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It's Time to be a GM and Protect Your Players: AL Central Version

Sorry for the long delay. College.

To refresh:

There is a new expansion draft format and for one day you get to be a GM of all 30 teams. Here's the catch; you can only protect three players from each organization (sorry not 15, then 3 more, etc., that would take way too long). You get the player as is with his current contract (it makes things more interesting). Keep in mind each teams financial statuses.

Today's version: AL Central

Much much more after the jump.

Indians protect: Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, Ubaldo Jimenez

Analysis: Good catchers and shortstops are rare these days so protecting Santana and Cabrera are easy choices. The always tough third spot left me pondering over a couple of players. I considered Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indian's top 2 prospects from the previous season. Francisco Lindor may prove to be a lock next season, but I'm not yet sold after just 19 professional at-bats. We all know what Jimenez can do when he is at the top of his game and I just see too much potential to risk letting him go.

Royals protect: Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas

The Royals have been stocking up on young talent for quite some time now and it has finally paid off. Alex Gordon finally played like the All-Star everyone thought he would be and I really like him going forward. He even plays Gold-Glove defense. Well, that's a conversation for another day.

Tigers protect: Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Doug Fister

Analysis: Perennial Cy Young and MVP candidates make my job easy. I think the Tigers have a few guys who you could slot into that third spot and feel pretty good about your decision: Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Austin Jackson, and Fister. I went with Fister because he really impressed me this year, especially after leaving Seattle.

Twins protect: Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario

Analysis: Oh how things have changed for the Twins in just a season. Regardless of power (or lackthereof), playing time and contract, I can't not protect Joe Mauer. The rest is up for discussion so I went with their top two prospects.

White Sox protect: Gavin Floyd, John Danks, Chris Sale

Analysis: Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. The White Sox don't have much to offer for this discussion. Floyd and Danks have proven to be pretty solid Major League starters. Sale has a ton of potential and there is no way I can leave him unprotected. Gordon Beckham, what happened.........

Critique away.

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