The Indians are set to report to Goodyear, Arizona this upcoming week, and they are going to take a backseat to the Tigers for being the favorite in the division after what the Tigers did and the Indians did this offseason.

Veteran Plain Dealer reporter Paul Hoynes is making his way to Goodyear, and he has a complete division breakdown, and he says the Tigers are clear and away the favorite.

1. Tigers.

2011: 95-67, first place.

Manager: Jim Leyland.

Strengths: It doesn’t get much better than Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA), closer Jose Valverde (2-4, 2.24, 49 saves), Miguel Cabrera (.344, 30 HR, 111 RBI) and newcomer Prince Fielder (.299, 38, 120). Verlander was the Cy Young and MVP in 2011. Valverde went 49-for-49 in save situations. Cabrera and Fielder slugged .586 and .566, respectively.

Flaws: They lost DH/C/1B Victor Martinez for the season with a left knee injury. The Tigers open spring training talking about Cabrera, the AL’s batting champ, moving from first to third base.

Additions: Fielder, 2B/SS Ramon Santiago (re-signed), RHP Octavio Dotel, C Gerald Laird, OF Jerad Head, OF Eric Patterson, RHP Collin Balester.

Subtractions: 2B Carlos Guillen, RF Magglio Ordonez, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Joel Zumaya, 2B Will Rhymes, RHP Ryan Perry.

Player to watch: Doug Fister went 8-1 in 11 games, including 10 starts, for the Tigers last year after being acquired from Seattle at the trading deadline.

2. Indians.

2011: 80-82, second place.

Manager: Manny Acta.

Strengths: Pitching powered the Indians to an 11-game improvement last year. The rotation has a chance to be competitive with Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin, Derek Lowe and Kevin Slowey/Jeanmar Gomez. The bullpen, with closer Chris Perez and setup men Vinnie Pestano, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Joe Smith and Frank Herrmann, have been good for a 11/2 seasons.

Weaknesses: Offense is a concern. CF Grady Sizemore, LF Michael Brantley and RF Shin-Soo Choo all missed considerable time last season with injuries. The Indians ranked ninth in runs, while striking out the second-most times in the AL. Signed 1B Casey Kotchman (.306, 10 HR, 48 RBI) to improve defense and stabilize lineup.

Additions: OF Sizemore (re-signed), 1B Kotchman, RHP Lowe, RHP Slowey, RHP Robinson Tejada, RHP Dan Wheeler, RHP Jeremy Accardo, OF Aaron Cunningham, OF/INF Russ Canzler, OF Fred Lewis, RHP Hector Ambriz, RHP Chris Ray, LHP Chris Seddon, C Luke Carlin, C Matt Pagnozzi, INF Andy LaRoche, INF Jose Lopez, OF Felix Pie and OF Ryan Spilborghs.

Subtractions: RHP Chad Durbin, OF Kosuke Fukudome, DH Jim Thome, RHP Josh Judy, INF Luis Valbuena.

Player to watch: 2B Jason Kipnis, if he can stay healthy, should add power and energy to the offense.

Click HERE to Read the Rest of Paul’s Preview