NL Central

Cubs – I think the Cubbies best off season move was getting rid of Felix Pie via trade with the O’s.  Since he was called up in 2005 he hasn’t proven he can hit major league pitching like he did in the minors to make him the Cubs number one prospect according to Baseball America.  He holds a career batting average of .233 in 260 ABs  and created a lock jam in the Cubs outfield and was slated to start in CF the last two seasons.

Speaking of lock jam, the Cubs signed hot-head Milton Bradley to a 3 year deal and they currently have 4 guys who could potentially start in the OF.  Bradley loses his cool way too easily and too often and it has really held him back.  I.e. when he was with the A’s, having a decent year, and he argued a call with an umpire which cost him the season.  He was jumping up and down like a mad man and he ruptured his ACL.  Good one Milton!  The guy, when healthy, has proven he can hit.  Last year he led the AL in OBP and SLG percentage and was in the top 10 in BA.  These are the kinds of numbers Cubs fans will expect and if he doesn’t do it; well just watch your back Cubs fans because he may come after you.

Brewers – Where do I begin?  Maybe one of the worst off-seasons in the last 10 years.  They re-signed NO ONE, Torres who was the Brewers best closer since Cordero left, decided to retire unexpectedly and they still have Rickie Weeks starting at 2B.  Yeah, I believe he is THAT BAD.  Really the Brewers should have just offered CC a 10 year/$250 million deal.  That would have kept him in Milwaukee and with that offense they would have made the playoffs a few more times pending Eric Gagne doesn’t make the team during those years.

Astros – The big pick up for the Astros this year was Mike Hampton… if this was 1999!  Come on when was the last time this guy made 30 starts?  Or 20 quality starts?  Even though Hampton’s numbers have stumbled the past few years when he saw playing time, the Astros ALWAYS make a late season run.  They won’t be able to do this much longer I believe.  How long do you think a top 10 pitcher in the NL in Roy Oswalt is going to want to stay with a bunch of losers year in and year out?

The closest they came to winning the WS was in 2004 but the Cardinals ended that run, which was largely due to Carlos Beltran being the best player on the planet for those few months the Astros rented him.  He didn’t get thrown out stealing a base in the NL that year and he had 8 post season HRs.  If this team wants to make the playoffs again they need to get some offense to support Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee who I think a two top 20 players in the NL as far as numbers alone go.  They did resign Valverde though who will get you 40 saves with a 4 ERA; take it or leave it.

Cardinals – The Cardinals off season moves are really in question.  Way back in October they resigned Kyle Lohse who had a career year in ’08.  Maybe locking him up for 4 years was the right move but we will have to wait and see how that plays out.  He went 15-6 for the Cardinals in a contract year and is a Scott Boras client.  It was the first year his ERA was under 4.  We will see this year if it was a fluke; let’s hope not because he is on my fantasy baseball team.

They upgraded offensively at shortstop adding Khalil Greene who has the power potential to hit 20 HRs this year but he holds a career BA of .248.  The Cardinals also added left handed specialist Trevor Miller, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays, who will bring a veteran presence to the bullpen as well as get lefties out.  Left handed batters only hit .206 against Miller last season.  Miller throws submarine so it is definitely tough for lefties to pick up on his release point.  In an odd sequence of events the Cardinals did NOT tender the contract of Aaron Miles who batted .317 and played almost every position (including pitcher) for them last year and more recently they cut Adam Kennedy who was another solid defender at any position he was put at.

I feel bad for my blogging partner Chris because the Cardinals signed Dennys Reyes.  His 2.33 ERA was deceiving last year.  Granted his had a low ERA and opponents BAA but he had to have given up a run every time he came in a game with a runner on.  I watched a good 75% of Twins games last year and it just seemed like he ALWAYS gave up inherited base runner runs.  I am so happy they got rid of him, even if it would have only cost the Twins $2 million a year.

Cardinals also lost Brandon Looper to the Brewers via free agency and their best move was NOT resigning Isringhausen and Mulder.  Isringhausen had a 5.70 ERA last year to go along with a 1.64 and 7 blown saves in 19 chances.  Mulder made only 4 starts in the last 2 seasons.

Reds – Willy Taveras is now a member of the Reds, him and his 68 SB (only caught stealing 7 times).  His OBP for a leadoff hitter was a piss poor .308.  Imagine if his OBP was near .340?  Oh the things Taveras could do.  He stated this offseason that he legitimately things he can steal 100 bases which is definitely feasible if he raised his OBP.  The Reds signed hard throwing lefty Arthur Rhodes who is 39 years old and had a 2.01 ERA last year.  Clearly this guy can still get outs.  Lefties batted .196 against Rhodes so look for the Reds to use him in lefty lefty matchups.

The Reds also picked up Ramon Hernandez in a trade with the Orioles (in which the Reds gave up Ryan Freel).  Only 3 years ago Hernandez hit 23 HRs and drove in 91 runs.  Hernandez only threw out 20% of all base stealers last year; he will definitely have to improve his foot work this year and throw out at least 35%.  Reds pitchers put a lot of guys on base.  They are lucky that Taveras is on their team in this case.  Cincinnati also signed pinch hitcher extraordinaire Daryl Ward as well as Jaque Jones.  These two players will help out the Reds bench but neither of them will get a significant amount of ABs.

Pirates – Signed no one of any significance who will see any playing time.  It’s actually pretty sad.  They did re-sign Nate McLouth to a 3-year deal; McLouth was a first time All-Star last year and has a bright future unfortunately it will be in Pittsburgh for now.  McLouth had career highs in every major statistical category.  Bring on Pedro Alverez.