The Chicago Cubs' NL Central Rivals Preaching Patience

With 60 percent of the off season behind us, I thought this would be a good time to take a look at what the Chicago Cubs NL central rivals are up to.  Most people would agree that the NL central will once again belong to the Cubs, but I don't expect the Cubs to overlook anyone.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers did their best to try and bring back their ace CC Sabathia.  Milwaukee offered a 5 year 100 million dollar contract, but Sabathia decided to sign with the Yankees for a 7 year 160 million dollar contract.

A few weeks prior to the Sabathia signing, the Brewers learned that their closer Salomon Torres decided to retire.  Torres was the Brewers best reliever and recorded 28 saves. The Brewers were hoping to either land a closer and move Torres to the eight inning, or possibly add a setup man. 

Other notable subtractions for Milwaukee are Russell Branyan who signed in Seattle, and Derrick Turnbow who signed a minor league deal with Texas. 

The Brewers two biggest signings of the off season have been Trevor Hoffman and Jorge Julio.  The future hall of famer struggled a bit last year,but still recorded 30 saves.  29-year old Jorge Julio split his time between Cleveland and Atlanta. Julio was 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA.

So what's next for the Brewers?  The Brewers will look to add another arm to their bullpen.  My guess would be Juan Cruz.  The Brewers will also look to add a third basemen and a starter.  I think the Brewers will end up signing Joe Crede and re-signing Ben Sheets. 

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals made their biggest free agent signing in November.  The Cardinals resigned Kyle Lohse to a 4 year 41 million dollar deal.  Lohse is is coming off a great season that saw him go 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA.

The Cardinals upgraded their shortstop position by trading for Khalil Green. Green struggled a year ago batting .213, with 10 HR.  It's a pretty good bet that his numbers will improve in St. Louis.  Green hit 27 HR two years ago with San Diego. 

The Cardinals had one of the worst bullpens in the game a year ago and have done very little to improve it.  They passed on Wood and Rodriguez, while loosing out on Fuentes.  The Cardinals did sign Royce King and Trever Miller to their pen. 

The Cardinals watched one of their team leaders Aaron Miles sign with the Cubs, and Felipe Lopez signed with Arizona. 

The St. Louis Cardinals have a lot of work to do between now and opening day.  They need to add a starter possibly Jon Garland and a closer. There's not much left on the closer market, so it may behoove them to add two starters and move Carpenter to the closer role. 

Cincinnati Reds

The two biggest additions for the Reds are left-handed relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes and outfielder Willy Taveras. 

Rhodes will strengthen the left side of the Reds pen. Rhodes appeared in 61 games recording a 2.04 ERA.  Tavaras will play center and add some much needed speed to the Reds lineup.  Tavaras led the league in stolen bases with 68 steals.

The third addition for the Reds was catcher Ramon Hernandez who they acquired via  trade from the Orioles.  Hernandez who hit 15 HR will be the everyday catcher. 

The Reds could always use another arm for their pen, but for the most part they're ready for spring training.  

Pittsburgh Pirates

As usual the Pirates have a lot of work to do.  With a very small payroll, the majority of the Pirates signings have been to minor league contracts. 

The one real good thing the Pirates have done is sign their very talented young catcher Ryan Doumit to a 3 year deal.  

The top priority for the Pirates right now is to sign Nate McLouth to a long term deal.  He's under contract for two more years, but the Pirates wont have a chance to sign him if he ever reaches free agency.

The Pirates also drafted Cubs farm hand Donald Veal in the rule five draft.  Once a highly ranked prospect in the Cubs system Veal has struggled to develop.  Veal has a career 25-28 minor league record.  Maybe a change of  scenery will help the 24-year old Veal.

Houston Astros

 It's hard to figure out what that Houston Astros are doing.  Their biggest move was signing Mike Hampton.  They have decided not bring back Randy Wolf.  Wolf was their number two pitcher during the second half of last year.

The Astros have also resigned free agents La Troy Hawkins and Doug Brocali.  Brocali and Hawkins were very productive out of the Astros pen last year.  

That's a look at what's been going on with the Chicago Cubs NL central rivals.  It will be interesting to see what happens between now and spring training. I expect many of the NL central general managers to become a little more aggressive once some of the bigger names are off the market.