Albert Pujols to Los Angeles: Milwaukee Brewers New Favorite in NL Central

Albert Pujols is still running through the minds of Milwaukee Brewer fans everywhere. After the St. Louis Cardinals were left for dead, got back into the NL playoff race and eventually jammed the Brewers' foot into their mouth, fans have been left to wonder what could have been.

Now, they might not have to; Pujols left the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday and joined the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Not only does this mean that the Brewers don't have to face Albert in 18 games every year, but it also means that the Brewers now control the NL Central.

Yes, the Brewers will lose pieces. None of those will be bigger than the loss of Prince Fielder, but the Brewers still have a solid nucleus that can compete in the National League.

When talking about a contender, you have to talk about pitching. The Brewers have solid pitching, as Yovanni Gallardo looked outstanding in the NLDS, Zack Grienke is always capable of putting up 20 wins in a season and Shawn Marcum and Randy Wolf took turns in 2011 being the best pitcher in the rotation.

Add that with one of the best closers in baseball with John Axeford, and the Brewers can still throw with the best of them in the Central.

The lineup will have some holes to fill, but it always helps when the anchor is Ryan Braun. The reigning NL MVP will be a Brewer for many years to come, and he may be able to convince some other free agents to join the party in Milwaukee.

They'll need to fill holes at first base and shortstop, but if the Brewers can make some nice finds in free agency (with others like Casey McGahee rebounding), they'll be just fine without Fielder.

However, it's all about the competition in your division. That's why the Toronto Blue Jays can hit about 300 home runs a season and not come close to sniffing the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. With that, the NL Central is in a down year.

Obviously, the Cardinals will have a huge gaping hole in their lineup as well without Pujols. The Chicago Cubs are in full-fledged rebuilding mode to the point where even if they sign Fielder, they won't have any pieces around him to do much. The Pirates are up-and-coming, but still several years from grabbing the Central crown and the Reds and Astros are in complete disarray. The NL Central is definitely weakened by Pujols' move.

This sets up the best chance the Brewers have ever had at winning back-to-back division championships. There's plenty of time left in free agency for every team to improve, but if the Brewers have a good offseason, the Central is theirs.