Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 5, 2024 11:59:34 GMT -5
The NL Central has been ferocious at the top for several seasons, but it appears St. Louis has stepped forward as the best team in the division. The Brewers and Cubs are both strong teams with title hopes themselves, while Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are still in long-term rebuilds.
1) St. Louis Cardinals
2032: 110-52, NL Central Champion. Lost to San Diego 4-2 in NLDS.
Who They Were: St. Louis’ bullpen approach led to the team posting the second best ERA in the NL. The offense led the league in homers, slugging, and OPS, using the long ball to post the most runs in the league. The team lost Joe Mills for the playoffs, and hit much better against righties than lefties, leading to an obnoxious loss to San Diego in the NLDS.
Offseason Review: Veteran arms Andre Stinson, Tim Cate, and Joe Ferland have been replaced by two-time AL Reliever of the Year Tim Newbold, plus former World Champion Vlashi Buzoku. Nonie Williams and Yusniel Diaz are elsewhere, with Anwa Ita and Vladimir Guerrero competing to replace Diaz as a right-handed masher.
On the Farm: St. Louis has a bunch of upper minors depth to fill in for injuries, but few prospects. Chad Liby is the only guy in the top 100, but everyone in the organization hates his guts
Best Case Scenario: St. Louis finally puts things together and wins a title.
Worst Case Scenario: Joe Mills goes down again in the playoffs
Key Questions: Who will replace Yusinel Diaz’ spot on the roster?
Your team hit much better against righties than lefties last year. Will you take any steps to have a more balanced construction this year?
2) Milwaukee Brewers
2032: 98-64, 2nd Place NL Central. Lost to San Diego Padres in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: Milwaukee had a great rotation and a better bullpen, but suffered a devastating career-ending loss to Tim Kierstead, weakening them for the playoffs. The offense drew walks and hit homers, but the team struck out too much to be a consistent offensive force and didn’t have a ton of offensive depth. It proved to be their undoing when they only scored a single run in the Wild Card Game in a disappointing 3-1 loss to San Diego.
Offseason Review: Milwaukee didn’t make too many moves this offseason. Luis Garcia, Stee Mulvey, and Steve Eckroat moved on, with Adam Espinoza brought on from Minnesota to play Shortstop, and internal moves made to shore up middle infield depth. Mike Gaylord and Jeff Upton will compete to land the open starter spot vacated by the retiring Kierstead.
On The Farm: It’s not a bad farm given Milwaukee’s been getting weaker draft picks for almost a decade, and hasn’t been a big market team. Stew Morrison should start at Third Base with Nick Rollins hurt. Not a great defender, he has a live bat, can hammer doubles, and brings good speed and baserunning to the table. Pitcher Golder Sanchez has a good two-seamer that shouldn’t be hit hard. He’s still developing his command and should be a year away. He’ll likely be joined by Cordy Veliz, an aggressive swinging lefty, should should slash doubles, leg out triples, and turn singles into doubles with his base-stealing. Don’t expect many homers from him.
Best Case Scenario: The team gives Hawkeye some run support in the playoffs
Worst Case Scenario: The team gets shutout in the Wild Card Game
Key Questions: Some of your prospects are about a year away, and your offense wasn’t elite last year. Do you have the bats to be a playoff threat?
Who will get the fifth starting pitcher spot?
3) Chicago Cubs
2032: 89-73, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs scored the second most runs in the NL, but a disappointing staff, and the erosion of Francisco Lindor kept Chicago just outside the postseason. They squandered an explosive season from Juan Castoreno, who had a .903 OPS, partly because an injury to Isaiah High limited him to just 104 games.
Offseason Review: Hall-of-Famer and Cubs icon Francisco Lindor will spend his first season away from Chicago since 2018. Calvin Mitchell, who had two spectacular seasons with the Cubs, has moved on, essentially replaced by two-way star Raimfer Salinas. Luis Garcia replaces Zack Prajzner as the former Brewer Shortstop on the roster, while Josh Woodward was acquired from Cleveland to give the rotation some more juice. Gilberto Flores will at least be a backup Catcher, if not the main starter.
On The Farm: It’s not a good farm, as the club doesn’t have any impact players in the system. There’s some veteran reliever depth, and Steven Adams could be a nice arm in a few years, but none of the better bats in the system can play defense, leaving them fringy bets to prove more value than they take away.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching comes together and the Cubs are back in the playoffs, maybe even the NLDS.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense takes a small step back, the pitching doesn’t improve, and the Cubs win in the mid 80’s in a brutal National League.
Key Questions: Josh Woodward has been incredibly wild in Cleveland. Do you believe you can compensate for his control issues?
Francisco Lindor still hit well for a middle infielder for you and has so much cachet with his teammates and fans. Were there any thoughts of bringing him back in a smaller role?
4) Cincinnati Reds
2032: 54-108, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds were 13th in runs scored and runs allowed, unsurprisingly leading to a 100-loss season. The team actually finished below its Pythagorean record by seven games, just the fourth time Cincinnati has undershot its triangulated record. Only three hitters were worth more than 1.0 WAR, while the rotation lacked depth. Former top prospect Jason Spencer was a bright spot, hitting for a .785 OPS in just 95 games.
