An Offseason of Evolution In The National League Central

There was a time during the 2008 season that there were three teams in the National League Central, the Cubs, Brewers and Cardinals, had the three best records in the entire National League.

It would appear the division wants to have an off-season to rival the on-field action.

The rumors are flying about free agents and trades, and there are already big names coming into the division to sit on the bench.

Ken Macha, who did not finish below second place as manager in Oakland for four years, is the new manager in Milwaukee, and has brought in recently removed Mets manager Willie Randolph as his bench coach.

There has been plenty written on BR about the potential for Jake Peavy to join the Chicago Cubs. The winner of the Peavy Derby, whether it's the Cubs or Braves, will apparently know by the end of this coming week.

If he comes to Chicago, there is no doubt of the impact it would have on the division; the Cubs would have arguably the best rotation in all of baseball, with a seventeen game winner in Ted Lilly sliding to the fourth starter spot.

But hiring a new manager hasn't been the only movement in Milwaukee. There have been rumors that Prince Fielder, due a Ryan Howard-like raise in arbitration this winter, is on the trade block. They have also not given in to assumption that they were losing both Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia this winter; the Brewers allegedly offered the hefty left-hander a five year deal worth $20 million per season. A $100 million contract in Milwaukee?

Seriously?

And in St Louis, where they are desperate to get a winner together around Albert Pujols in time for Tony LaRussa's final season. The most recent swirling thought in St Louis is that Ryan Ludwick and his potential one year wonder might be the centerpiece of a trade for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.

If Holliday were added to a lineup with Troy Glaus and Pujols, the Cardinals would be right handed heavy but the balls in batting practice might not ever land.

By the end of February, heaven knows what this division could look like. If one or two big time pitchers and a couple big time trades happen, there could be as much hype going into a season for this division as there was when Sosa, McGwire and Griffey were each vying for the home run crown.