Cubs’ director of player development, a front-office executive named Jason, among the remaining options for Seattle.
No major updates surfaced for the Detroit Tigers (76-86) or Kansas City Royals (69-93), who enter the offseason looking up at the division’s top three clubs and facing significant ground to make up in 2027.