Preseason Roundup Part3: NL Central

NL Central

Predictions


By Staff writer David Herrmann

My least favorite division in baseball, why? I don't know. Seemingly you'd think it would be exciting since the Cardinals and Brewers are both pretty good teams. But, alas I hate even talking about this division. This off-season saw the loss of both Pujols and Fielder. The Brewers almost lost Ryan Braun for 50 games due to a "botched" steroid allegation. The Cubs got on new GM in Theo Epstein and hope to turn around the squad into lovable winners. The Pirates traded for AJ Burnett only to lose him after a ball broke his eye bones. The Houston Astros traded away the last chip that would make them somewhat exciting to watch in Jason Bourgeois. Finally, the trendy pick Cincinnatti Reds added Ryan Madson only to lose him to Tommy John before one regular season game started. 

                                                                            
Cincinnatti Reds.

Looking at the Reds you have a solid very above average first basemen in Joey Votto and power hitting outfielder in Jay Bruce, a great up the middle guy in Brandon Phillips and a very underrated center fielder in Drew Stubbs. The Reds traded this off-season for Matt Latos and gave up Edinson Volquez and a highly prized prospect. The Reds are essentially going for it this year. They signed Ryan Madson to a one-year deal, but have lost him due to TJ surgery. They have the tools to compete, Cueto, Latos a top the rotation isn't exactly the strongest but if both of these guys perform like they have in the past year it should be well enough to win. 

89-73

                           

Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brew crew lost their second best player in Prince Fielder to free agency but gained some back in Aramis Ramirez. The Brewers are still a solid team without Fielder. Matt Gamel who has yet to prove anything in the MLB will have the first base job and it is his to lose. The Brewers will put up runs with Braun, Weeks, Ramirez and Hart. They have one of the best rotations in the NL with Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum and Wolf atop. They return a solid closer in John Axford. Ultimately this team could run away with the division if healthy. Weeks, Marcum, Greinke and Hart are all health risks. In a perfect world this team stays healthy and they win 92 games on their way to the playoffs. However, I just don't see that happening. I see them battling for the division crown but the Reds coming out on top by the thinnest of margins.

88-74

St. Louis Cardinals.

After an off-season that lost both Pujols and La Russa the Cardinals begin a new leaf. This is a new Cardinals team built around age at this point. The Cardinals have an aging slugger in Lance Berkman and Carlos Beltran. They are hedging their bets that Chris Carpenter can contribute at some point during this season, keep in mind he is 37 years of age. Adam Wainwright is making his return from TJ surgery and it isn't known yet how he will perform right away. The team's opening day starter Kyle Lohse is another reason this team has some signs of concern. Lohse put up great numbers last year but can he repeat and be consistent which has always been his crutch. I think the Cardinals should be good. Jason Motte is a good closer, though has trouble with walks. The Cardinals again will have Matt Holliday in the outfield, how long will he stay on the field, tops 140 games. Will Berkman repeat last year? Probably not. Will Carlos Beltran contribute after signing probably his last major contract? Maybe. The Cardinals will be a large question mark.

86-76

Chicago Cubs.

Those loveable losers in Chicago can’t ever get beyond that pesky goat. This team didn't really do much this off-season but "trade" for Theo Epstein. The Cubs didn't resign Peña and traded away Sean Marshall and dumped Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs feature an aging free swinging slugger in Alfonso Soriano and a oft injured Marlon Byrd. David DeJesus was a free agent signing whom when healthy can perform above average, however his injury history is tainted and expect to lose him for periods of time during the season. The "ace" of the staff, Matt Garza should sign an extension to be with the team unless they trade him at the deadline. It will be another downer year for the Cubbies, but let it be known Theo Epstein the man who brought the World Series home to Boston has free reign and don't expect the losing trend to continue much longer.

73-89

Pittsburgh Pirates.

Another season of losing is in the works for the Swashbucklers. Will this team ever be good again? They have one of the best players in baseball in Andrew McCutchen and a solid closer in Joel Hanrahan. The teams average first baseman Garret Jones, second baseman Neil Walker and third baseman Pedro Alvarez should contribute modest numbers at best. I see Casey McGehee over taking Pedro for the third base job and putting up better numbers than his Milwaukee days. This team is banking that Erik Bedard can stay healthy, maybe for 20 starts at tops. AJ Burnett is out till at least late May early June. Not much to say.

72-90

Houston Astros.

Quick name me 3 starters for this team. None? Yea me neither. At least they are moving to the American League and can have the DH. This team needs all the help they can get. By moving to the AL will this help? Probably not but maybe just maybe they can start getting more fans in the seats. Most people prefer the AL to NL and having to see the Pirates almost 15 times a year doesn't help attendance. Being in the AL will pit them against better competition and more money. The Astros have a long way to go to become relevant again; it starts with trading Wandy Rodriguez. The last real trade chip. They have moved Brett Myers to the bullpen to close to hopefully trade him at some point during the season as well. The Stros are in bad shape for 2012.

61-101