Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 26, 2023 18:48:09 GMT -5
The NL Central has been dominated by the Brewers for years. Last year's Brew Crew failed in the postseason for the first time since 2026 though, while the rest of the division fell short of expectations as well. This year will feature increased expectations, especially for the Brewers, Cardinals, and Pirates, to not have consecutive setbacks.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2029: 114-48, NL East Champions. Lost to San Francisco 4-3 in NLDS
Who They Were: A juggernaut, Milwaukee won 114 games last year, their fourth straight season with at least 112 wins, and fifth straight year with at least 108. The Brewers led the league in homers and runs scored, and led the league in ERA, but their pitching failed in the playoffs. After going up on San Francisco 3-1 in the NLDS, Mike Arnold allowed five runs in 6 innings in Game 5’s 14-inning loss, and Brandon Andexler couldn’t make it out of the second inning in their Game 7 defeat.
Offseason Review: The Brewers didn’t make many changes in the offseason, keeping their juggernaut in place. Quadir Murriel was a little redundant and was swapped for Danny Weatherwax. Blayne Enlow and Matt Aceto also have left.
On The Farm: Aaron Benitez is definitely a slugger, and nominally a Catcher. He’s got the bat to play in the PBA already, but Luke Grimmelbein may prefer a more sound defender with all the sluggers they have already. Roy Montgomery should break camp with the team as their next big starting pitcher, while Cookie Downen looks like a premier outfielder currently in High-A. There are a ton of Catching prospects throughout the systems, and back-end starter types who can provide depth or roster filling in future years if Milwaukee needs to save money.
Best Case Scenario: Milwaukee romps through the regular season and postseason, winning a third title in four years.
Worst Case Scenario: San Francisco has built a bigger monster.
Key Questions: Aaron Benitez may be your best offensive Catcher already, but he looks like a poor defender. What will his role be this year?
Your bullpen doesn’t seem as untouchable as prior versions. Are you concerned about your pen this year?
2) St. Louis Cardinals
2029: 92-70, 2nd Place NL Central.
Who They Were: The Cardinals missed at least a play-in game to make the postseason by a single win. Their strategy of a completely fluid pitching staff with few assigned starting pitchers led to the team posting the second best ERA in the league. The offense struggled though, with veterans Nomar Mazara, and Ozzie Albies struggling, and Joe Mills hurt for half the year. The disappointing offense cost the Cardinals a playoff appearance
Offseason Review: Unproductive vets Mazara and Albies are gone as is Patrick Leonard. Luis Detres was traded as St. Louis leans in fully to a mix-and-match staff with no assigned starting pitchers. Alan Mitchell, Juan Vega, and Isaiah High are on board to try to give the Cardinals the bats to match the arms.
On The Farm: They aren’t close, but the Cardinals have an elite farm. Pitcher Adam McGurk is the game’s best prospect and 2028 second rounder Andy Stewart looks like a star. Stanley Newman and Emil Marks have the chance to be difference-making arms if Marks can recover from rotator cuff surgery.
Best Case Scenario: Star hitters hit like star hitters and the Cardinals make the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching strategy doesn’t work and the team slips to third in the division.
Key Questions: You have a bunch of new offensive talent this year. What makes you think they’ll succeed where last year’s crop failed?
Who starts for you at Shortstop this season, and why?
3) Pittsburgh Pirates
2029: 75-87, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The positive momentum from 2028 evaporated in a disappointing 2029. The team’s defense sabotaged a starting staff that wasn’t as good as advertised, and too many outfielders like Ron Dahl, Luis Tapia, and Jim Boehne didn’t hit like the Pirates needed them to.
Offseason Review: Feeling a money crunch, the Pirates were forced to trade away Juan Vega, who was good for them last year, and Mounds Ramos, who wasn’t. Chris Myers will try to step into the First Base role, while Jim Boehne is the early candidate to DH. A young, talented staff has been given a year of experience and may make a leap.
