Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 19, 2021 10:10:31 GMT -5
After a decade of dominance, the Chicago Cubs have ceded the NL Central to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers look like one of the best teams in baseball, while Chicago will hope that with some better health, it's all offense, no-pitching roster can contend for a wild card.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2025: 108-54, NL Central Champions. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in NLDS.
Who They Were: A huge crop of prospects developed and matured, integrating with a decent core and running away from the NL Central. 12 different players had double figures in homers for the Brewers, Hawkeye emerged as a Cy Young contender with a 19-3 record and a 2.60 ERA, and the club had an elite bullpen. Managerial mishaps hurt them in the playoffs against the Dodgers.
Offseason Review: Long time arms Luis Ortiz and Sean Newcomb departed. Ortiz had a down year in 2025, but Newcomb was at the peak of his powers and will need to be replaced. Milwaukee didn’t add much in Free Agency but as a team with a huge quantity of depth, they can add talent internally.
On The Farm: Milwaukee still has a pair of super prospects that haven’t reached the majors. Number nine prospect Mike Gaylord is still working on developing a changeup. If he does, he’s the next in a line of aces for Milwaukee. If he doesn’t, he’ll help continue Milwaukee’s tradition of having elite bullpen talent. Their first rounder for 2024, Nick Rollins, is a could of years away but has huge power potential. Alex Vigil could be up in a couple of seasons as another mid-rotation starter. The upper minors is stocked with useful depth pieces if the Brewers deal with injuries.
Best Case Scenario: Milwaukee pinch hits more liberally in the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: Many Brewers have huge platoon splits. An opponent that leverages that may be able to neutralize Milwaukee in the playoffs as the Dodgers did last postseason.
Key Questions: With so much young talent, do you have any visions of consolidating some of them with a trade for a superstar?
With so many players competing for playing time, one would think your roster would be feuding—but it’s your staff that’s in disharmony. Are you worried about your coaching staff cohesion this year?
2) Chicago Cubs
2025: 78-84, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: After a run of dominance and eight consecutive NL Central Championships, Chicago’s expensive roster got older, many pitchers got hurt, and the defense was abysmal. Despite an exceptional offense, the Cubs had by far their worst season in the PBA with a decimated staff and a lack of pitching depth a main culprit.
Offseason Review: Freddie Freeman and Xander Bogaerts left in free agency and the Cubs did nothing to replace them. Bullpen stalwarts Giovanny Gallegos and Zach Britton also left the team. The Cubs have had a barren farm system for a half decade due to trading all their draft picks and prospects, so it’ll be difficult to replace that talent internally. Chicago has signaled its desire for a rebuild with most of its best players over 30.
On The Farm: Years of neglect have left the Cubs system barren. There are no impact players in the system. There’s some upper-minors pitching depth that could be ready in 2027 to serve as stopgap options, but Chicago will need an infusion in the system to turn their fortunes around.
Best Case Scenario: If the team stays healthy and the defense improves, the Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with their dynamic offense.
Worst Case Scenario: Freeman and Bogaerts aren’t around to help make things look respectable
Key Questions: Who will get your four and five spots in your rotation?
Who will play Second Base for you?
3) Cincinnati Reds
2025: 80-82, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds had their second 80-win season in three years, the first two in their history. They rode an exceptional defense, as they finished fourth in zone rating. J.B. Woodman hit .322 with 31 home runs to fuel their offense, and despite leading the league in home runs allowed for the second straight year, Josh Carlson emerged as a frontline pitcher. Outside of Doug Syversen, their bullpen was rough and they didn’t get much production from their outfield outside of Woodman.
Offseason Review: Wary of Woodman’s out-of-nowhere season, the Reds let him walk in free agency, also letting depth pitchers Juan Parra and Caleb Dirks walk. Steven Duggar was signed to provide some more outfield depth, and Robbie Ross Jr. is on to help boost the pen after a good year in Philadelphia. They didn’t make major changes though, meaning the 2026 squad will look a lot like the 2025 one.
