Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 14, 2019 8:55:41 GMT -5
After a down year in which they still won the division, the Chicago Cubs should once again be the class of the NL Central, fielding perhaps the game's scariest lineup. St. Louis is poised to challenge for a wild card, while the other three teams fight for third.
1) Chicago Cubs
2021: 96-66, NL Central Champion. Defeated LA Dodgers 4-1 in NLDS. Lost to Washington 4-2 in NLCS.
Who They Were: The Cubs built an offensive powerhouse, but it wasn't as good as Washington's, nor did they have the pitching staff to compensate. They soared in the second half to an easy division crown, but an imbalanced lineup left them vulnerable to good right-handed pitching. Washington exploited that weakness in the NLCS.
Offseason Review: With Anthony Rizzo and Yoenis Cespedes off the team's books, Chicago was able to aim high and brought on Alex Bregman, Giancarlo Stanton, and Manny Machado. Miguel Cabrera and Steven Souza Jr. were also signed, giving the Cubs a potent offense against lefties. There are still issues against right-handed pitching, but Bregman and Machado were All-Stars last year and have a base competence against right-handed arms. Lefties should get pulverized. The staff was also overhauled, with Chris Sale, Chris Tillman, and Jake Arrieta elsewhere. Steven Matz, Sonny Gray, and Jesse Hahn are on board, all talented, experienced arms who have tasted postseason success.
On the Farm: There's not much there, aside from fifth-outfielders who can play some defense this season. Outside of some relief arms, there's not much in the lower minors either. Unless Chicago trades from their big league staff, their major league roster now is what they'll roll out with all year. They don't have the system to provide reinforcements internally or to trade for someone external.
Best Case Scenario: The offense and defense are terrific and the team outslugs the Nationals in the NLCS.
Worst Case Scenario: An outfielder gets hurt and their lack of left-handed bats sees them lose a playoff slugfest.
Key Questions: How will the Cubs fare against right-handed pitching? The team skews hard to the right-side. Are you worried that will be a problem?
You added a lot of talent this offseason. Do you believe you have a better offense than Washington's?
2) St. Louis Cardinals
2021: 83-79, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: St. Louis made several big free agency splashes, improving their roster from a team that lost 103 games in 2020 to an 83-win unit last year. Steve Bennett stayed the full season, adding stability to a situation that saw the Cardinals with six managers their first four-plus years. Josh Donaldson rebounded from a disappointing 2020 to smash 38 home runs.
Offseason Review: Addison Russell, two-time third-place finisher in MVP voting, was signed this offseason giving St. Louis a dynamite left side of the diamond. With prospects Nick Pratto and Anderson Cosma expected to improve on respectable rookie seasons, the Cardinals should have a very healthy offense. The pitching staff doesn't have any superstars, but should be solid enough to support a playoff push.
On the Farm: Pratto and Cosma have graduated out of prospect status, making the Cardinals system light on position players in the upper minors. There could be some pitchers who can make a difference though, including Luis Contreras, a flamethrowing Dominican who spent time on their National team in the WBC. Jean Ruiz and Kumar Rocker could nudge their way into starting pitching plans, especially should injuries arise.
Best Case Scenario: The youngsters grow, Joc Pederson improves his second season in St. Louis as Josh Donaldson did, and the stars carry the Cardinals to 91 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The youngsters don't develop and Donaldson takes a step back as the Cardinals lose more than they win.
Key Questions: Ildemaro Vargas had a nice season last year with 15 steals in 15 attempts, a .299 average, and at last 13 starts at each infield position. Will he start this year, or will your signings relegate him to a utility player?
Do you feel like you have a pitching staff capable of making it to the playoffs this season?
3) Cincinnati Reds
2021: 78-84, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: Cincinnati's 78 wins were the most in their history, as Shedric Long's unbelievable 38-home run season fueled a team that finished fourth in the league in home runs. The team's pitching wasn't great and the Reds didn't draw walks, but their power had them playing competitive baseball for the first time in the PBA.
