Milwaukee Brewers

Management: GM – Doug Melvin; Manager – Ned Yost
Notable Additions: Mike Cameron, Eric Gagne, Gabe Kapler, Jason Kendall, Guillermo Mota, David Riske, Salomon Torres.
Notable Losses: Francisco Cordero, Johnny Estrada, Geoff Jenkins, Scott Linebrink, Kevin Mench, Matt Wise.
Down the Road: Zach Jackson, Lou Palmisano, Manny Parra.

Projected Starters:
C – Jason Kendall
1B – Prince Fielder
2B – Rickie Weeks
3B – Bill Hall
SS – J.J. Hardy
LF – Ryan Braun
CF – Mike Cameron
RF – Corey Hart

SP – Ben Sheets
SP – Jeff Suppan
SP – Dave Bush
SP – Yovani Gallardo
SP – Chris Capuano
CL – Eric Gagne

2008 Outlook: The Brewers ended last season on a down note; it was something that they learned from. This year, they look to be stronger down the stretch.

The line up with see a boost by having Braun up all season – he spent the first 2 months or so in Nashville. They then added Cameron; he’ll push Bill Hall to third and Braun to the outfield, which will help the defense. Kendall should be just as good as Johnny Estrada was last season. If Fielder stays at the same level and Weeks and Hardy play up to their potential, they could have one of the better NL lineups.

The starting pitching looks good; they didn’t add anything and are hoping for Capuano to rebound and Sheets to have an injury free season. Their weak point again is the bullpen. Last year they gave good prospects for a rental of Scott Linebrink – who ran out of town when the season ended with closer Cordero. In their place is Eric Gagne, Guillermo Mota, David Riske, and Salomon Torres. They all have closing experience and any of the latter 3 could be solid set up guys.

Final Prediction: 1st, 91-71

Chicago Cubs

Management: GM – Jim Hendry; Manager – Lou Pinella
Notable Additions: Kosuke Fukudome, Jon Lieber.
Notable Losses: Cliff Floyd, Jacque Jones, Jason Kendall, Craig Monroe, Mark Prior.
Down the Road: Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Rocky Roquet, Geovany Soto.

Projected Starters:
C – Geovany Soto
1B – Derrek Lee
2B – Mark DeRosa
3B – Aramis Ramirez
SS – Ryan Theriot
LF – Alfonso Soriano
CF – Felix Pie
RF – Kosuke Fukudome

SP – Carlos Zambrano
SP – Ted Lilly
SP – Rich Hill
SP – Ryan Dempster
SP – Jason Marquis/Jon Lieber
CL – Kerry Wood

2008 Outlook: The Cubs have as good as shot as anyone to win the Central; they can hit and they can pitch…at least the starters can. Their weak point is still their bullpen. Beyond Carlos Marmol, they don’t know what they have (and Marmol could be considered a question mark since this is only his 2nd full season). Wood is still fragile, as shown by his recent back spasms. Eyre and Howry haven’t been the dominate relievers that they were before they came to Chicago.

The Cubs are also trying to upgrade the hitting. They want someone new at second base; Brian Roberts is their target, but the Orioles are dragging their feet on who they want. The deal could expand to include Jay Payton, as insurance for Felix Pie and a bat off the bench. Pie is ready, but the Cubs are worried about him turning into Corey Patterson part 2. The Cubs have also called the Nationals about Felipe Lopez.

Final Prediction: 2nd Place, 89-73

St. Louis Cardinals

Management: GM – John Mozeliak; Manager – Tony LaRussa
Notable Additions: Matt Clement, Troy Glaus, Cesar Izturis, Kyle Lohse.
Notable Losses: David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Troy Percival, Scott Rolen, Kip Wells,
Down the Road: Jarrett Hoffpauir, Joe Mather, Chris Perez, Colby Rasmus.

Projected Starters:
C – Yadier Molina
1B – Albert Pujols
2B – Adam Kennedy
3B – Troy Glaus
SS – Cesar Izturis
LF – Chris Duncan
CF – Rick Ankiel
RF – Brian Barton

SP – Adam Wainwright
SP – Braden Looper
SP – Kyle Lohse
SP – Todd Wellemeyer
SP – Anthony Reyes
CL – Jason Isringhausen

2008 Outlook: Many have already written the Cardinals off; they have thin pitching and their hitting is a question mark. Pujols’s elbow could blow at any time. Things don’t look good in St. Louis; if they were in any other division they could be counted out. Except they could pull out a “miracle.”

