Guest bengalrick Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 [url="http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca24.htm"]suntimes.com[/url] [quote][b] Central theme: endure [/b] January 24, 2005 BY CHRIS DE LUCA STAFF REPORTER During a relatively light offseason, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry keeps reminding us that some of his biggest moves came in 2004. He did swing the Nomar Garciaparra trade on July 31, but a Cubs team that finished in third place last season saw more subtractions than additions this offseason. Hendry shouldn't feel bad. The National League Central suffered some of the biggest losses in baseball. Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent, Moises Alou, Edgar Renteria, Tony Womack, Jason Kendall and Dan Kolb all found new homes this winter. Though there will be more reshaping throughout the division, here's a look at how the Central stacks up less than a month shy of spring training: [b]CARDINALS[/b] Record in 2004: 105-57, first place. Winter remodeling: General manager Walt Jocketty made a splash by landing left-hander Mark Mulder from the Athletics. But the Cardinals suffered some key free-agent loses, including shortstop Edgar Renteria, catcher Mike Matheny, second baseman and leadoff hitter Tony Womack, starting pitcher Woody Williams and left-handed setup man Steve Kline. Jocketty signed David Eckstein to replace Renteria and lead off, and former Cub Mark Grudzielanek replaces Womack at second. Outlook: The pressure is on Eckstein, who hit .276 with two homers, 35 RBI and 92 runs and was the second-hardest player to strike out in the AL, with 49 in 566 at-bats. The most dangerous hitters in the lineup (Larry Walker, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds) return, though Pujols is troubled by chronic pain in his left heel. Promising Yadier Molina, 23, replaces Matheny behind the plate. Bottom line: The Cardinals have a deeper rotation than the Cubs, a better lineup and a legitimate closer. They won't win 105 games again, but they should rule the Central even with 10 fewer victories. [b]ASTROS[/b] Record in 2004: 92-70, second place. Winter remodeling: The Astros still are trying to recover from the free-agent departure of Carlos Beltran. Getting Roger Clemens for another year, even at $18 million, helps cushion the blow. But the Astros also lost All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent (their 2004 RBI leader with 107), starting pitcher Wade Miller and reliever Dan Miceli to free agency. Outlook: All-Star left fielder Lance Berkman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing flag football and isn't expected back until late May. Berkman was second to Kent in RBI last season with 106. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell are showing their age. Still, Clemens, Roy Oswalt, a healthy Andy Pettitte and Brandon Backe help form a rotation as good as what the Cubs offer. And Brad Lidge gives the Astros a capable closer from Day 1. Bottom line: That's too much firepower to lose in one offseason, but the Astros should make things interesting. [b]CUBS[/b] Record in 2004: 89-73, third place. Winter remodeling: The Cubs lost two players -- Moises Alou and Matt Clement -- who were key to keeping them afloat during a stormy 2004. Alou led the Cubs with 106 RBI, and Clement was the first Cubs starter to reach seven victories. Outlook: Mark Prior and Kerry Wood combined for a 14-13 record. They must stay healthy and be more consistent. Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux were the two horses of the rotation. Unlike last season, the fifth spot is up for grabs, and the Cubs will be auditioning for a closer in spring training. Strikeout-prone Corey Patterson will be the leadoff hitter. The middle infield is more stable with shortstop Nomar Garciaparra on hand for a full season and Todd Walker full-time at second base. Alou's loss and a declining Sammy Sosa will change the way pitchers work power threats Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee. Bottom line: This is a weaker team than what the Cubs opened with last season. [b]REDS[/b] Record in 2004: 76-86, fourth place. Winter remodeling: General manager Dan O'Brien's biggest goal was to bolster what was the worst pitching staff in Reds history. He did that in a big way -- by Cincinnati standards. The Reds signed left-hander Eric Milton after acquiring right-hander Ramon Ortiz. The bullpen was improved with the additions of setup men Ben Weber, David Weathers and Kent Mercker. Signing third baseman Joe Randa keeps Austin Kearns in right field. And the Reds finally said goodbye to shortstop Barry Larkin. Outlook: Closer Danny Graves has a better supporting cast, and the Reds have a dangerous lineup if Kearns, Sean Casey, Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy. Anderson Machado, coming off a knee injury in winter ball, and Felipe Lopez will battle in spring training to replace Larkin. Bottom line: If the pitching improves, the Reds could be the division's sleepers. [b]PIRATES[/b] Record in 2004: 72-89, fifth place. Winter remodeling: The Pirates made some strictly small-market moves, adding pitchers Mark Redman and Todd Ritchie, and trading for outfielder Matt Lawton and catcher Benito Santiago. The biggest loss was the long-awaited departure of catcher Jason Kendall. Outlook: The rebuilding Pirates have some promising pitching, with a staff anchored by 23-year-old left-hander Oliver Perez. He went 12-10 with little support and had a 2.98 ERA in 30 starts as a rookie. The Pirates still have one of the league's best closers in Jose Mesa, but they will continue to struggle scoring runs. Bottom line: A tight payroll and more rebuilding will keep the Pirates out of contention. [b]BREWERS[/b] Record in 2004: 67-94, sixth place. Winter remodeling: The Brewers, who have a new owner in Mark Attanasio, added some power with the addition of left fielder Carlos Lee. They also acquired hard-throwing right-handers Jose Capellan and Justin Lehr, plus capable catcher Damian Miller. But the bullpen took a hit with the trades of closer Dan Kolb and setup man Luis Vizcaino. Leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik was lost in the Lee trade, and shortstop Craig Counsell left via free agency. Outlook: The Brewers were the worst hitters in the clutch last season, and GM Doug Melvin has worked hard to retool his lineup. Brady Clark replaces Podsednik atop the lineup and in center field. After Ben Sheets, who is coming off back surgery, and Doug Davis, the rotation is filled with questions. And the late-relief corps will be hard-pressed to duplicate the work of Kolb and Vizcaino. Bottom line: With a new owner, the Brewers might be more aggressive, but .500 seems like their best hope.[/quote] it sounds to me like it should come down to the cardinals and the reds... the astros lost a whole bunch and the cubs can't win when they need to.. plus they lost alou... REDS, PLEASE STAY HEALTHY!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_dish Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 [quote name='bengalrick' date='Jan 24 2005, 12:53 PM'][url="http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca24.htm"]suntimes.com[/url] it sounds to me like it should come down to the cardinals and the reds... the astros lost a whole bunch and the cubs can't win when they need to.. plus they lost alou... [b]REDS, PLEASE STAY HEALTHY!!![/b] [right][post="38660"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote] Are they going to hire a new training/medical staff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskimo Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 [quote name='big_dish' date='Jan 24 2005, 06:48 PM']Are they going to hire a new training/medical staff? [right][post="38776"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote] That would be a good idea for the reds and the bengals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bengalrick Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 [quote name='big_dish' date='Jan 24 2005, 06:48 PM']Are they going to hire a new training/medical staff? [right][post="38776"][/post][/right][/quote] hey krikchek (sp?) is known for treating hamstrings and surgeries for a reason... <cough, griffey> all i can do is pray man... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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