Offseason Review: Cincinnati added to its pitching staff by signing Diamondbacks hero Kevin Gausman, before promptly losing him for the season. The talented offense remains, but Cincinnati didn't make any other moves to improve their staff, which puts a damper on their outlook.
On the Farm: A pair of exciting prospects are making their way into the upper minors. "Mad Bum" Josh Carlson, named that way because of his exceptional cutter/slider repertoire from the left side, has carved up A-Ball since being drafted sixth overall in 2020. He may be a year away, but he's close. Xavier Edwards tore up the Florida State League last year, and the ninth overall pick in 2018 is knocking on the door. Edwards may be able to help the Reds as early as this year.
Best Case Scenario: Shedric Long proves he's for real, Wil Myers improves his average to .250, and the Reds make a small step to 80 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The staff is the worst in the league and the Reds lose 90 games again.
Key Questions: Between Paul deJong, Corey Seager, and Xavier Edwards, who is the odd man out there?
You have a lot of candidates for right field right now. How will you parse out time for Alex Destino, Skye Bolt, and George Springer this season?
4) Pittsburgh Pirates
2021: 74-88, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: Pittsburgh's payroll was bloated as the team was forced to carry a lot of dead money. Their stars produced, but Andrew Stevenson and Keith Holcombe combined to put up -3.0 WAR. The Pirates, so consistent in producing high-average, low-power offenses in the past, saw its batting average dip to sixth, torpedoing that strategy. The pitching staff, meanwhile, was an abomination.
Offseason Review: This will be a transition year as the team fends off budget penalties this season. The Pirates let some of its bit pieces go in free agency, and replaced Austin Meadows with Max Kepler, getting a prospect in the deal in Jordan Groshans. The Pirates can stand pat and have options heading into 2024, or they can tear down with their best players approaching free agency. The likely won't be contending for a playoff spot.
On the Farm: It's a respectable system, but won't help the team much in the short-term. Tyler Freeman and Jordan Groshans give the team a strong presence up the middle, but both players need a few years to develop. Thierno Danno and "Bad Company" Kevin Truitt are each getting good marks from prospects, but each is in the low minors. It's a good collection for a few years down the road, but none should make an impact for a couple of seasons.
Best Case Scenario: 2020 Gerrit Cole leads the team into the upper 70s.
Worst Case Scenario: 2021 Gerrit Cole facilitates a teardown.
Key Questions: What's your general outlook for the team? There are some nice players, but many are entering free agency this year. Will you base your future on how the season goes or get ahead of a rebuild?
With a number of options, who will start at second base and shortstop for you this season?
5) Milwaukee Brewers
2021: 63-99, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: After a number of minor moves to shore up weaknesses, the team crashed hard early and Vic Black grew despondent. The team drifted aimlessly, needing to go 7-3 in its final 10 games to avoid taking 100 losses.
Offseason Review: Luke Grimmelbein took over managerial responsibilities infusing the team with optimism. He hasn't made any major changes to the big league roster aside from letting some middling second basemen go and picking up some players in the Rule 5 Draft. Wilson Ramos was brought in as catcher, as the free agent "splash."
On the Farm: There are some major prospects on the team, but they're all an eternity away. Scruffy Andexler, Tim Kierstead, Rodolfo Rivera, and Zack Prajzner haven't made it out of Rookie Ball yet, with Milwaukee's other big-potential prospects all under the legal drinking age. Noah Campbell was plucked from the Yankees then had his Rule V rights traded away in a shrewd move, giving the Brewers a potential shortstop of the future a season or two away.
Best Case Scenario: A resurgent Keston Hiura and some internal improvements get the Brewers 73 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: A.J. Reed or Lourdes Gurriel take a step back and the team finishes with the worst record in baseball.
Key Questions: What position will Keston Hiura play this season?
