One perfect free-agent signing for every AL Central team

Cleveland Guardians: SP Nick Pivetta

Entering the new season without acquiring more starting pitching will be a tough pill for Guardians fans to swallow.

Cleveland has already re-signed Shane Bieber, but he likely won't be ready to rejoin the rotation until the middle of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Signing Pivetta (4.14 ERA in 145.2 innings for Boston last season) would give the Guardians a front-end starter who has proven to be durable throughout the majority of his career. 

In what will likely be a dogfight for the top of the division, Cleveland needs to find more quality arms. Pivetta would be a big step toward achieving that goal.

Detroit Tigers: 3B Alex Bregman

Ready to put a jolt into the lineup in the Motor City? Sign Bregman and immediately not only add a power bat but also a cornerstone at the hot corner for years to come.

With Houston last season, Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and also won the AL's Gold Glove at third base. Those numbers alone make him not only one of the most-coveted players on the market this winter, but also likely the most expensive infielder out there as well.

Will Detroit spend in the neighborhood of $200 million to land Bregman? If so, that signing would go a long ways toward Detroit continuing its upward trajectory.

Kansas City Royals: RP Paul Sewald

After a season where he was pulled from closing duties with the Arizona Diamondbacks (4.31 ERA and ERA+ of 98 after three seasons of 125 or higher), the 34-year-old Sewald is looking to prove himself again as a late-inning option in 2025. 

With the Royals already in possession of Lucas Erceg as a closing option, Sewald could fit in to compete for the role in spring training. If he doesn't win it in spring, and if he reverts to the form he showed before last season's string of blown saves, he can still be a late-inning weapon for the Royals in a ballpark that is pitcher-friendly.

Minnesota Twins: SP Jose Quintana

The Twins need pitching depth, and the 35-year-old Quintana has spoken about his desire to try to win a championship. Maybe there's a good match here for a Twins team that is expected to contend for the division title but still needs a few pieces for its roster.

Last season, Quintana threw 170.1 innings for the New York Mets and posted a 3.75 ERA. He's a veteran southpaw who started out in the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox and has postseason experience with three different teams (logging a cumulative 3.55 ERA in 33.0 innings).