2008 MLB Preview: NL Central

This is a division who knows how to get to the World Series and then crap the bed once they get there (2004 Cardinals and 2005 Houston), or I win the whole damn thing (2006 Cardinals). But now the division has flipped. The previously mentioned teams are pretty bad, but 2 more contenders have taken their place. As previously mentioned, these are listed in the order I think they will finish.

Chicago Cubs

Key Additions: Kosuki Fukudome, Jon Lieber

Key Subtractions: Mark Prior, Craig Monroe, Jason Kendall, Cliff Floyd (Can you call any of them a subtraction?)

Player to Watch: For obvious reasons, Fukudome. First off, hilarious name that I am sure all the college kids in Wrigleyville will make into witty shirts. Second, he can go any direction here. Most people come from Japan hyped like crazy. And then they have a first year like Ichiro, or a first year like Kaz Matsui.

What Can Go Wrong: Pitching. They front end of their rotation is strong. Zambrano is going to have a monster year. Lilly and Hill will be decent enough. But then it gets a bit rough. They have about 4 guys, none of whom should make a 5 man roster fighting for the 4 and 5 spots. The bull pen is serviceable, Marmol will be an amazing set up guy, and Kerry Wood (yes, that Kerry Wood) has been slated to be the closer. Which probably means that he will be having his 14 Tommy John surgery in about 3 weeks.

Predictions: Joking aside, Kerry Wood wins Comeback Player of the Year, the Cubs win the division, and then they flame out in the first round again.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key Additions: Mike Cameron, Eric Gagne, Jason Kendall

Key Subtractions: Francisco Cordero, Johnny Estrada, Geoff Jenkins (seems like that dude was born in a Brewers jersey)

Player to Watch: Ryan Braun. I didn't even have to look at a cheat sheet for this one. He had 34 home runs in 113 games last year (I did have to look for that though). Will he hit a sophomore slump like former rookie of the year winners? Or will he continue his upward trajectory and fill the Favre shaped void in the hearts of Wisconsinites?

What Could Go Wrong: This is a young team. People forget that Fielder, even though he may be their best player, is only in his third year. He is younger than Braun. The rotation will feature at least a few rookies (Gallardo and Parra. Possibly Villanueava). And they gave away their closer role to a guy who imploded as soon as he got to Boston last year.
Prediction: Expectations are high after last year's close taste of the playoffs. The Brewers will be good this year, probably right in the thick of it. If they stay healthy, they will be in it until the end. If the injuries pile up and you have to use a rookie as your ace, prepare for some tears atop many polish sausages.

Cincinnati Reds

Key Additions: Francisco Cordero, Jeremy Affeldt, Dusty Baker

Key Subtractions: Josh Hamilton, Eddie Guardado

Player To Watch: Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. The youth movement is on in Cincinnati. And they have some talent. Although Dusty seems pretty adamant about keeping the much worse veterans in their spots, once either of these two get the chance to play, look out.

What Could Go Wrong: They remember they are they Reds. Beyond what is a stellar young team, this are still the same, pretty terrible Reds. Their starting rotation has Josh Fogg in it. Sure they have the studs to replace their rotation too (Cuento and Bailey), but who knows when Dusty will feel the need to put them in.

Predictions: This team is hard to predict. Depending on how the young players react to the show, they could either be the most surprising team of 2008 or just another column in the sports section next to the most recent Bengals arrest.

Houston Astros

Key Additions: Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui, Micheal Bourne, Daren Erstad, Jose Valverde

Key Subtractions: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Craig Biggio, Chris Burke

Player to Watch: Hunter Pence. He had an amazing year last year. Can he keep it up? Will he keep playing at a high level? Or will his glass door injury during spring training begin his downfall.

What Can Go Wrong: Pitching. Its ugly. They have Roy Oswalt, who always performs. Then its bad. Their new closer Velverde lead the NL is saves last year, but he may be hard pressed to even have the opportunity to save games this year, seeing as how 4 out of every 5 games they could be behind by a dozen points by the ninth.

Prediction: With this ugly pitching comes a fantastic lineup. Carols Lee, Berkman, Bourne, Tejada, Pence, even catching prospect Towels. They will be able to score runs, but can they keep them off the board as well?

St. Louis Cardinals

Key Additions: Troy Glaus, Kyle Lohse (so really, no additions)

Key Subtractions: David Eckstien, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmunds, So Taguchi

Player to Watch: Albert Pujoles. Sure, everyone knows who he is now. But he is the barometer of this team. If he is playing through his arm injury and hustling, things are going well. If he choses to sit out, get surgery or just gimp around, it probably means he, and the team, have given up on the season.

What Could Go Wrong: Once again, as is the common theme in this division, the pitching. They have Adam Wainwright and...well not much at all. Mark Mulder, Joel Pinero and Carpenter are perpetually on the DL. So the rest of the staff rests on the shoulders of Reyes and Looper.

Predictions: A lot of fans wearing their 2006 World Series Champion shirts, just to remind themselves that it actually happened.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Key Additions: Eh, not much. I guess Byung-Hung Kim, not for Pirate reasons, just simple the fact that he is still in the league surprised me

Key Subtractions: Was Shawn Chacon key?

Player to Watch: Young pitching Staff. Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelaney showed everyone a bit of what they can do last year. The division is a bit weaker this year, they have some experience, and I think they will be studs.

What Could Go Wrong: Its already happened. They had two good hitters in Bay and Sanchez. Sanchez went for an omnious visit to Dr. Andrews yesterday and he is possibly out for the year. Nate MacLouth could have a big year, but they have no hitting.

Predictions: In their 89334 rebuilding phase, the Pirates actually may take a stop forward this year. No one will really notice though.