German Marques had the best year of his career last year and looked terrific for Venezuela in the WBC. Is he a part of your future?
1) Chicago Cubs
2021: 96-66, NL Central Champion. Defeated LA Dodgers 4-1 in NLDS. Lost to Washington 4-2 in NLCS.
Who They Were: The Cubs built an offensive powerhouse, but it wasn't as good as Washington's, nor did they have the pitching staff to compensate. They soared in the second half to an easy division crown, but an imbalanced lineup left them vulnerable to good right-handed pitching. Washington exploited that weakness in the NLCS.
Offseason Review: With Anthony Rizzo and Yoenis Cespedes off the team's books, Chicago was able to aim high and brought on Alex Bregman, Giancarlo Stanton, and Manny Machado. Miguel Cabrera and Steven Souza Jr. were also signed, giving the Cubs a potent offense against lefties. There are still issues against right-handed pitching, but Bregman and Machado were All-Stars last year and have a base competence against right-handed arms. Lefties should get pulverized. The staff was also overhauled, with Chris Sale, Chris Tillman, and Jake Arrieta elsewhere. Steven Matz, Sonny Gray, and Jesse Hahn are on board, all talented, experienced arms who have tasted postseason success.
On the Farm: There's not much there, aside from fifth-outfielders who can play some defense this season. Outside of some relief arms, there's not much in the lower minors either. Unless Chicago trades from their big league staff, their major league roster now is what they'll roll out with all year. They don't have the system to provide reinforcements internally or to trade for someone external.
Best Case Scenario: The offense and defense are terrific and the team outslugs the Nationals in the NLCS.
Worst Case Scenario: An outfielder gets hurt and their lack of left-handed bats sees them lose a playoff slugfest.
Key Questions: How will the Cubs fare against right-handed pitching? The team skews hard to the right-side. Are you worried that will be a problem?
You added a lot of talent this offseason. Do you believe you have a better offense than Washington's?
2) St. Louis Cardinals
2021: 83-79, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: St. Louis made several big free agency splashes, improving their roster from a team that lost 103 games in 2020 to an 83-win unit last year. Steve Bennett stayed the full season, adding stability to a situation that saw the Cardinals with six managers their first four-plus years. Josh Donaldson rebounded from a disappointing 2020 to smash 38 home runs.
Offseason Review: Addison Russell, two-time third-place finisher in MVP voting, was signed this offseason giving St. Louis a dynamite left side of the diamond. With prospects Nick Pratto and Anderson Cosma expected to improve on respectable rookie seasons, the Cardinals should have a very healthy offense. The pitching staff doesn't have any superstars, but should be solid enough to support a playoff push.
On the Farm: Pratto and Cosma have graduated out of prospect status, making the Cardinals system light on position players in the upper minors. There could be some pitchers who can make a difference though, including Luis Contreras, a flamethrowing Dominican who spent time on their National team in the WBC. Jean Ruiz and Kumar Rocker could nudge their way into starting pitching plans, especially should injuries arise.
Best Case Scenario: The youngsters grow, Joc Pederson improves his second season in St. Louis as Josh Donaldson did, and the stars carry the Cardinals to 91 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The youngsters don't develop and Donaldson takes a step back as the Cardinals lose more than they win.
Key Questions: Ildemaro Vargas had a nice season last year with 15 steals in 15 attempts, a .299 average, and at last 13 starts at each infield position. Will he start this year, or will your signings relegate him to a utility player?
Do you feel like you have a pitching staff capable of making it to the playoffs this season?
3) Cincinnati Reds
2021: 78-84, 3rd Place NL Central
Who They Were: Cincinnati's 78 wins were the most in their history, as Shedric Long's unbelievable 38-home run season fueled a team that finished fourth in the league in home runs. The team's pitching wasn't great and the Reds didn't draw walks, but their power had them playing competitive baseball for the first time in the PBA.
