MLB Weekly: Ken Griffey Jr Back In Seattle, Could Twins Be Favorites In The AL Central? & More

Ken Griffey: I had originally suggested that Griffey go to the Braves because I felt like he would have a better chance to win there. I also feel like Griffey's return to Seattle is going to make him the story there all year long, since the team isn't going to be any good, the focus will be on him and it will seem like a farewell tour. However, after looking over the situation, Griffey probably has a better chance to stay healthy with an AL team since he will get most of his at bats at DH. This is something that I didn't consider and it seems to be the major factor in where Griffey decided to play. If Seattle is out of things early though, we still might see some team try and trade for Griffey around the trade deadline, but honestly I think he finishes the season in Seattle.

Minnesota Twins: The Twins signed 3B Joe Crede and are looking at possibly dealing for reliever Juan Cruz to be their setup man for Joe Nathan. If Crede can stay healthy than he will definitely be a productive player for the Twins. With the addition of a healthy Crede and possibly the live arm of Cruz to the bullpen, I am getting very close to predicting that the Twins will win the AL Central this year. I think they have a couple players on their team who could have breakout seasons offensively and their pitching is always solid, especially with Joe Nathan closing games for them. I think the Twins main competition in the AL Central will be the Indians, although I still think the White Sox will be in the mix too. Detroit needs to shore up their pitching before I consider them a contender for the division and I think Kansas City is still a .500 team at best. I'm not ready to make a prediction just yet, but I'm definitely leaning towards the Twins right now.

Other MLB News:

- After missing out on Griffey, the Braves signed OF Garrett Anderson, who could platoon in LF with Matt Diaz. Anderson will provide the Braves lineup with another solid and reliable bat. The Braves also signed pitcher Tom Glavine, who will get to end his career where he started it.

- The Dodgers were able to improve their team by signing 2B Orlando Hudson. The O-Dog is one of the better 2B in baseball and superb in the field, so for the Dodgers to sign him for just 1 year and $3.4 million is a steal. Now if they could just wrap up that Manny deal.

- Pitcher Dontrelle Willis has completely revamped his pitching motion and is throwing with an increased velocity that has him hopeful that he can make the Tigers rotation this season. I was a big Dontrelle fan, so I'm hoping that he can make it back this season and pitch well for the Tigers.
- The Rays signed Jason Isringhausen to a minor league deal and he could compete for their closer job if Troy Percival is unable to pitch.

- The Rangers signed pitcher Kris Benson to a minor league deal. Benson missed all of 2007 with a rotator cuff and elbow injury and spent last season in the minors.

- Nomar Garciaparra is drawing interest from the A's and Phillies, with the A's being the favorites at this point. Nomar is also said to be strongly considering retirement.

More: MLB & MLB Weekly