On The Farm: Andrew Knutsen is the headliner, a lefty that gets good lift with his swing and should develop into a big power hitter. He’s several seasons away. Doug Dombrowski looks like a future starting pitcher currently working his way through the mid-minors. There isn’t much top-tier talent otherwise, though there is upper-minors depth if Cincinnati needs to replace injured players and not miss a beat.
Best Case Scenario: The Reds beat up on the weakened division and get to 81 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense really misses Woodman.
Key Questions: Why didn’t you decide to bring back Woodman after the year he had?
Who will be your team’s number five starter this year and why?
4) St. Louis Cardinals
2025: 70-92, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: St. Louis had some offensive talent, a great closer, and no depth, falling to 70-92 despite having an MVP candidate in Nick Pratto. Buster Posey hit .203 with five homers in 104 games. Josh Donaldson hit .168 with five homers in 47. Sandy Alcantara, Sam Tewes, and Francisco F. Rios combined for a 14-29 record with -3.6 WAR in 412.2 innings. Nick Pratto had a .435 on-base percentage with 36 doubles and 30 homers but couldn’t carry the club to more than 70 wins.
Offseason Review: Seeing the struggles and the severe financial issues, Tim Lentz undertook an expansive rebuild, shipping out Pratto and Luis Contreras for a score of draft picks. Daniel Brito, Austin Meadows, Nick Thurman, Alex Reyes, and Michael Bates were all shipped out. Some of the players on more massive contracts remain, but a skeleton crew will surround them as the Cardinals begin to tear down and acquire assets.
On The Farm: It’s a decent system thanks to some of the trades they’ve made. Pitchers Toshiro, Mochizuki, Nate Stephany and Ryan Stanich are very close to contributing at the majors, and there are more arms behind them in the mid-minors. Marty Barrantes was the prize for trading away Daniel Brito and he looks like a future slugger with massive power, though he’ll take a half decade to arrive at the majors. There’s a lot of depth in the upper minors to help St. Louis survive 2026 as well. There isn’t a huge quantity of position player talent in the system, but the Cardinals will have a bunch of extra draft picks to help them restock the talent base.
Best Case Scenario: The Pirates run of futility distracts from St. Louis on-field play.
Worst Case Scenario: The Cardinals lose 103 games.
Key Questions: Who will be your starting outfielders this year and why?
What do you see Josh Weyer’s future becoming?
5) Pittsburgh Pirates
2025: 53-109, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: Mike McAvoy returned to the Pirates midway through the 2024 season and spent much of the 2025 offseason trying to undo the damage caused by Neil Thomas. He was stuck with a barren roster that finished second-to-last in nearly all statistical categories. Alan Ramos had a strong partial season with the club, but the team continues to struggle to develop young talent and the veterans like Yoan Moncada really struggled.
Offseason Review: Kevin Horney retired and Luis Ortiz was signed to replace him in the rotation. Luis Castillo was plucked in the Rule V draft giving the Pirates a young star to build around. Virtually any other improvement for the Pirates has to come internally.
On The Farm: Pittsburgh for the first time in an eternity is starting to build up a good farm. Chris Donelson, last year’s second overall pick, looks like a big time starting pitcher and a quick mover who could be up as soon as later this year. Bad Company Kevin Truitt will likely earn a starting spot right out of Spring Training. Ron Dahl looks like a complete package as a Center Field prospect, and there are good pitching prospects further down like Dave Vasquez and Chris Bennett in High-A. There’s both the high level talent and the depth of talent that could signal a strong period of Pirates baseball.
Best Case Scenario: Castillo holds his own and Yoan Moncada rebounds into a positive player again. If Moncada hits .250 and the young players develop, the Pirates can avoid 100 losses.
Worst Case Scenario: If Moncada falters, there’s a severe lack of talent in the majors among position players, plus the bullpen will be one of the worst in baseball. There may be 110 losses with the roster.
