2009 NL Central Preview

Chicago Cubs

Key Addition: Milton Bradley

The Cubs are the defending NL Central champs, but again flopped in the Division Series. The front office wanted to target a left-handed power hitter to give pitchers a different look at the Cubs’ lineup. Add that need to the fact that Kosuke Fukudome struggled last season, right field became the position the Cubs were looking to fill, and Milton Bradley fits. When healthy, Bradley will likely produce 20 home runs, 80 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. The problem has been that Bradley can’t stay healthy. Bradley was able to play in 126 games for the Texas Rangers last year but that was out the Designated Hitter role, not an actual position. If Bradley can stay healthy, look for big things from the Cubs not only in the regular season, but also the playoffs.

Key Player: Ryan Dempster

Dempster put up a career year for the Cubs last season when he posted 17 wins and a 2.96 ERA. If Dempster can put up similar numbers to last season he will give the Cubs one of the strongest rotations in baseball. If Dempster can put up those numbers from the fourth spot in the rotation it could certainly put a lid on the rumors of bring Jake Peavy to the North Side.

Player to Watch: Mike Fontenot

Fontenot will be the everyday second baseman with the departure of Mark DeRosa. Fontenot won’t need to make a huge impact offensively for the Cubs as they already have a dangerous lineup. With no pressure on him to perform, he could thrive at the bottom of the order by getting on base and being a second leadoff hitter for the Cubs to give Alfonso Soriano more RBI opportunities out of the leadoff spot.

Conclusion

The only question mark the Cubs face is in center field, can Fukudome perform like he was anticipated to when he signed last year, or can Reed Johnson handle center field everyday? The Cubs are the favorite to win the NL Central, as long as injuries are avoided from players like Bradley and Rich Harden, the Cubs will not only run away with the NL Central but could also make a run deep in October.

Cincinnati Reds

Key Addition: Willy Taveras

Taveras was waived the Colorado Rockies this off-season and the Reds swooped in and signed him. Taveras will give the Reds another lead off option to Brandon Phillips. The Reds may want to use Phillips’ power potential down in the order or just move him to second in the order. If Taveras can get on base, he will give the Reds a legitimate 50-steal threat at the top of the order. That speed will wreak havoc on opposing pitchers a lot like Scott Podsednik for the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

Key Players: Joey Votto and Jay Bruce

With the departures of Ken Griffey Jr., and Adam Dunn, Votto and Bruce become the faces of the Reds franchise. They will be staples in the middle of the lineup for years to come in Cincinnati. With that amount of pressure on their shoulders, they need to be able to weather that and still perform up to their talent levels if the Reds want a chance to compete for the NL Central crown.

Player to Watch: Aaron Harang

There is no sugar coding the fact that Aaron Harang had a miserable season last year. He won all of six games last season, which is the least since his first two seasons in the majors. The Reds still have faith in him and he should be able to rebound and perform like he did the previous four seasons where he won double digit games each of those seasons and held an ERA under four in three of those four seasons. If Harang goes back to his normal self, it will also take a lot of pressure off of Edison Volquez and allow him to focus on just pitching and not worrying about being the Ace of the rotation.

Conclusion

The Reds are a team that could be like the Rays last season. They have very good pitching and an offense that can be real dangerous. If the Cubs suffer serious injuries, don’t be surprised to see the Reds taking the NL Central.

St. Louis Cardinals

Key Addition: Khalil Greene

Cesar Izturis, who had a devastating season for the Cardinals, held shortstop last season. Greene will provide the Cardinals a much better option at shortstop, and could have the best season of his career this year. He is getting out of Petco Park which is a hitter’s nightmare and will get to hit at fairly hitter friendly Busch Stadium. Greene could hit between 15-20 home runs for the Cardinals and drive in 70 runs, which will be greatly welcomed from any shortstop but even more so after Izturis hit only one home run and drove in only 24 runs last season.

Key Player: Chris Carpenter

Carpenter has pitched in a combined five games the past two seasons due to having Tommy John Surgery in 2007. The Cardinals hope to get a healthy Carpenter, and if he is healthy he can help sure up the rotation for the Cardinals by winning around 15 games.

Player to Watch: Colby Rasmus

Rasmus will probably be the fourth outfielder for the Cardinals this season but if he gets the opportunity don’t be surprised if he gets a lot of at bats this season. He is a promising prospect who can give the Cardinals double-digit steals and double-digit home runs. If an injury occurs in the St. Louis outfield look for Rasmus to step in and possibly not give up that position.

Conclusion

The offense is in place; the bullpen and the rotation however, are the question marks heading into the season. If the pitching is there, the Cardinals can compete with the Cubs in 2009.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key Addition: Trevor Hoffman

Hoffman is the key addition by default because the Brewers lost more than they gained this off-season. Hoffman, while in the twilight of his career still will give the Brewers a closer to rely on, when he is healthy.

Key Player: Yovani Gallardo

Gallardo steps into the number one slot in the Brewers’ rotation due to the exits of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. Gallardo tore his ACL at the beginning of the season last year but was able to come back at the very end and pitched in a few innings but pitched effectively (ERA of 1.88 for his 4 starts last season). If the Brewers have any hope in contending they need Gallardo to step up and be the Ace of their rotation.

Player to Watch: Corey Hart

Hart entered 2008 as can’t miss player and performed early hitting 15 home runs and stealing 13 bases in the first half. But an injury limited him in the second half to 5 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Look for Hart to perform like the first half last season and play a huge role for the Brewers’ offense this season.

Conclusion

The Brewers lost a lot when they lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets and didn't do much to replace those starters. Their offense will allow them to contend but baseball is a game that comes down to pitching and the Brewers just don’t have enough to contend this season.

Houston Astros

Key Addition: Ivan Rodriguez

This was a late addition for the Astros, finalized just a few weeks ago after Rodriguez’ performance in the World Baseball Classic. Rodriguez will provide a veteran presence for the clubhouse and help pitchers to develop further while providing pretty good offensive numbers.

Key Player: Mike Hampton

Hampton cannot stay healthy; there just is nothing around this fact. If Hampton can step up and start at least 15 games, the Astros should be grateful. If he can start more than 15 games, he might put together a great season for the Astros out of the third slot in the rotation.

Player to Watch: Michael Bourn

Bourn turned 27 in December, which is generally the time that players develop into their full potential. Bourn has an insane amount of speed that can get him 50 steals a season, but he needs to get on base more to display his speed (career OBP of .299). Bourn has the ability to be for the Astros what Willy Taveras was to them in 2005 when they made the World Series.

Conclusion

The Astros have too many question marks heading into the season. The only sure things are that Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee will have solid years, and Hunter Pence will continue to develop into a star.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Key Addition: No one

The Pirates have successfully made themselves worse than last year by not signing or bringing in anyone of any significance.

Key Player: Nate McLouth

McLouth is the best player on the potentially worst team in the majors. He is a 20-20-threat guy and the main reason for Pirates fans to come to PNC Park to watch this team.

Players to Watch: Andy LaRoche and Brandon Moss

Moss came from the Jason Bay trade last summer and is a promising prospect for the Pirates. Moss displays speed and power, and if he can cut down on his strikeouts he could become a solid contributor for the Pirates. The addition of LaRoche brings the LaRoche brothers together to man the corners of the Pirates infield. LaRoche brings a decent amount of speed and a little power too. He hits for a good average and gets on base at a very good rate; he could be a very good potential 2-hole hitter if he continues to perform at this rate.

Conclusion
The Pirates are terrible and won’t contend.