2010 Division Preview With Fantasy Projections: NL Central

Ah, the NL Central!  The only division to carry 6 teams.  I still don’t understand why they don’t move one of the teams over to the AL West so that all 6 divisions have the same number of teams; just one of those things in life that baffles me.  Without further ado, let’s preview ALL 6 teams from the NL Central.

Chicago:  The loveable Cubs enter 2010 with urgency to take that next step as a team.  Their core group of veterans (Lee/Zambrano/Ramirez/Soriano) aren’t getting any younger.  The starting pitching staff enjoyed the growth of youngster Randy Wells, who could take an even bigger step this year and grab the most wins on this staff.  Look for Carlos Marmol to take over the closer spot from the departed Kevin Gregg (Blue Jays) and enjoy a break-out season.  Fantasy Spotlight-Alfonso Soriano.  Soriano claims his knee is healthy again and that playing everyday in the outfield will not be a problem.  I expect Soriano to have a bounce back year and post a respectable line of .270 25 HR 75 RBI and 70 Runs with 15 steals.

Cincinnati:  The Reds have seen their 3 best power hitters of the decade (Griffey/Josh Hamilton/Adam Dunn) all leave town.  This 2010 squad will look to youngsters Juan Francisco and Drew Stubbs (and possibly 2010 rookie Yonder Alonso) to step up and deliver at the plate.  The pitching staff is going to have to be solid throughout if the Reds are to have a chance at competing.  It will be interesting to see when Cuban-defect Aroldis Chapman breaks into the majors and what kind of impact he will have in the league.  Fantasy Spotlight-Joey Votto.  It’s easy to get overlooked at first base in a division that boasts Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Lance Berkman, and Derrek Lee, but count on Votto holding his own in 2010, posting a stat line of .315 30 HR 95 RBI 90 Runs.

Houston:  “Houston, we have a problem.”  This Astros club faces several issues entering the 2010 season, including a shaky starting rotation and a recent leg injury to 1B Lance Berkman (although that does not appear to be serious).  The Astros added very little to a roster in need of a boost during the offseason, signing Pedro Feliz to play third and picking up Brett Myers for the rotation and Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom to battle it out for the closer role.  Having finished last year toward the bottom in the league in several pitching categories including ERA, batting average against, and quality starts, and not adding any real firepower, I don’t see this team eclipsing last years mark of 74 wins.  Fantasy Spotlight-Hunter Pence.  Pence signed a one-year deal and will need to prove that he is the future of this franchise.  I see a stat line close to .290 with 27 HR 85 RBI and 85 Runs along with 15 steals.

Milwaukee:  The Brew-Crew sport a treacherous 1-2 punch in the line-up for opposing teams with OF Ryan Braun and 1B Prince Fielder.  These guys alone are capable of combining for 85 HR and 250 RBI!  I like the addition of speedster Carlos Gomez to play center and grab some steals at the top of the order.  Also, acquiring starting pitchers Randy Wolf and Doug Davis compliment staff-ace Yovani Gallardo.  Don’t overlook “Hell’s Bells” in the ninth as all-time MLB saves king Trevor Hoffman looks to add to his record total of 591.  Fantasy Spotlight-Ryan Braun.  I expect an MVP-type year from Braun, who will be a top-10 fantasy pick.  Look for a stat line of .325 35-40 HR 120 RBI and 105 Runs to go along with 20 steals.

Pittsburgh:  I know the Pirates have been bad for a very long time, (last winning season was 1992) but this 2010 squad shows some signs of promise.  I really like OF Andrew McCutchen and expect him to become the face of this franchise in 2010.  Young arms Zach Duke and Paul Maholm make up a shaky, but improving group of pitchers.  It will be interesting to see the impact of top-prospect 3B Pedro Alvarez (top-5 overall prospect) as I expect him to get called up by June and immediately get plugged into the middle of that line-up.  Fantasy Spotlight-Andrew McCutchen.  In his rookie season, McCutchen offered Pirate fans a talented, flashy player.  In his second season, I see McCutchen coming into his own and putting up stats along the lines of .290 with 18 HR 75 RBI 85 Runs and 25 steals.

St. Louis:  The Cards are the early favorites in a division with most teams struggling to find an identity and a balanced roster.  Any team sporting the best player in the game already has a leg-up on the competition, throw in a couple of aces in the starting rotation (Chris Carpenter & Adam Wainwright) and a deep line-up, and you got yourself a winning formula.  Just when it looked like Matt Holliday was one and done with the Cards, they pull off a monster 7-year deal, ensuring line-up protection for Pujols for years to come.  I see newcomer Brad Penny being very effective in this division, and a bullpen that is good enough to hold leads.  Fantasy Spotlight-Albert Pujols.  The consensus #1 pick in fantasy drafts, Pujols put together another MVP season with a hurt elbow.  Now free of pain, and with Holliday sitting behind him for a full season, I expect monster stats from Pujols close to .340 45 HR 130 RBI 120 Runs and 10 stolen bases just for good measure.

Prediction:  It should already be quite clear from my analysis that I favor the Cardinals to win the NL Central this season.  Their combination of hitting and pitching cannot be matched within the division, and in fact has only one suitable counterpart in the league (stay tuned for the NL East Preview!)