Key Questions: What will be your starting outfield this season and why?
Will we see Donelson in the majors this year?
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2025: 108-54, NL Central Champions. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in NLDS.
Who They Were: A huge crop of prospects developed and matured, integrating with a decent core and running away from the NL Central. 12 different players had double figures in homers for the Brewers, Hawkeye emerged as a Cy Young contender with a 19-3 record and a 2.60 ERA, and the club had an elite bullpen. Managerial mishaps hurt them in the playoffs against the Dodgers.
Offseason Review: Long time arms Luis Ortiz and Sean Newcomb departed. Ortiz had a down year in 2025, but Newcomb was at the peak of his powers and will need to be replaced. Milwaukee didn’t add much in Free Agency but as a team with a huge quantity of depth, they can add talent internally.
On The Farm: Milwaukee still has a pair of super prospects that haven’t reached the majors. Number nine prospect Mike Gaylord is still working on developing a changeup. If he does, he’s the next in a line of aces for Milwaukee. If he doesn’t, he’ll help continue Milwaukee’s tradition of having elite bullpen talent. Their first rounder for 2024, Nick Rollins, is a could of years away but has huge power potential. Alex Vigil could be up in a couple of seasons as another mid-rotation starter. The upper minors is stocked with useful depth pieces if the Brewers deal with injuries.
Best Case Scenario: Milwaukee pinch hits more liberally in the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: Many Brewers have huge platoon splits. An opponent that leverages that may be able to neutralize Milwaukee in the playoffs as the Dodgers did last postseason.
Key Questions: With so much young talent, do you have any visions of consolidating some of them with a trade for a superstar?
With so many players competing for playing time, one would think your roster would be feuding—but it’s your staff that’s in disharmony. Are you worried about your coaching staff cohesion this year?
2) Chicago Cubs
2025: 78-84, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: After a run of dominance and eight consecutive NL Central Championships, Chicago’s expensive roster got older, many pitchers got hurt, and the defense was abysmal. Despite an exceptional offense, the Cubs had by far their worst season in the PBA with a decimated staff and a lack of pitching depth a main culprit.
Offseason Review: Freddie Freeman and Xander Bogaerts left in free agency and the Cubs did nothing to replace them. Bullpen stalwarts Giovanny Gallegos and Zach Britton also left the team. The Cubs have had a barren farm system for a half decade due to trading all their draft picks and prospects, so it’ll be difficult to replace that talent internally. Chicago has signaled its desire for a rebuild with most of its best players over 30.
On The Farm: Years of neglect have left the Cubs system barren. There are no impact players in the system. There’s some upper-minors pitching depth that could be ready in 2027 to serve as stopgap options, but Chicago will need an infusion in the system to turn their fortunes around.
Best Case Scenario: If the team stays healthy and the defense improves, the Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with their dynamic offense.
Worst Case Scenario: Freeman and Bogaerts aren’t around to help make things look respectable
Key Questions: Who will get your four and five spots in your rotation?
Who will play Second Base for you?
3) Cincinnati Reds
2025: 80-82, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds had their second 80-win season in three years, the first two in their history. They rode an exceptional defense, as they finished fourth in zone rating. J.B. Woodman hit .322 with 31 home runs to fuel their offense, and despite leading the league in home runs allowed for the second straight year, Josh Carlson emerged as a frontline pitcher. Outside of Doug Syversen, their bullpen was rough and they didn’t get much production from their outfield outside of Woodman.
Offseason Review: Wary of Woodman’s out-of-nowhere season, the Reds let him walk in free agency, also letting depth pitchers Juan Parra and Caleb Dirks walk. Steven Duggar was signed to provide some more outfield depth, and Robbie Ross Jr. is on to help boost the pen after a good year in Philadelphia. They didn’t make major changes though, meaning the 2026 squad will look a lot like the 2025 one.