Offseason Review: Cincinnati added to its pitching staff by signing Diamondbacks hero Kevin Gausman, before promptly losing him for the season. The talented offense remains, but Cincinnati didn't make any other moves to improve their staff, which puts a damper on their outlook.
On the Farm: A pair of exciting prospects are making their way into the upper minors. "Mad Bum" Josh Carlson, named that way because of his exceptional cutter/slider repertoire from the left side, has carved up A-Ball since being drafted sixth overall in 2020. He may be a year away, but he's close. Xavier Edwards tore up the Florida State League last year, and the ninth overall pick in 2018 is knocking on the door. Edwards may be able to help the Reds as early as this year.
Best Case Scenario: Shedric Long proves he's for real, Wil Myers improves his average to .250, and the Reds make a small step to 80 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The staff is the worst in the league and the Reds lose 90 games again.
Key Questions: Between Paul deJong, Corey Seager, and Xavier Edwards, who is the odd man out there?
You have a lot of candidates for right field right now. How will you parse out time for Alex Destino, Skye Bolt, and George Springer this season?
4) Pittsburgh Pirates
2021: 74-88, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: Pittsburgh's payroll was bloated as the team was forced to carry a lot of dead money. Their stars produced, but Andrew Stevenson and Keith Holcombe combined to put up -3.0 WAR. The Pirates, so consistent in producing high-average, low-power offenses in the past, saw its batting average dip to sixth, torpedoing that strategy. The pitching staff, meanwhile, was an abomination.
Offseason Review: This will be a transition year as the team fends off budget penalties this season. The Pirates let some of its bit pieces go in free agency, and replaced Austin Meadows with Max Kepler, getting a prospect in the deal in Jordan Groshans. The Pirates can stand pat and have options heading into 2024, or they can tear down with their best players approaching free agency. The likely won't be contending for a playoff spot.
On the Farm: It's a respectable system, but won't help the team much in the short-term. Tyler Freeman and Jordan Groshans give the team a strong presence up the middle, but both players need a few years to develop. Thierno Danno and "Bad Company" Kevin Truitt are each getting good marks from prospects, but each is in the low minors. It's a good collection for a few years down the road, but none should make an impact for a couple of seasons.
Best Case Scenario: 2020 Gerrit Cole leads the team into the upper 70s.
Worst Case Scenario: 2021 Gerrit Cole facilitates a teardown.
Key Questions: What's your general outlook for the team? There are some nice players, but many are entering free agency this year. Will you base your future on how the season goes or get ahead of a rebuild?
With a number of options, who will start at second base and shortstop for you this season?
5) Milwaukee Brewers
2021: 63-99, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: After a number of minor moves to shore up weaknesses, the team crashed hard early and Vic Black grew despondent. The team drifted aimlessly, needing to go 7-3 in its final 10 games to avoid taking 100 losses.
Offseason Review: Luke Grimmelbein took over managerial responsibilities infusing the team with optimism. He hasn't made any major changes to the big league roster aside from letting some middling second basemen go and picking up some players in the Rule 5 Draft. Wilson Ramos was brought in as catcher, as the free agent "splash."
On the Farm: There are some major prospects on the team, but they're all an eternity away. Scruffy Andexler, Tim Kierstead, Rodolfo Rivera, and Zack Prajzner haven't made it out of Rookie Ball yet, with Milwaukee's other big-potential prospects all under the legal drinking age. Noah Campbell was plucked from the Yankees then had his Rule V rights traded away in a shrewd move, giving the Brewers a potential shortstop of the future a season or two away.
Best Case Scenario: A resurgent Keston Hiura and some internal improvements get the Brewers 73 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: A.J. Reed or Lourdes Gurriel take a step back and the team finishes with the worst record in baseball.
Key Questions: What position will Keston Hiura play this season?
German Marques had the best year of his career last year and looked terrific for Venezuela in the WBC. Is he a part of your future?