The NL Central was the home of the team with the worst winning record of a World Series team ever, the 83-79 St Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals rotation has been decimated, with two former Cardinal Starters moving to other teams in the National League Central. Can $300 Million buy the Chicago Cubs the elusive World Series Pennant? Can the Brewers hope that Jeff Suppan becomes more than a one season wonder? Can Carlos Lee help the Astros recover from the loss of the Rocket?
Here's the NL Central overview:
Chicago Cubs- The first thing the Cubs did to improve the team was hire Lou Pinella as their new manager. The second thing they did was get some major offensive help in Alfonso Soriano. Third, they got pitching help (and they may have finally ended their dependence on Mark Prior to be healthy) in the form of Ted Lilly and former St Louis Cardinal pitcher Jason Marquis. The Cubs capped off their $300 million offseason spending spree by agreeing to a deal with former New York Met outfielder Cliff Floyd.
The Cubs have spent the most money this offseason, they have the pitching, they have the defense, they have the offense (with a healthy Derrek Lee) and they have the defense (Gold Glover Caesar Izturis). The Cubs will battle with the Cardinals for the division. The Race for the NL Central could go down to the wire. Call me crazy (or biased, either will do), but I think these Cubs can take advantage of the wounded Cardinals and win the NL Central.
The St Louis Cardinals won the World Series, but they won't be able to recover from their World Series hangover. They have Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter (NL Cy Young Award Winner) but not much else. Jim Edmonds,Scott Rolen and Preston Wilson are getting old, the Cardinals don't have much offense after Pujols, and not much defense past David Eckstein. The Cardinals will finish second to the Cubs in the division, and will miss the playoffs.
The Houston Astros signed outfielder Carlos Lee in the hope that he can be the offensive spark that Preston Wilson was supposed to be in Houston last year. Jason Jennings, acquired in the Colorado Rockies trade for Willy Taveras, goes from one hitter's park to another. He just can't catch a break. Veteran Leadership will carry the day for Houston (Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman) however, the Astros will feel the loss of other veteran leadership (Clemens, Pettite) and the Astros will finish third in their division.
The Milwaukee Brewers will finish fourth. The Brewers made a huge gamble in the hope that Jeff Suppan can become more than a one season wonder. The key for the Brewers will be Ben Sheets. If Sheets is healthy, they could leapfrog the Astros. However, if he's not, these Brewers will finish fourth.
The Pittsburgh Pirates don't have a lot past Zach Duke and Jason Bay, although Freddy Sanchez could have a good year this year. The Pirates will continue to build for the future.
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