Jager bombs, Jager bombs!  My name is Jake Peavy, and I like to party.  Lets kick off the AL Central starting rotation rankings by saying the Chi Sox have their best rotation since their 2005 World Series Championship.

1. Chicago White Sox

I wrote about Peavy in previous 'busts' column - I’m not saying don't draft him, just not as a Top 10 stud.  He was nasty in his three starts with the White Sox last year (3-0, 1.35 ERA), which is what he has going for him pitching against these other central foes, but as I wrote before, I think his ratios jump up from his SD days.  Buehrle?  Buehrle?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Marky Mark has put up solid numbers the past three years with an ERA under 4.00 in each of those seasons - expect much of the same.  I hate the lack of strikeouts but love the random perfectness, he’s a solid middle tier starter if you have power pitchers to go around him.  Floyd had a remarkable 2008 and a mediocre 2009, although we did see a drastic improvement in his K/9.  Definitely worth a draft pick, expect more of last year’s ratios, wins are just dumb, but I do see 20 QS potential.  Same goes for John Danks, who you might even want to put ahead of Floyd on your draft cheat sheet; both guys are solid as middle to back rotation starters on your fantasy teams.  Steer clear of Freddy Garcia, and let Daniel Hudson prove himself first before drafting (probably won’t even be in the rotation to begin with).

2. Minnesota Twins

This was a tough call between the Twins and the Tigers, but I went with the Twins because I think Baker and Slowey are going to improve.   I like the solid K/9 ratios they bring; Baker has had a solid WHIP the past two seasons, he just needs to cut down on the long balls and I think that happens this year with him getting to 20 QS.  Slowey was having a solid 2009 (at least in the wins department) until being injured, I think he gets 20 QS this year too.  Hard to believe how few batters he walks when you see his 1.41 WHIP, a ratio he should also improve.  No thanks on Pavano - although he did manage to stay healthy and improve his K/9 rate from 3.96 in ’08 to 6.64 in ’09, something tells me he’ll be tossed around on the waiver wire like a hooker at a bachelor party.  Geez, talk about consistent, look at Nick Blackburns numbers the past two years: 11-11, 4.05 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 96 Ks in 2008 and 11-11, 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 98 Ks in 2009. Either way 21 QS last year is not too shabby at all, there’s just nothing else that impresses, but I have no qualms with him being the last starter on my fantasy team.  Brian Duensing had a solid rookie campaign, and I think he’s worth a late round flier.  And then there’s Liriano…what happened my friend?  The strikeouts were there, and that was it.  After his strong Dominican Winter League showing (1.20 ERA with a 13:4 K:BB ration is 15 innings in postseason play), he might be a nice sleeper pick…or assuming everyone’s bought into that he could once again be overvalued (I’m assuming the latter).

3. Detroit Tigers

Not sure what happened to Verlander in 2008, but 2006-07 and especially 2009 were great years.  Love the K’s, love the WHIP, don’t love the team he plays for, but I buy this guy as a top 10 starter (and he’s only turning 27).  Now for these other guys, ehh….definitely draft Max Scherzer, but no more than a middle tier starter; he’ll have the K’s, but I don’t think there will be much improvement in his numbers, if any, after his move to the AL.  Porcello had a decent rookie campaign, but 11 QS outta 31 starts is nothing to brag about, neither are the ratios and especially not the K’s.  Really it was the 14 unpredictable wins, but this guy is only 21 and he pitched much better in the last two months of the year so I think he’s definitely worth a back end rotation spot.  As for the rest of the guys, no thanks, I think Bonderman and Robertson are slated to fill out the rotation but please, let's move along here.

4. Kansas City Royals

Buy Greinke, what a studly 2009 for such an awful team.  Draft him even earlier in keeper leagues, he’s only 26, he’ll be a top 5 starter overall.  Gil Meche’s 2008 was not too shabby, but then last year happened…gross…no need to draft.   Luke, use the force…because your stats look like garbage.  He was a highly touted prospect but has yet to show any positive results.  However, his walks have gone down, K’s have gone up (so have HRs and ERA, yikes), but I gotta feeling…that this year is gonna be a good year.  I feel like Brian Bannister is a big tease, I always pick him up after he starts off hot and he’ll give me a couple more good starts, but then the honeymoon ends too quickly.  That’s been the case the past two seasons, and I wouldn’t bother drafting the guy because overall there’s just nothing too enticing.  Kyle Davies?   You won’t be starting for long, if at all.  And Robinson Tejeda?  There’s always upside with guys who can strike people out (just look at De La Rosa for the Rockies); he only started 6 games last year, all in September, but in 4 of those he gave up only 1 run or less.  Keep an eye out.

5. Cleveland Indians

When I dropped a fat deuce this morning, I looked into the toilet and what did I see?  The Indians starting rotation…or lack thereof…or corn and carrots, anyways you catch my drift.  Honestly, I wouldn’t draft a soul on this pitching squad.  Jake Westbrook hasn’t pitched in nearly two years (Tommy John Surgery)…and what, hopefully he can return to 2006 form (which was nothing special)?  Let him prove it first.  Carmona sounds more like cancer, love it when a guy walks almost as many as he strikes out (actually did walk more in '08).  You would think Masterson could do something after having a decent rookie year in 2008, but he went 1-7 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with Cleveland last year.  I do like the Ks and he’s only 24; I think he emerges as the Indian’s best starter (which is waiver wire material).  Huff, Laffey, and Sowers will be battling for the last two spots, and battling to even be mentioned in this article.  I like Huff the most out of the three, but that’s like saying Baby Spice is the best Spice Girl.  Carlos Carrasco and Hector Rondon are guys to watch for down the road, but will have minimal impact in the 2010 season.  Carrasco’s September call-up clearly shows he was not ready for the bigs (see above stats).  I think Mitch Talbot actually lands in a bullpen role.  Either way, be sure to clean up after yourself after looking at this rotation.

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