2017 National League Central Preview
Chicago Cubs
2016:103-58 (NL Central champs, won World Series over Cleveland)
Key additions: OF Jon Jay, LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Wade Davis, RHP Alec Mills, RHP Koji Uehara, RHP Eddie Butler
Key subtractions: OF Dexter Fowler, LHP Aroldis Chapman, LHP Travis Wood, RHP Jason Hammel, OF Jorge Soler, C David Ross
Path to the playoffs: Show up and be somewhat healthy. This team is so deep and talented that it can handle some bumps and bruises. They did a nice job building in some pitching depth even though their depth can probably only cover the loss of a 4th or 5th starter, but how many teams can really cover the loss of a 2nd or 3rd starter anyway? The bullpen still looks like it could use some bolstering and the offense,well, Kyle Schwarber is healthy. Joe Buck is happier than Joe Maddon cause Buck doesn't have to find a spot on the diamond for him. But he'll add another ridiculously good bat to a juggernaut lineup.
X-factor: Wilson Contreras should take over the majority of the catching duties this year with Miguel Montero peppered in and maybe the rare appearance by Schwarber in the gear. But Contreras had a good rookie year and will be given the keys to the rotation this year and he'll have to lead a good staff with high expectations.
St. Louis Cardinals
2016: 86-76 (2nd in NL Central)
Key additions: OF Dexter Fowler, LHP Brett Cecil
Key subtractions: OF Brandon Moss, 1B/OF Matt Holiday, LHP Jamie Garcia
Path to the playoffs: Adam Wainwright thinks he's got his curveball refigured and could bounce back. Lance Lynn is back and Carlos Martinez looks like he's ready to step into the ace role fully. If the rotation benefits from all of the above, they will be in the Wild Card hunt until the end and possibly in the postseason. The Cubs would need injuries for the Cards to regain the division.
X-factor: Michael Wacha looked to be part of the future of the Cardinals rotation when he first broke into the majors. Injuries and ineffectiveness have clouded his potential. He is now the clubs fifth starter but if he can make a return to what he's capable of, this is a very deep rotation.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2016: 78-83 (3rd in NL Central)
Key additions: RHP Daniel Hudson
Key subtractions: RHP Neftali Feliz, LHP Jeff Locke, OF Matt Joyce, INF Sean Rodriguez
Path to the playoffs: Gerrit Cole has had a good spring. If he can carry that over, Ivan Nova can prove his short stint of success after the trade to the Pirates wasn't a fluke and the team can get highly touted rookies Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow acquitted to the big leagues quickly, the rotation should have enough talent to stay in it. The bullpen looks potentially shaky and they'll need big bounce back years from Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen as well as a bit of a breakout from rookie Josh Bell to fight for a Wild Card spot. Their window isn't closed but this is a big year.
X-factor: Of course it's Andrew McCutchen. A Cutch like year either propels the Pirates back in the right direction...or off to another team. Either way, his performance could dictate the Pirates plans this summer.
Milwaukee Brewers
2016: 73-89 (4th in NL Central)
Key additions: 1B/3B Travis Shaw, 1B Eric Thames
Key subtractions: 1B Chris Carter, RHP Tyler Thornburg
Path to the playoffs: This lineup is going to be a lot more fun and intriguing than people realize. Keon Broxton could be a fun player, Ryan Braun has actually been pretty durable-ish, Jonathan Villar should build on a good 2016, Domingo Santana is waiting to breakout and Orlando Arcia is still developing. To make the playoffs, Eric Thames would have to bring over his Barry Bonds like numbers from Korea. He should still be pretty solid anyways, but they'd need next level performance from him to hit their way to the playoffs because behind late blooming breakout Junior Guerra, the rotation is waiting on their big pieces. Josh Hader should be up this year but they'd need Matt Garza to really turn back the clock and for Chase Anderson to figure out how to keep the ball out of the ballpark.
X-factor: Even though there are plenty of young, fun bats on this team, their investment into Thames should be a big determinant for this year and the next few, even though they have some first base options behind him.
Cincinnati Reds
2016: 68-94 (5th in NL Central)
Key additions: RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Drew Storen, UT Arismedy Alcantar
Key subtractions: 2B Brandon Phillips, RHP Dan Straily
Path to the playoffs: Go back in time 5 years. Not a feasible plan? Well, Billy Hamilton could turn into Willie Mays Hayes and hit 40 homers to go along with 60 steals, Scott Feldman can turn into an ace, Amir Garrett reaches his ceiling in 2017 as does Brandon Finnegan, Robert Stephenson and Cody Reed. Those last three names should be interesting to watch in the rotation and Hamilton, Jose Peraza, Joey Votto form a fun 1-2-3 in the order but it would take something wilder than Major League for them to even be in the thick of the Wild Card race by July.
X-factor: Devin Mesaraco appears to be healthy and has an All-Star caliber bat behind the plate. A return to form would mean a boost to this rebuild in terms of locking in another long term piece for the future or using him as trade bait to add more to the future pot.
POSTED 03/30/2017 00:19
Lake County Sentinel
