MLB Preview: NL Central
While it has a number of frustratingly poor franchises, the National League Central has some very interesting teams to keep track off. The Chicago Cubs are probably the best bet for a 90+ win team in the National League, and Milwaukee, St. Louis and possibly Cincinnati are contenders for second place and potentially a wild card birth. Houston and Pittsburgh? Not really worth your time.
Chicago Cubs (93-59, Division Champs)
Cubs fans have a right to complain about their fate in the playoffs last year as they were the best team in the National League over the course of the season but ran in to a hot Dodgers team. While the Cubs’ off-season, at best, left them back where they finished last year, their talent level is still significantly higher than that of their competitors in the National League, particularly in the Central. A middle of the lineup with Aramsi Ramirez, Govany Soto, Derek Lee and Alfonso Soriano is about as good as it gets. And if Milton Bradley’s foray back into the outfield does not result in significant time on the DL, it will be even more formidable. Despite some injury concerns, with Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, the rotation, which also includes Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly, will be as good as any in the National League. And as long as Kevin Gregg does not become the bullpen ace, they can expect solid relief pitching as well.
Team MVP: Geovany Soto
Player to Watch: Milton Bradley
Milwaukee Brewers (84-78)
After trading for C.C. Sabathia last year the Brewers beat out the Mets and Phillies for the Wild Card, their first playoff appearance in 26 years. This year the team essentially loses its best two pitchers in Sabathia and Ben Sheets, but still returns a formidable offense featuring Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart and potentially Rickie Weeks. The Brewers rotation will not set the world alight, but if Yovani Gallardo can step into the roll of an ace, then the rest of the rotation (Dave Bush, Manny Parra, Jeff Suppan) might be good enough for the team to push for a Wild Card spot. One other thing that the Brewers have going for them is their impact talent on the farm; Mat Gamel, Angel Salome and Alcides Escobar could all make major contributions this year.
Team MVP: Ryan Braun
Player to Watch: Mat Gamel
St. Louis Cardinals (83-79)
Any time you have Albert Pujols on your team you have a chance. Combine with some career years from players like Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel and you have the reason for the Cardinals unexpected significance last year. The team should see a significant boost to its rotation with the return of Chris Carpenter and a potentially healthy Adam Wainwright. And Brett Wallace and Colby Rasmus are two impact bats waiting to be called up to help the big club at 3B and Centerfield, respectively; however, there just is not enough complimentary talent on this roster to see them truly competing for the Division or the Wild Card.
Team MVP: Albert Pujols
Player to Watch: Chris Carpenter
Cincinnati Reds (81-81)
Cincinnati has become somewhat of a vogue sleeper pick this year. While there is a lot to like about the team’s development with Brandon Phillips along with young players such as Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto, there are a few too many question marks about the team’s role players to trust their position as a contender. Expect Aaron Harang to bounce back and for Bronson Arroyo and Micah Owings to fill out a strong rotation; however, the team is relying on too many at-bats from Willy Taveras, Jerry Hairston and Alex Gonzalez to be truly competitive. In addition to this the team is being run by Dusty Baker who can be counted on to ruin the career of one of the team’s young starters before the All Star Break, and continue to rationalize Taveras’ .331 career OBP in the lead-off spot … because he’s fast.
Team MVP: Joey Votto
Player to Wach: Jay Bruce
Houston Astros (68-94)
Houston has been trading away their future for years now, both in trades for over the hill players and in failing to sign its draft picks. 2009 will be the year that the results of these failed policies will finally manifest themselves. On paper the Astros should be competitive with premium talent like Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence and Roy Oswalt and a payroll that is consistently around $90 million; however, the complimentary talent is significantly below average and the farm system is non-existent. While the Astros farm was no great shakes at the end of 2007, much of their talent was sent to Baltimore and Arizona for Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde, respectively. It will likely be a long time before the Astros will be competing for anything other than top draft picks.
Team MVP: Lance Berkman
Player to Watch: Hunter Pence
Pittsburgh Pirates (64-98)
The Pirates have been possibly the worst MLB franchise for the past decade and a half, and while the team looks to be making some steps in the right direction, there is not enough talent on the major or minor league rosters to see them breaking their 16 year playoff drought any time soon. Nate Mclouth and Ryan Doumit are the only major league regulars who could start on a contending team. There was some hope for the pitching staff in 2008, but Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelany and Matt Capps all demonstrated that they were unable to fulfill their 2007 promise. The hope for Pittsburgh’s future is their prospects, and they have some good ones in Pedro Alvares, Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabatta and Brad Lincoln. While Andy Laroche has been an enigma for the past two years, putting up huge numbers in the minor leagues but being unable to transition his development to the majors, he has the potential to be a solid third baseman.
Team MVP: Ryan Doumit
Player to Watch: Andy Laroche
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