On The Farm: Recent callups have left the cupboard dry. The next round of talent exists, but it’s an eternity away. Trevor Odom looks like a huge slugger, but will need reps in the low minors first. Gus Huerta looks like a solid bat, but he’s still learning how to be a Catcher. Wilson Dojterro looks like a decent arm, but he’s at least two seasons away. The Pirates will need to play out this roster for the next couple years unless they make radical changes.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching pushes Pittsburgh into second place.
Worst Case Scenario: A dreary offense leaves them 72-90.
Key Questions: The defense hurt your staff last year. Have you tried to improve it this season?
Dahl and Tapia haven’t taken a step forward maybe that you expected. How do you get them to perform a little bit better, or have you soured on them?
4) Cincinnati Reds
2029: 70-92, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates were a dreadful pitching team with Olaf Kohn and Mitch Cavanagh turning in respectable years and the rest of the club vomiting against a wall. The team hit reasonably well with Vinny Escudero having a rebound season, Andrew Knutsen developing nicely, and Kenny Hernandez having a nice campaign at Shortstop. There were definite holes in the lineup too, though, with Mike Wright striking out his average .196, and Jim Mashburn turning in a .619 OPS as a DH.
Offseason Review: Steve Cox 2 has taken over and has holes to fill. Hernandez and Cavanagh were lost in free agency, with Amin Valdez and Matt Cleveland brought in as cheap replacement options. Brendan Tinsmann gives the team some two-way play behind the plate as well with Tomoya Mori’s career winding down.
On The Farm: A decent farm, but not an elite one, the Reds do have talent in the mid-minors. Robbie Heinichin was the fifth overall pick last year and looks like a promising arm that can move quickly, with Bill Koehler and Nicholas Lieberman profiling as back end arms. Terence Lucas is the best hitter, a speedy player with a quick bat that’s still putting on muscle. He has an earlier ETA than the rest of the crop and could arrive this year.
Best Case Scenario: The team avoids the cellar.
Worst Case Scenario: Cincinnati’s defense drags them to 100 losses.
Key Questions: The Reds were a rough defensive team last season, particularly at Shortstop. Do you think you’ve improved that area?
What role will Tomoya Mori play this year? You have a few Catchers and he doesn’t hit well enough for First Base. Is he a threat to be cut?
5) Chicago Cubs
2029: 63-99, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs put together a reasonable pitching staff for the first time in an eternity, but the team didn’t hit. Francisco Lindor was hurt for a significant amount of time for the first time in his career and Chicago’s offense cratered as a result. T.J. McDonald, Keibert Ruiz, Yoan Moncada, Sean Campbell, Dereje Masamba, and Lazara Armenteros all had at least 250 at bats and an OPS+ of 71 or lower. Andres Cordero only had 211 at bats, but managed a 38 OPS+. With such poor hitting, the team was lucky to escape 100 losses.
Offseason Review: Francisco Lindor and Kris Bryant come off the books in a season, so Chicago held steady waiting one more year to make major moves. Bobby Sheeley was claimed on waivers from the Giants after a successful year supporting their World Championship run. Matt Perry was claimed on waivers from the Mets and can slot into Third Base, manning Shortstop when Lindor needs a break. Sandor van Herwaarden gives the club another option at Catcher. With only Tim Harris, and Willi Castro departing, the team should look similar to its 2029 edition.
On The Farm: Chicago is still building its farm after having it barren for nearly a decade. There still isn’t too much talent, but the top prospects look terrific and should move quickly. Jose Arguello was the number 12 pick in 2029 and had a successful stint in Short-A. He looks like a big offensive outfielder, and as a college bat he should move quickly. Joining him is his UCL teammate Bernie Templet, who also conquered Short-A and will join Arguello in South Bend. Chad Antoine should push Arguello to the corners as he’s expected to man Center Field in South Bend this year. He runs well, fields well, and has big power. Ronald Buckby hit well in Double-A last year and it well in the WBC for Australia in the preseason, and should bring his big arm and big power to the majors no later than next season.
Best Case Scenario: Francisco Lindor has a wonderful final year in a wonderful career for the Cubs
Worst Case Scenario: Oops, Kris Bryant extension
Key Questions: Yoan Moncada was dreadful last year, but is also still under contract. Will he start at Second Base this year or will Chris Berardelli get the nod?
