2011 MLB preview: NL Central

by Steve

If you missed it here is the NL East preview, now on to the Central division.

Milwaukee Brewers

JJ Hardy for Carlos Gomez? Where do I sign up. Yunieski Betancourt was a failure in Seattle but may he just needs a change of scenery ( already a second change after it also failed in KC). Gomez is still young and a potential stud in CF although he has only showed flashes. If he fails they did scoop up Nyjer Morgan as a solid back up plan. Ricky Weeks just got paid after a solid season and may slip but Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are studs in their prime. A couple of meh players like Mark Kotsay and Casey McGehee are a decent mix too.

The major question mark with this team will be the pitching staff. After the block buster Zack Greinke trade the staff seemed solid. But with Greinke starting the season on the DL along with Manny Parra who knows. Both should be ready by May at the latest but they were desperate enough to trade for Sergio Mitre. Does 34 year old Randy Wolf have anything left? Don't expect much out of Shaun Marcum either. The one bright spot however will be Yovani Gallardo. I see him finally getting some national attention and lift this staff on his shoulders when needed.

prediction 90-72


Cincinnati Reds

This team is out to prove last year wasn't a freak anomaly. Too bad it sort of was a freak anomaly. 91 wins and a solid five wins better than anyone else in the division was nearly stunning in 2010. They did it with a great mix of youth ie Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Drew Stubbs and veteran leadership ie Brandon Phillips, Orlando Cabrera and Scott Rolen. They all return except Cabrera with Paul Janish (who?) replacing him. The question is whether the youth will grow up and take the reigns of leadership for this team.

Bronson Arroyo is still with the squad but he won't replicate a fantastic 2010 season. The Aaron Harang experiment is finally over which forces the team to rely on unreliable potential studs in Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez. This staff needs someone else to step up if those two can't stay healthy and effective for a whole season (which they have yet to do). Is that man Homer Bailey (doubt it) or noob Travis Wood (maybe) ?

prediction 88-74


Chicago Cubs

Is this team just biding its time until the Albert Pooj sweepstakes starts in November? Marlon Byrd had a sick season and killed my credibility last year (although I had the Reds as my sleeper) I'll admit it but who does this team have that strikes fear in anyone? Carlos Pena might have a couple good seasons especially since he is "downgrading" to the National League but he isn't a superstar. Is Cubbie nation going to pin their hopes on young gun Starlin Castro? Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano aren't dead yet but they are degrading faster than the wild life in the Pacific Ocean.

This team more than anything needs big Z to figure it out. I like the Matt Garza move and he has the whole NL switch on his side too but what else does Chicago have? Randy Wells is a four at best and Ryan Dempster might be a two on some teams. And who the hell is Mike Quade?

prediction 78-84


St Louis Cardinals
Don't let anyone fool you, the Albert Pooj sit. will hang around this teams neck all season like a positive HIV test. The nail in the coffin was the injury to Adam Wainwright. They are so desperate for pitchers they just traded for a guy (Jake Westbrook) who is on his third team already this offseason AND he is penciled in as the #2 guy. Who knows maybe Jaime Garcia will surprise and turn into a stud. Also hold your breathe for CF Colby Rasmus to take a step building on a good 2010 and for people to figure out who 3B David Freese is.

prediction 77-85


Houston Astros
This team is brutal. They have a god awful pitching staff headed by (gulp) Brett Myers? I have run out of desire to make fun of Wandy Rodriguez. Pin your hopes on the great outfield Lee, Bourn, Pence and the centerpiece to the Roy Oswalt trade J.A. (James Anthony) Happ.

Prediction 70-92


Pittsburgh Pirates
Is Neal Harrington fired yet? Oh and Jim Negrych got traded to the Marlins after he was demoted to AA and didn't want to report. Alright one roster take, don't get used to your brand new Andrew McClutchen jersey he'll probably be playing for the Mets or Yankees etc by spring 2014.

prediction 58-104, a one game improvement over last year!