1985 NL Central Preview

Cincinnati Reds (87-75 in 84)

Key Losses

SP Adrian Pugh - Pugh was moved this off season for a couple of younger pieces to help fill a whole in the line up and to have some more longevity moving forwar. Still the team is gonna miss the future 1st ballot hall of famer from the top of the rotation whose still really good having just put up 3.5 WAR in only 25 starts this past season.

2B/SS Roger MacNeill - MacNeill was acquirred at the deadline to jump start the offense for a playoff push and while the Reds came up just short of the playoffs MacNeill did indeed provide a spark with 102 OPS+ which is gonna be difficult to replicate at SS.

Important Additions

SP Mike Quinn - The #52 prospect was one of the pieces acquirred in the Pugh trade. Quinn might not quite be the level of Pugh but projects to be a mainstay in the middle of the rotation for years to come.

LF Jonathan Whittaker - The #158 prospect is the other piece in the Pugh trade. Whittaker looks to hit for a high average and provide a bit for defensive flexibility.

SP Kazuto "Kirito" "50 Million Dollar Man" "Honest" Abe - The #2 prospect out of Japan just got by far the largest contract in league history of 10 year 52M. While it's quesationable if he's worth that much, He's seems poised to come right over and supplant himself near the top of the rotation.

Players to Watch

SP - Jeff Dunn - Has won 3 of the last 4 Cy Youngs with the 1 year being lost to injury keeping it from being a 4 peat.

SP - Kazuto Abe - Will he be worth the contract he just received.

2B - Jeff Karr - A big down year for the former MVP will be looking to have a big bounce back season.

Team Summary

The Reds just missed the playoffs last season for the 1st time since 1976 while in the process of getting younger. The Pugh trade is another move to continue to get a bit younger but the team still has a deep rotation that still has them contending for the playoffs if the offense can improve and be more consistant than it was a year ago.

Chicago Cubs (81-81 in 84)

Key Losses

2B/3B Mario Murillo - Murillo was a deadline acqusition who put up .7 WAR in his 49 games while giving the Cubs defensive flexibility.

Important Additons

RF Han-Wu Chen - Chen had 1.8 WAR in 115 games for the A's last season and looks to add depth and stability to the corner outfields in Chicago this season.

Players to Watch

LF/DH Jeff Maske - The Cubs have been searching the last 2 seasons trying to figure out where to put Maske defensively but now that the DH has come to the NL the 27 year old who led the NL in HRs in 83 should have a more permenant spot in the line up going forward.

1B Matt Bartolozzi - Bartolozzi had a breakout year last year hitting 35HRs and 111 RBIs while drawing 107 walks. He looks poised to have a similar impact this upcoming season as well.

LF - Sam Davis - Davis has been slightly above average the last couple of season with a 114 OPS+ and 2.6 WAR this past season in his 1st full year with the Cubbies and looks to be a breakout canidate and could blow those numbers out of the water.

Team Summary

Wrigley loves the long ball and the Cubs are well equiped to provide it. The question will be can their offense be consistent enough to help their pitching staff in the friendly confines of Wrigley. I would expect all to end well cause at the end of the day Cubs good.

Pittsburg Pirates

Key Losses

SS Tony Nava - The 3 time gold glover might not have had much to write home about with his bat he did do an excellent job defensively at argueably the most important position on the field.

Key Additions

SP Nick Miller - At 25 Miller is already going to be one of the older starters in this young and fierce rotation and is likely to top it given his 8.5 WAR over the past 2 seasons

RP Dale Overton - The now former Expos closer looks to possibly anchor of the quartet that forms the back end of this very sturdy arm barn.

Players to Watch

1B Aaron Stolz - 10.9 WAR over the past 2 seasons and has led the NL in RBIs in each of them and no signs to think he won't match that production again this year

3B Spencer Ritter - The 32 year old 3B is coming off of a career year with a .901 OPS that just landed him an MVP.

LF Bobby Reyna - Reyna has been stellar over the past 2 seasons putting up 11.3 WAR including a .971 OPS this past season.

Team Summary

The Pie Rats are coming off of a trip to the world series where they came up just short against the Yankees in 7 games which will surely motivate this extremely talented team to make another run and hopefully this time be the one to lift the peice of metal at the end of the year.

Houston Astros

Key Losses

None - SP Aaron Putman was the only notable player to reach free agency but re signed with the team and they didn't move any of their MLB talent in any of the trades they made other than John Masi who they aquirred in one trade then shipped out in a different trade.

Important Additions

RP Jorge Gonzalez - 1 of 2 solid relievers the Astros obtained in a trade with the rebuilding Cardinals. Should be a mainstay in the middle of the arm barn if not a contributor in the back end of it.

RP Aaron Daniels - The other reliever that was sent over from St. Louis. Has top tier stuff and likely going to be pitching at the end of games.

CF Justin Johnson - Johnson might not hit for a high average but is going to make up for it by working the count and drawing a lot of walks and playing above average defense in CF

Players to Watch

2B Francisco Rodriquez - Had a breakout year last season with an OPS+ of 155 and a 4.9WAR and looks ready for more

1B Victor Modesto - Also had a breakout year and led the NL in PA(767), AB(704), hits(241), triples(20), SB(56), and average(342)

SP Adam Vance - The reigning NL rookie of the year is looking to improve upon an impressive rookie season where he led the NL in K(213) K/9(10.7) and FIP-(67)

Team Summary

The Astros are coming off of their 1st playoff appearance in team history with the whole gang back together again with a few additions they're gonna be a tough out.

St. Louis Cardinals

Key Losses

SP Rich Ludington - The 26 year old only made 21 starts but was excellent putting up a 2.56 ERA with a 10-5 record

RP Jorge Gonzalez & RP Aaron Daniels - both are profiled in the Astros additions section

RF Dylan Newsome - Newsome is also now an Astro and although he didn't quite make the additions list the 25 year old looks like he could be due for a breakout season

Important Additions

2B John Massi - The soon to be 23 year old didn't spend the entire year at the MLB level but when he did get his opportunity he shined putting up 1.4 WAR in his 64 games with the Rockies.

SP Todd Brown - The soon to be 20 year old likely won't be on the opening day roster but wouldn't be surprised to so him at the big league level come september and should be a solid piece going forward

2B Lupe Coronado - The 18 year old is still a few years away from competing on the MLB stage but appears to be someone who is going to be a key contributor when he gets there.

Players to Watch

SP Jesse Duch - Duch had a huge sophmore slump after his incredible rookie of the year campaign. While it's unlikely he'll reach the heights of his rookioe campaign I'd think he'd bounce back some and be better than last year

SP Cameron Robertson - The #78 prospect has been a September call up the past 2 seasons but he seems like a lock to be on the opening day roster this season.

SP Kevin Johnson - The #88 prospect had his debut delayed due to a couple of bouts of elbow tendenitis but seems like all is clear for now and shoul be on the opening day roster.

Team Summary

The Cardinals are on a loney island of being the only team in the division that is rebuilding and while they may be looking at a rough year this season it doesn't seem like it's going to be to long of a rebuild and there could be light and the end up the tunnel sooner rather than later.