Last year, the NL Central was probably deepest division in the National League as three prominent teams battled for the division crown. The St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs all had a chance to win the division down the stretch. However, after the Cardinals won the division by two games (100-62), the Pirates (98-64) and Cubs (97-65) secured both spots in the National League Wild Card Game, where the two division foes met for a chance to face St. Louis in the NLDS.
St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals have controlled the NL Central in recent years. Although all three years have seen tight races, St. Louis has captured the division crown in each the last three seasons. This offseason, the Cardinals suffered a few major …show more content…
Pirates star Andrew McCutchen mans center field, while two minor league products, Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte, should play alongside the five-time All-Star.
Chicago Cubs The Cubs’ World Series drought is well documented, but Chicago snapped a six-year playoff drought last season. The postseason appearance came as a result of Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein's overhaul of the team. Epstein made big free agent signings to play with young talent developed in the Cubs' minor league system. Yet, no move was bigger than brining in Joe Maddon to become the Cubs' manager in 2014. With Maddon at the helm for his second season, the Cubs are in a better position to …show more content…
The rebuild began when Cincinnati became deadline sellers last season. The Reds’ first move was shipping pitching ace Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for three pitching prospects with a lot of upside. After the Cueto trade, Cincinnati moved another big part of its rotation, Mike Leake, who the Reds traded to the San Francisco Giants for two more prospects. Although moving the two big names is a sure sign that Cincinnati is rebuilding, the Reds took a lot of heat for not moving other veteran players like Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto. In the offseason, the Reds furthered their rebuild and attempted to quiet critics by shipping off third baseman Todd Frazier and closer Aroldis Chapman. Cincinnati unloaded Frazier to the White Sox in a three-team deal that netted three more prospects. In December, it was thought the Dodgers were ready to acquire Chapman before the deal was held up by domestic violence allegations. The trade ultimately fell through, but Cincinnati struck a deal with the New York Yankees for Chapman a few weeks later. The Reds lineup now has just three veteran fielders surrounded by an exciting young cast. Phillips, Votto and Jay Bruce are all veterans, while the young cast starts with speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton. While Hamilton swiped 57 bags last year and 56 the year before, other members of the infield include
St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals have controlled the NL Central in recent years. Although all three years have seen tight races, St. Louis has captured the division crown in each the last three seasons. This offseason, the Cardinals suffered a few major …show more content…
Pirates star Andrew McCutchen mans center field, while two minor league products, Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte, should play alongside the five-time All-Star.
Chicago Cubs The Cubs’ World Series drought is well documented, but Chicago snapped a six-year playoff drought last season. The postseason appearance came as a result of Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein's overhaul of the team. Epstein made big free agent signings to play with young talent developed in the Cubs' minor league system. Yet, no move was bigger than brining in Joe Maddon to become the Cubs' manager in 2014. With Maddon at the helm for his second season, the Cubs are in a better position to …show more content…
The rebuild began when Cincinnati became deadline sellers last season. The Reds’ first move was shipping pitching ace Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for three pitching prospects with a lot of upside. After the Cueto trade, Cincinnati moved another big part of its rotation, Mike Leake, who the Reds traded to the San Francisco Giants for two more prospects. Although moving the two big names is a sure sign that Cincinnati is rebuilding, the Reds took a lot of heat for not moving other veteran players like Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto. In the offseason, the Reds furthered their rebuild and attempted to quiet critics by shipping off third baseman Todd Frazier and closer Aroldis Chapman. Cincinnati unloaded Frazier to the White Sox in a three-team deal that netted three more prospects. In December, it was thought the Dodgers were ready to acquire Chapman before the deal was held up by domestic violence allegations. The trade ultimately fell through, but Cincinnati struck a deal with the New York Yankees for Chapman a few weeks later. The Reds lineup now has just three veteran fielders surrounded by an exciting young cast. Phillips, Votto and Jay Bruce are all veterans, while the young cast starts with speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton. While Hamilton swiped 57 bags last year and 56 the year before, other members of the infield include