2012 NL Central baseball preview

by Steve

In case you missed it here is the NL West Preview, now on to the Central:

Cincinnati Reds
When your contract includes a $20 million option for 2024 YOU GOT PAID. Probably way too much too, but Joey Votto is a cornerstone to any franchise. $225 million though? Hopefully for the Reds JV and co have a bounce back '12 after a disappointing 2011 campaign.

For now Volquez for Latos seems like a good deal but I don't trust any pitcher from San Diego and their hitter hating ballpark. Can Johnny Cueto ever stay healthy? Drew Stubbs probably won't hit 45 dingers again but he has to cut down on the k's. And who is Chris Heisey and how many of you knew he had 26 dongs in '11?

I give Cincy the edge because they have the best manager in a down division sans Puj and fat boy Prince.
91-71


St Louis Cardinals
This team is indestructible. Every time they are left for dead they rise from the ashes Jason Voorhees style and kick you in the nuts. The bigger loss for this squad may be their weird lettuce manager than Mr lawn mower Puj.

The red birds luckily have someone in-house to replace him in World Series MVP Freese. Wainwright and Lohse are a solid 1-2 but behind that is nothing more than a few washed up has-beens and young buck Lance Lynn.

This season depends on Mike Matheny and his transition to lead dog calling the shots.
89-73


Milwaukee Brewers
Aramis Ramirez is no replacement for Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun is a cheater. The nucleus is still good but unfortunately for Brew-crew nation not great.

This team will have to transition into more of a pitching and defense type squad because Braun's numbers are going to suffer two fold (ya know sans PEDs and fat boy providing protection). Oh and will Randy Wolf ever die? How much money has this guy pocketed for being a career 4th starter?
81-81

Three more teams to go? Ouch

Pittsburgh Pirates
Do you need a worse sign heading into the season than your "big acquisition" AJ Burnett busting his face practicing bunts? At least Andrew McCutchen got paid (although even that doesn't guarantee he'll be around a while).

Eventually all the high draft picks and dumping of players for prospects has to greatly improve the talent on the roster doesn't it? Well unless you whiff on Jose Bautista.
80-82 (still not .500 ouch)


Chicago Cubs/Houston Astros
Wow. Is there something worse than hopeless? Are there three players on either roster someone would truly desire? At least Houston has some excuses and get to change leagues, but the Cubbies? They are the joke of professional sports, and I'm saying this from Buffalo,NY. That has to sting.
60-102