Offseason Review: Cincinnati hasn’t brought in a single player from outside the roster, letting a lot of spare parts go, but also decent arms Vince Dubin and Francisco A. Morales. The Reds should therefore field much of the same cast from 2032, with internal promotions making up some of the depth.
On The Farm: There’s only one Top 100 prospect in the system, last year’s fourth overall pick Smiler Krick. The lefty has a big bat that takes big swings, and should put grins on the faces of Reds fans in a couple of years. The rest of the system is fairly barren, which won’t help Cincinnati’s rebuilding efforts.
Best Case Scenario: Cortez Castaneda and Jason Spencer keep the Reds out of the basement.
Worst Case Scenario: 110 losses with least year’s roster and worse depth
Key Questions: You have a little bit of spending power. How will you use it entering the season?
You’re a 100-loss team with only one Top 100 prospect, plus Jason Spencer as a young, talented Major Leaguer. What steps will you take to get more talent in the system?
5) Pittsburgh Pirates
2032: 53-109, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates had the worst run scoring and run preventing unit in the National League, suffering through a disastrous campaign and their first 100-loss season since 2025. Six hitters had -0.4 WAR or worse, while Dan DeLay, Dave Powell, and Damien Mendoza all were worth less than -1.4 WAR. The team finally got serious about a rebuild, and the results on the field showed it.
Offseason Review: Respectable veterans Jasrado Chisholm, Mark Ward, and Sergio Ochoa were allowed to walk in free agency while only reliever Ian Henry was added from outside the roster. Rookie Yves Da Silva debuted, and earned the nickname puke with a 33 OPS+. There’s some talent on the roster, but it may stay in the minors for a spell as the team builds its talent.
On The Farm: Eddie Rentmeester has big power and a big arm. He may debut with the big club, or spend another year in the minors to not waste an option year. Cotney Shelmadine is in a similar boat as an arm that misses the middle of bats, but has no incentive to be rushed. Eric Carillo has had a season and a half apprenticeship in Triple-A so he may break camp with the big club, but would otherwise qualify as a Top 100 prospect in the upper minors. Kyle Solis has a plus bat, runs well, and may be able to stick at Shortstop. If he progresses, he could be the first Pirates Shortstop with an offensive pulse since—Kevin Newman?
Best Case Scenario: Enough prospects are called up and are good enough to lead Pittsburgh to fourth place.
Worst Case Scenario: 110 Losses.
Key Questions: What will your strategy be with regards to your prospects? Keep them in the minors for another year or start getting them experience?
Damien Mendoza was terrible out of the bullpen last year. Would he be better served in the rotation?
1) St. Louis Cardinals
2032: 110-52, NL Central Champion. Lost to San Diego 4-2 in NLDS.
Who They Were: St. Louis’ bullpen approach led to the team posting the second best ERA in the NL. The offense led the league in homers, slugging, and OPS, using the long ball to post the most runs in the league. The team lost Joe Mills for the playoffs, and hit much better against righties than lefties, leading to an obnoxious loss to San Diego in the NLDS.
Offseason Review: Veteran arms Andre Stinson, Tim Cate, and Joe Ferland have been replaced by two-time AL Reliever of the Year Tim Newbold, plus former World Champion Vlashi Buzoku. Nonie Williams and Yusniel Diaz are elsewhere, with Anwa Ita and Vladimir Guerrero competing to replace Diaz as a right-handed masher.
On the Farm: St. Louis has a bunch of upper minors depth to fill in for injuries, but few prospects. Chad Liby is the only guy in the top 100, but everyone in the organization hates his guts
Best Case Scenario: St. Louis finally puts things together and wins a title.
Worst Case Scenario: Joe Mills goes down again in the playoffs
Key Questions: Who will replace Yusinel Diaz’ spot on the roster?
Your team hit much better against righties than lefties last year. Will you take any steps to have a more balanced construction this year?
2) Milwaukee Brewers
2032: 98-64, 2nd Place NL Central. Lost to San Diego Padres in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: Milwaukee had a great rotation and a better bullpen, but suffered a devastating career-ending loss to Tim Kierstead, weakening them for the playoffs. The offense drew walks and hit homers, but the team struck out too much to be a consistent offensive force and didn’t have a ton of offensive depth. It proved to be their undoing when they only scored a single run in the Wild Card Game in a disappointing 3-1 loss to San Diego.
Offseason Review: Milwaukee didn’t make too many moves this offseason. Luis Garcia, Stee Mulvey, and Steve Eckroat moved on, with Adam Espinoza brought on from Minnesota to play Shortstop, and internal moves made to shore up middle infield depth. Mike Gaylord and Jeff Upton will compete to land the open starter spot vacated by the retiring Kierstead.
On The Farm: It’s not a bad farm given Milwaukee’s been getting weaker draft picks for almost a decade, and hasn’t been a big market team. Stew Morrison should start at Third Base with Nick Rollins hurt. Not a great defender, he has a live bat, can hammer doubles, and brings good speed and baserunning to the table. Pitcher Golder Sanchez has a good two-seamer that shouldn’t be hit hard. He’s still developing his command and should be a year away. He’ll likely be joined by Cordy Veliz, an aggressive swinging lefty, should should slash doubles, leg out triples, and turn singles into doubles with his base-stealing. Don’t expect many homers from him.