On The Farm: Andrew Knutsen is the headliner, a lefty that gets good lift with his swing and should develop into a big power hitter. He’s several seasons away. Doug Dombrowski looks like a future starting pitcher currently working his way through the mid-minors. There isn’t much top-tier talent otherwise, though there is upper-minors depth if Cincinnati needs to replace injured players and not miss a beat.
Best Case Scenario: The Reds beat up on the weakened division and get to 81 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense really misses Woodman.
Key Questions: Why didn’t you decide to bring back Woodman after the year he had?
Who will be your team’s number five starter this year and why?
4) St. Louis Cardinals
2025: 70-92, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: St. Louis had some offensive talent, a great closer, and no depth, falling to 70-92 despite having an MVP candidate in Nick Pratto. Buster Posey hit .203 with five homers in 104 games. Josh Donaldson hit .168 with five homers in 47. Sandy Alcantara, Sam Tewes, and Francisco F. Rios combined for a 14-29 record with -3.6 WAR in 412.2 innings. Nick Pratto had a .435 on-base percentage with 36 doubles and 30 homers but couldn’t carry the club to more than 70 wins.
Offseason Review: Seeing the struggles and the severe financial issues, Tim Lentz undertook an expansive rebuild, shipping out Pratto and Luis Contreras for a score of draft picks. Daniel Brito, Austin Meadows, Nick Thurman, Alex Reyes, and Michael Bates were all shipped out. Some of the players on more massive contracts remain, but a skeleton crew will surround them as the Cardinals begin to tear down and acquire assets.
On The Farm: It’s a decent system thanks to some of the trades they’ve made. Pitchers Toshiro, Mochizuki, Nate Stephany and Ryan Stanich are very close to contributing at the majors, and there are more arms behind them in the mid-minors. Marty Barrantes was the prize for trading away Daniel Brito and he looks like a future slugger with massive power, though he’ll take a half decade to arrive at the majors. There’s a lot of depth in the upper minors to help St. Louis survive 2026 as well. There isn’t a huge quantity of position player talent in the system, but the Cardinals will have a bunch of extra draft picks to help them restock the talent base.
Best Case Scenario: The Pirates run of futility distracts from St. Louis on-field play.
Worst Case Scenario: The Cardinals lose 103 games.
Key Questions: Who will be your starting outfielders this year and why?
What do you see Josh Weyer’s future becoming?
5) Pittsburgh Pirates
2025: 53-109, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: Mike McAvoy returned to the Pirates midway through the 2024 season and spent much of the 2025 offseason trying to undo the damage caused by Neil Thomas. He was stuck with a barren roster that finished second-to-last in nearly all statistical categories. Alan Ramos had a strong partial season with the club, but the team continues to struggle to develop young talent and the veterans like Yoan Moncada really struggled.
Offseason Review: Kevin Horney retired and Luis Ortiz was signed to replace him in the rotation. Luis Castillo was plucked in the Rule V draft giving the Pirates a young star to build around. Virtually any other improvement for the Pirates has to come internally.
On The Farm: Pittsburgh for the first time in an eternity is starting to build up a good farm. Chris Donelson, last year’s second overall pick, looks like a big time starting pitcher and a quick mover who could be up as soon as later this year. Bad Company Kevin Truitt will likely earn a starting spot right out of Spring Training. Ron Dahl looks like a complete package as a Center Field prospect, and there are good pitching prospects further down like Dave Vasquez and Chris Bennett in High-A. There’s both the high level talent and the depth of talent that could signal a strong period of Pirates baseball.
Best Case Scenario: Castillo holds his own and Yoan Moncada rebounds into a positive player again. If Moncada hits .250 and the young players develop, the Pirates can avoid 100 losses.
Worst Case Scenario: If Moncada falters, there’s a severe lack of talent in the majors among position players, plus the bullpen will be one of the worst in baseball. There may be 110 losses with the roster.
Key Questions: What will be your starting outfield this season and why?
Will we see Donelson in the majors this year?