Will Ronald Buckley play for you this year, or will you bring him along slowly?
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2029: 114-48, NL East Champions. Lost to San Francisco 4-3 in NLDS
Who They Were: A juggernaut, Milwaukee won 114 games last year, their fourth straight season with at least 112 wins, and fifth straight year with at least 108. The Brewers led the league in homers and runs scored, and led the league in ERA, but their pitching failed in the playoffs. After going up on San Francisco 3-1 in the NLDS, Mike Arnold allowed five runs in 6 innings in Game 5’s 14-inning loss, and Brandon Andexler couldn’t make it out of the second inning in their Game 7 defeat.
Offseason Review: The Brewers didn’t make many changes in the offseason, keeping their juggernaut in place. Quadir Murriel was a little redundant and was swapped for Danny Weatherwax. Blayne Enlow and Matt Aceto also have left.
On The Farm: Aaron Benitez is definitely a slugger, and nominally a Catcher. He’s got the bat to play in the PBA already, but Luke Grimmelbein may prefer a more sound defender with all the sluggers they have already. Roy Montgomery should break camp with the team as their next big starting pitcher, while Cookie Downen looks like a premier outfielder currently in High-A. There are a ton of Catching prospects throughout the systems, and back-end starter types who can provide depth or roster filling in future years if Milwaukee needs to save money.
Best Case Scenario: Milwaukee romps through the regular season and postseason, winning a third title in four years.
Worst Case Scenario: San Francisco has built a bigger monster.
Key Questions: Aaron Benitez may be your best offensive Catcher already, but he looks like a poor defender. What will his role be this year?
Your bullpen doesn’t seem as untouchable as prior versions. Are you concerned about your pen this year?
2) St. Louis Cardinals
2029: 92-70, 2nd Place NL Central.
Who They Were: The Cardinals missed at least a play-in game to make the postseason by a single win. Their strategy of a completely fluid pitching staff with few assigned starting pitchers led to the team posting the second best ERA in the league. The offense struggled though, with veterans Nomar Mazara, and Ozzie Albies struggling, and Joe Mills hurt for half the year. The disappointing offense cost the Cardinals a playoff appearance
Offseason Review: Unproductive vets Mazara and Albies are gone as is Patrick Leonard. Luis Detres was traded as St. Louis leans in fully to a mix-and-match staff with no assigned starting pitchers. Alan Mitchell, Juan Vega, and Isaiah High are on board to try to give the Cardinals the bats to match the arms.
On The Farm: They aren’t close, but the Cardinals have an elite farm. Pitcher Adam McGurk is the game’s best prospect and 2028 second rounder Andy Stewart looks like a star. Stanley Newman and Emil Marks have the chance to be difference-making arms if Marks can recover from rotator cuff surgery.
Best Case Scenario: Star hitters hit like star hitters and the Cardinals make the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching strategy doesn’t work and the team slips to third in the division.
Key Questions: You have a bunch of new offensive talent this year. What makes you think they’ll succeed where last year’s crop failed?
Who starts for you at Shortstop this season, and why?
3) Pittsburgh Pirates
2029: 75-87, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The positive momentum from 2028 evaporated in a disappointing 2029. The team’s defense sabotaged a starting staff that wasn’t as good as advertised, and too many outfielders like Ron Dahl, Luis Tapia, and Jim Boehne didn’t hit like the Pirates needed them to.
Offseason Review: Feeling a money crunch, the Pirates were forced to trade away Juan Vega, who was good for them last year, and Mounds Ramos, who wasn’t. Chris Myers will try to step into the First Base role, while Jim Boehne is the early candidate to DH. A young, talented staff has been given a year of experience and may make a leap.
On The Farm: Recent callups have left the cupboard dry. The next round of talent exists, but it’s an eternity away. Trevor Odom looks like a huge slugger, but will need reps in the low minors first. Gus Huerta looks like a solid bat, but he’s still learning how to be a Catcher. Wilson Dojterro looks like a decent arm, but he’s at least two seasons away. The Pirates will need to play out this roster for the next couple years unless they make radical changes.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching pushes Pittsburgh into second place.
