As we switch leagues, the division by division preview continues.
1. Milwaukee Brewers - 94-68
No bias here - the Brewers are ready to rock. With a completely re-amped rotation, a great new coach, and another solid offense, they are definite pennant contenders. In December the crew picked up durable righty Shaun Marcum, who had an ERA of 3.64 in the toughest division in baseball. Now, as he matures and switches to a somewhat weak NL Central, he should rack up innings and have a low ERA. The Brewers got rid of their top prospect in Brett Lawrie in that trade, but Weeks is already a great 2B to take his space.
Macha was gone and Marcum was here, and the crew was having an impressive offseason. Not to mention the pickup of solid SU Takashi Saito which greatly improves any bullpen. The next trade would completely alter the team, though. Zack Grienke and Yuniesky Betancourt for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odiorzi, and Jermey Jeffress. The last 2 names don't really matter, but Cain and Escobar were both top notch prospects. but an ace is worth it, and now that's 2 aces for the crew, along with Gallardo. Sure, he's injured, but he will rebound and have a solid year.
Yuniesky Betancourt is arguably the worst defensive player in the bigs. "In 200 years, kids will sit around the campfire and sing about how bad Yuniesky Betancourt was" (SI). That about describes it. He'll hit .240 at best, and his defense is a liability, along with Weeks and fielder. The infield is the weakest defensively in the bigs, which is a problem, but can the offense overdo the problems of the D?
Braun-Fielder-McGehee is one of the best 3-4-5 punches in baseball, and Weeks is a solid 20-20 leadoff. Their offense shouldn't be much of a problem. With a great rotation and offense, the Brewers should make the playoffs.
2. Cincinati Reds - 92-70 (NL Wild Card)
A new star emerged in Joey Votto last year, and the Reds had a great year. After a series of aggressive fights with the Cardinals, they easily clinched the division in walk-off fashion. This year, they are just as good, if not better. Aroldis Chapman is a phenomenal relief pitcher, Votto, Bruce, Stubs, and Phillips make a solid lineup. Rookie star Travis Wood is great when he beats injuries, and Cueto and Arroyo make a solid rotation with him. They do have a lot of holes, though, like a 3rd outfield spot with pretty much no one good to fill, and an rotten bullpen (besides Chapman). Also, if Wood is hurt, the Rotation is not-so-great. The Reds are solid, but not as good as the Crew. A solid NL Wild card.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - 83-81
Wainwright's gone, ouch. He's a stud, one of the most valuable players in the NL. Pujols is good, and when Carpenter is healthy he is also. Jamie Garcia could have a good sophomore year, and Yadier Molina is one of the best fielding catchers of all time. The problems for the Cardinals are really bad though, and I will be following them closely. LaRusa's team has dreadful chemistry, and Wainwrights leadership will be missed. Last year's fight with the Reds was brutal, and there have been several bench clearing brawls in this Spring Training already. Plus, the team has a rough bullpen, and a tough division above (but not bellow, as you are about to see).
4. Pittsburgh Pirates - 72-90
You are seeing it right, and I'm not doing this to bash the Cubs. The Pirates aren't the total laughing stock anymore. Tabata is in the bigs, and lots of high draft picks emerging. McCutchen could start in the All-Star game. They are not good, not at all, but they are much better than last year. Work on the rotation, Clint, and you COULD have a decent team in a couple of years.
5. Houston Astros - 69-93
NO OFFENSE. Let me repeat it, this time without the caps - no offense. Besides inconsistent Pence, and washed up Carlos Lee, offense is not existent in Houston. Bourn can steal, and the rotation is also half-way decent, but no offense besides the little bit, I guess.
Wait, am I missing a team? I am looking at championships but I'm having trouble finding another team in the NL Central. Then again, I'm looking in the past 102 years.
6. Chicago Cubs - 60-102
Okay, so I was kidding. The Cubs with their current team would be more like low 70's in wins, with an average offseason (like Garza, hate Pena). They are having in-team fights (probably frustrated from having to endure the pain of being a cub). I think Zambrano will be great, but the lineup is really rotten. Marmol is ok, but the rest of the bullpen is not. Also, the Cubs have underperformed for 103 years. So, it's a safe bet the Cubbies will avoid the playoffs yet another year. The boo-birds and the Bleacher Bums will cry at dirty Wrigly field yet another year.
A Brew Crew advantage you did not list - speed. Roenicke is aggressive on the base paths and they will be running this year. I worry that the defense will be a big enough liability that we will lose games. Hopefully no more than Trevor lost us last year. You might see Dickerson for Gomez in CF if Gomez does not hit. You also might see a different SS if Yuniesky does not hit or field. I wonder if Gomez could SS?
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