Baseball Preview : NL Central

It's been a while, but with spring in the air, I can't stop thinking baseball.  We'll officially dust off the cleats on Friday during the 6 PM on Miller and Brinson and talk some ball, but I figured I'd get things started with a look at many people's favorite division: the NL Central

JQ's Preseason Picks:
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Chicago Cubs
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Houston Astros

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun is back baby!

Even with the loss of Prince Fielder, the Brew crew looks set to contend for the division title in 2012.  Had Ryan Braun not been cleared and had to serve a major suspension, it would have been someone else sitting atop my preseason rankings.  As it is, even sans-Prince, the three way punch of Cory Hart, Braun, and Rickie Weeks should be enough to carry the lineup.  The 'Crew also like Jonathan Lucroy at catcher, buying out most of his arbitration years with a contract earlier this week.  If Zach Grienke can stay healthy and anchor a solid rotation that also includes Yovanni Gallardo and Shawn Marcum, the Brewers should win the division.

2. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are the other team that seems to be the trendy pick to win the central.  I'm not a Dusty Baker fan - I thought his mis-management of arms over the years has led to shortening of promising careers (see: Mark Prior).  While it's not fair to pile all of the blame on Dusty, he's in another similar situation this year with Mat Latos and Aroldis Chapman.  Latos has a great arm, but has struggled with shoulder problems over the past year and half after being over-used the previous two seasons.  Chapman is a fire-baller that is looking to make the jump to the rotation this year.  Keeping his innings under control while he develops will be key to his future.  On offense, the Reds are set.  Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and a (hopefully) healthy Scott Rolen should be able to hang with the best of them.  I just don't see as much room for error with the Reds, which is why I put them second.

3. St. Louis Cardinals
Tough to imagine putting the defending champs in third place.  The problem is, you don't lose the best player in the game and not drop a few spots.  While Matt Holiday and Lance Berkman are nice pieces, Pujols was the key to the whole lineup.  Offensively, Pujols will take some time to replace.  On the pitching end, getting Wainwright back is huge, but Carpenter is already having problems with the elbow, which makes you wonder how long it will be before he's effective.  There's just too many questions on both sides of the equation to put the Cards 1 or 2 to start.

4. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs will come a long way this year.  They're not ready to contend yet - that will come over time by re-stocking the farm system, and dumping hefty contracts put in place by the previous administration.  How to fix the Cubs may be a conversation for a different day, but I'd certainly start by trading away some assets now for prospects for the future.  If I'm the Cubs, no player is off limits - even Starlin Castro and Geovanny Soto.  Brett Jackson may be the one untouchable in the system, just because he's an impact player that looks to hit the majors in the next year or so.  The Cubs need to find players that will hit their stride about four years from now by my estimation.  That's their time frame.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates
How long can the Pirates stay in it this season?  They needed an ace...they got an injured AJ Burnett and a injury prone Erik Bedard.  James McDonald and Charlie Morton may have decent arms, but they aren't guys you're going to win a world series with.  They didn't add much offense, although Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker are nice players.  The best player on the roster is probably closer Joel Hanrahan, but you need to have a lead going in the ninth inning to give him a shot.  For Clint Hurdle's bunch, my suggestion would be to trade McCutchen and get a haul of close-to-major-league-ready prospects in return.  McCutchen is a star in the making - maximize his value now and get the most in return you can.

6. Houston Astros
Well, they still have Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee.  The first should have been traded a year ago, and certainly will be dealt before this year's deadline.  This team has no chance- they need the complete overhaul they're going to get.  The best thing they did last season was trade Michael Bourne and Hunter Pence to contenders.

Coming soon, a preview of the NL West. See you soon.