Worst Case Scenario: A dreary offense leaves them 72-90.
Key Questions: The defense hurt your staff last year. Have you tried to improve it this season?
Dahl and Tapia haven’t taken a step forward maybe that you expected. How do you get them to perform a little bit better, or have you soured on them?
4) Cincinnati Reds
2029: 70-92, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates were a dreadful pitching team with Olaf Kohn and Mitch Cavanagh turning in respectable years and the rest of the club vomiting against a wall. The team hit reasonably well with Vinny Escudero having a rebound season, Andrew Knutsen developing nicely, and Kenny Hernandez having a nice campaign at Shortstop. There were definite holes in the lineup too, though, with Mike Wright striking out his average .196, and Jim Mashburn turning in a .619 OPS as a DH.
Offseason Review: Steve Cox 2 has taken over and has holes to fill. Hernandez and Cavanagh were lost in free agency, with Amin Valdez and Matt Cleveland brought in as cheap replacement options. Brendan Tinsmann gives the team some two-way play behind the plate as well with Tomoya Mori’s career winding down.
On The Farm: A decent farm, but not an elite one, the Reds do have talent in the mid-minors. Robbie Heinichin was the fifth overall pick last year and looks like a promising arm that can move quickly, with Bill Koehler and Nicholas Lieberman profiling as back end arms. Terence Lucas is the best hitter, a speedy player with a quick bat that’s still putting on muscle. He has an earlier ETA than the rest of the crop and could arrive this year.
Best Case Scenario: The team avoids the cellar.
Worst Case Scenario: Cincinnati’s defense drags them to 100 losses.
Key Questions: The Reds were a rough defensive team last season, particularly at Shortstop. Do you think you’ve improved that area?
What role will Tomoya Mori play this year? You have a few Catchers and he doesn’t hit well enough for First Base. Is he a threat to be cut?
5) Chicago Cubs
2029: 63-99, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs put together a reasonable pitching staff for the first time in an eternity, but the team didn’t hit. Francisco Lindor was hurt for a significant amount of time for the first time in his career and Chicago’s offense cratered as a result. T.J. McDonald, Keibert Ruiz, Yoan Moncada, Sean Campbell, Dereje Masamba, and Lazara Armenteros all had at least 250 at bats and an OPS+ of 71 or lower. Andres Cordero only had 211 at bats, but managed a 38 OPS+. With such poor hitting, the team was lucky to escape 100 losses.
Offseason Review: Francisco Lindor and Kris Bryant come off the books in a season, so Chicago held steady waiting one more year to make major moves. Bobby Sheeley was claimed on waivers from the Giants after a successful year supporting their World Championship run. Matt Perry was claimed on waivers from the Mets and can slot into Third Base, manning Shortstop when Lindor needs a break. Sandor van Herwaarden gives the club another option at Catcher. With only Tim Harris, and Willi Castro departing, the team should look similar to its 2029 edition.
On The Farm: Chicago is still building its farm after having it barren for nearly a decade. There still isn’t too much talent, but the top prospects look terrific and should move quickly. Jose Arguello was the number 12 pick in 2029 and had a successful stint in Short-A. He looks like a big offensive outfielder, and as a college bat he should move quickly. Joining him is his UCL teammate Bernie Templet, who also conquered Short-A and will join Arguello in South Bend. Chad Antoine should push Arguello to the corners as he’s expected to man Center Field in South Bend this year. He runs well, fields well, and has big power. Ronald Buckby hit well in Double-A last year and it well in the WBC for Australia in the preseason, and should bring his big arm and big power to the majors no later than next season.
Best Case Scenario: Francisco Lindor has a wonderful final year in a wonderful career for the Cubs
Worst Case Scenario: Oops, Kris Bryant extension
Key Questions: Yoan Moncada was dreadful last year, but is also still under contract. Will he start at Second Base this year or will Chris Berardelli get the nod?
Will Ronald Buckley play for you this year, or will you bring him along slowly?