Best Case Scenario: The team gives Hawkeye some run support in the playoffs
Worst Case Scenario: The team gets shutout in the Wild Card Game
Key Questions: Some of your prospects are about a year away, and your offense wasn’t elite last year. Do you have the bats to be a playoff threat?
Who will get the fifth starting pitcher spot?
3) Chicago Cubs
2032: 89-73, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs scored the second most runs in the NL, but a disappointing staff, and the erosion of Francisco Lindor kept Chicago just outside the postseason. They squandered an explosive season from Juan Castoreno, who had a .903 OPS, partly because an injury to Isaiah High limited him to just 104 games.
Offseason Review: Hall-of-Famer and Cubs icon Francisco Lindor will spend his first season away from Chicago since 2018. Calvin Mitchell, who had two spectacular seasons with the Cubs, has moved on, essentially replaced by two-way star Raimfer Salinas. Luis Garcia replaces Zack Prajzner as the former Brewer Shortstop on the roster, while Josh Woodward was acquired from Cleveland to give the rotation some more juice. Gilberto Flores will at least be a backup Catcher, if not the main starter.
On The Farm: It’s not a good farm, as the club doesn’t have any impact players in the system. There’s some veteran reliever depth, and Steven Adams could be a nice arm in a few years, but none of the better bats in the system can play defense, leaving them fringy bets to prove more value than they take away.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching comes together and the Cubs are back in the playoffs, maybe even the NLDS.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense takes a small step back, the pitching doesn’t improve, and the Cubs win in the mid 80’s in a brutal National League.
Key Questions: Josh Woodward has been incredibly wild in Cleveland. Do you believe you can compensate for his control issues?
Francisco Lindor still hit well for a middle infielder for you and has so much cachet with his teammates and fans. Were there any thoughts of bringing him back in a smaller role?
4) Cincinnati Reds
2032: 54-108, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds were 13th in runs scored and runs allowed, unsurprisingly leading to a 100-loss season. The team actually finished below its Pythagorean record by seven games, just the fourth time Cincinnati has undershot its triangulated record. Only three hitters were worth more than 1.0 WAR, while the rotation lacked depth. Former top prospect Jason Spencer was a bright spot, hitting for a .785 OPS in just 95 games.
Offseason Review: Cincinnati hasn’t brought in a single player from outside the roster, letting a lot of spare parts go, but also decent arms Vince Dubin and Francisco A. Morales. The Reds should therefore field much of the same cast from 2032, with internal promotions making up some of the depth.
On The Farm: There’s only one Top 100 prospect in the system, last year’s fourth overall pick Smiler Krick. The lefty has a big bat that takes big swings, and should put grins on the faces of Reds fans in a couple of years. The rest of the system is fairly barren, which won’t help Cincinnati’s rebuilding efforts.
Best Case Scenario: Cortez Castaneda and Jason Spencer keep the Reds out of the basement.
Worst Case Scenario: 110 losses with least year’s roster and worse depth
Key Questions: You have a little bit of spending power. How will you use it entering the season?
You’re a 100-loss team with only one Top 100 prospect, plus Jason Spencer as a young, talented Major Leaguer. What steps will you take to get more talent in the system?
5) Pittsburgh Pirates
2032: 53-109, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates had the worst run scoring and run preventing unit in the National League, suffering through a disastrous campaign and their first 100-loss season since 2025. Six hitters had -0.4 WAR or worse, while Dan DeLay, Dave Powell, and Damien Mendoza all were worth less than -1.4 WAR. The team finally got serious about a rebuild, and the results on the field showed it.
Offseason Review: Respectable veterans Jasrado Chisholm, Mark Ward, and Sergio Ochoa were allowed to walk in free agency while only reliever Ian Henry was added from outside the roster. Rookie Yves Da Silva debuted, and earned the nickname puke with a 33 OPS+. There’s some talent on the roster, but it may stay in the minors for a spell as the team builds its talent.
On The Farm: Eddie Rentmeester has big power and a big arm. He may debut with the big club, or spend another year in the minors to not waste an option year. Cotney Shelmadine is in a similar boat as an arm that misses the middle of bats, but has no incentive to be rushed. Eric Carillo has had a season and a half apprenticeship in Triple-A so he may break camp with the big club, but would otherwise qualify as a Top 100 prospect in the upper minors. Kyle Solis has a plus bat, runs well, and may be able to stick at Shortstop. If he progresses, he could be the first Pirates Shortstop with an offensive pulse since—Kevin Newman?
Best Case Scenario: Enough prospects are called up and are good enough to lead Pittsburgh to fourth place.
Worst Case Scenario: 110 Losses.
Key Questions: What will your strategy be with regards to your prospects? Keep them in the minors for another year or start getting them experience?
Damien Mendoza was terrible out of the bullpen last year. Would he be better served in the rotation?
