Baseball 2009 Preview of National League Central

With apologies to all the faithful in Wrigley Field, I think the NL Central this year belongs to the Reds. They added some minor parts, but their biggest move was addition by subtraction. They finally shed the bas-clogging, defensively-impaired outfielders known as Adam Dunne and Ken Griffey.

They already have the best second baseman in the NL in Brandon Phillips and two of the leagues's top rookies in 2008, Jay Bruce (right field) and Joey Votto (first base). The left side of the infield will be solid, with the underappreciated Edwin Encarnacion at third and a healthy Alex Gonzalez at short.

The team's top two additions will shore up the middle defense tremendously. Willy Tavares, brought over from Colorado, will be the Reds first true centerfielder of this decade. Catcher Ramon Hernandez, who came over from the Orioles, is a veteran who has guided pitching staffs through pennant races.

The best reason to expect good things from Cincinnati is its starting rotation. Aaron Harang, though he struggled a bit last year, is a consistent workhorse capable of throwing a shutout on any given night. Bronsosn Arroyo, who helped Boston to a championship a few years ago, finished strong last year. Edinson Volquez pitched like a CY Young candidate throughout most of last year, and he will be even less prone to rookie mistakes this year. Johnny Cueto's inexperience showed at times last year, but this guy would be at least a number two starter for any other team in the division.

The bullpen, a serious weak point for the Reds the past few seasons, will be a little better. They re-signed veteran David Weathers and added lefty Arthur Rhodes to set up for closer Francisco Cordero. Obviously Cordero is the biggest concern for Cincinnati going into spring training. He blew too many save opportunities last year, and he loses his composure too easily. The Reds are hoping that the presence of Weathers and Rhodes may help stabilize Cordero and the rest of the shaky bullpen.

The Astros finished strong last year, even contending for a wild card birth at one point in the season. They have several all-star sluggers, most notable Lance Berkman (first base), Carlos Lee (Left Field) and Miguel Tejada (shortstop). Hunter Pence is developing into a star in right field, and Kaz Matsui is a dependable second baseman. The questions for Houston include third base, where Geoff Blum is expected to share with Aaron Boone. That pair makes for one of the most poetic platoon in MLB history, Blum and Boone. The club hopes Michael Bourne can develop quickly into an above average centerfielder and offensive threat.

The starting rotation behind Roy Osvalt is a huge concern. Wandy Rodriguez has good stuff, but he won only nine times last year. The rest of the rotation will be filled among Brandon Backe, Mike Hampton, Brian Mohler and Russ Ortiz. Jose Valverde may be the best closer in the division, having saved 44 games last year. The club also has veteran set up guy Latroy Hawkins to help them contend in what should be a wide open division.

The Cubs will have a difficult time defending their division title this year. Their corner infielders and team leaders, Aramis Ramirez (third) and Derrick Lee (first), showed signs of aging in the first round of the playoffs last year. The middle defense is questionable, with Ryan Theriot at short and Aaron Miles at second. The outfield corners are talented, but they both bring issues into the clubhouse. Alfonso Soriano has never been shy about airing his disgruntlement, though he certainly is a talented hitter. The club brought in Milton Bradley, who seems to have run-ins with managers, teammates and/or fans wherever he goes. How well can the short-tempered Lou Piniella tolerate any blow-ups Bradley is likely to have?

The Cubs finally gave up on top prospect Felix Pie and shipped him to the AL. Unless they acquire a better replacement, Chicago will start Kosuke Fukudome in center. Fukudome was a huge bust last year, finally being benched by Piniella for the last month or so of the season.

Chicago does have the best catcher in the division. Geovanny Soto won the Rookie of the Year Award, and there is no reason to believe he won't be even better in 2009.

He will have his hands full trying to handle number one starter Carlos Zambrano. The talented but emotional Zambrano too often has a melt down, making him especially susceptible in big game situations. Lefthander Ted Lilly gave up more home runs than any other pitcher in the league last year, and Rich Harden was disappointing after coming over from Oakland last year. The bullpen is littered with question marks, especially since Chicago cut ties with closer Kerry Wood.

The Brewers may have won the wild card last year, but the single most important guy from that team is gone. CC Sabathia, who was unbeatable after the Brewers acquired him last summer, has signed with the Yankees. His departure leaves the Brewers without anyone close to a number one starter. Even though they added the aging Trevor Hoffman, the bullpen is almost as shaky as the rotation.

The strength of the Brewers is its lineup. Outfielder Ryan Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder form a good lefty-righty punch, and veteran Mike Cameron will cover a lot of ground in center. Rickie Weeks (second base), J.J. Hardy (short) and Bill Hall (third) are all familiar faces in the lineup. The biggest question is at catcher. How can Jason Kendall still be a starter? His skills, both offensively and defensively, have been in decline since he left Pittsburg a half a decade ago.

Note: If Albert Pujols convinces his friend many Ramirez to sign with St. Louis (as the latest rumor suggests), the Cardinals will finish better than this. For right now, outside of Pujols, they don't have much to offer. Sure, Ryan Ludwick had a huge year in 2008, but can he realistically be expected to repeat those numbers? Ramirez would certainly be a tremendous upgrade from Skip Schumacher, and he would give even more protection to lefthanded hitting Rick Ankiel. The infield is shaky, given the health problems of Troy Glaus (third base) and the weak offense of Adam Kennedy (second). Shortstop Kahlil Greene comes over from San Diego, bringing his very average glove and his very average bat.

The rotation is barely better than Milwaukee's. The number one guy, Adam Wainwright, would be a three or four starter for any of the contenders. Kyle Lohse could be good, like he was a few years ago, or he could be bad like he was all the other years.The bullpen is comprised of a bunch of arms without a clear closer. If Manny could pitch like he hits, the Cardinals might have a chance to win the Central.

The Pirates will likely stay in the cellar in 2009. They have only one potential all-star, second baseman Freddy Sanchez, and the club is trying desperately to trade him before opening day. The LaRoche brothers will fill the infield corners, even though their potential is no longer attainable. The outfielders are all youngsters led by Nate McLouth, who had a stellar rookie season last year. Brandon Moss came over from Boston hoping to replace Jason Bay. I don't see it. Catcher Ryan Doumit brings a good defensive approach behind the plate, which he'll need in order to make the rotation even average. They have an unproven closer, but a club who seldom has a lead doesn't really need a closer.