The hitting is average; Glaus is an upgrade over Rolen at this point in their careers. The outfield will either hit a ton, or lead the league in Ks. They do have a question about the lead off hitter; Skip Schumaker will most likely lead off when he plays.

The pitching is what will make or break this team. If the pitching can be half way competent for the first half, they will be competing for the division. Matt Clement is expected back in May, Mark Mulder in June, and Chris Carpenter as early as July; adding those 3 with Wainwright and Lohse will be a good rotation – IF THEY ARE ALL BACK TO THEIR USUAL STANDARDS. If not, they will be middle of the pack.

Final Prediction: 3rd, 82-82

Cincinnati Reds

Management: GM – Wayne Krivsky; Manager – Dusty Baker
Notable Additions: Jermey Affeldt, Francisco Cordero, Josh Fogg, Corey Patterson, Edison Volquez.
Notable Losses: Eddie Guardado, Josh Hamilton.
Down the Road: Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Edison Volquez, Joey Votto.

Projected Starters:
C – David Ross
1B – Joey Votto
2B – Brandon Phillips
3B – Edwin Encarnacion
SS – Alex Gonzalez
LF – Adam Dunn
CF – Corey Patterson
RF – Ken Griffey Jr

SP – Aaron Harang
SP – Bronson Arroyo
SP – Johnny Cueto
SP – Edison Volquez
SP – Josh Fogg
CL – Francisco Cordero

2008 Outlook: The Reds are really the team in limbo – they have some of the piece, but they still have a ways to go. Votto, Phillips, and Encarnacion make a solid infield core; the do need to get younger in the outfield. Dunn is a free agent after the season and Griffey won’t be around much longer. Luckily, they won’t hae to wait long for Jay Bruce; he is considered by some the best prospect in baseball.

The top of the rotation is nice with Harang and Arroyo, but Reds fans have to be worried with their new manager. Dusty Baker has killed more young pitching than any other manager currently in the game (see the Chicago Cubs from a few years ago). Harang, Cueto, Volquez, and Bailey need to be monitored while pitching and Baker won’t do that. Look for at least 1 of the four to be down by the end of the season.

They added the closer they have been without for a while, but the young ‘pen before Cordero is worrisome. It will cost them at least 8 games this year.

Final Prediction: 4th, 73-89

Houston Astros

Management: GM – Ed Wade; Manager – Cecil Cooper
Notable Additions: Geoff Blum, Michael Bourn, Shawn Chacon, Darin Erstad, Kaz Matsui, Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde.
Notable Losses: Matt Albers, Eric Bruntlett, Chris Burke,Adam Everett, Jason Jennings, Mike Lamb, Brad Lidge, Troy Patton, Chad Qualls, Luke Scott,
Down the Road: Felipe Paulino, J.R. Towles.

Projected Starters:
C – J.R. Towles
1B – Lance Berkman
2B – Kaz Matsui
3B – Ty Wigginton
SS – Miguel Tejada
LF – Carlos Lee
CF – Michael Bourn
RF – Hunter Pence

SP – Roy Oswalt
SP – Wandy Rodriguez
SP – Brandon Backe
SP – Shawn Chacon
SP – Woody Williams/Chris Sampson/Jack Cassel
CL – Jose Valverde

2008 Outlook: It’s been two seasons since the Clemens/Pettitte era ended in Houston, and they still haven’t replaced either pitcher. They’ve also lost the 2 longest tenured Killer Bs and they haven’t done much to replace them either. What they have done is mortgaged the future to contend now.

Berkman is still the anchor of the batters; the switch to first base has been huge for his future since it will preserve his knees. To add pop to their lineup, they traded a lot of talent to the Orioles for Tejada. Tejada will be the players that crushes the franchise. He should see a temporary upgrade over anyone they had last year, but his numbers have been on the decline and he was in the infamous Mitchell Report. Pence is the future and he’s going to be a factor; just this coming season he’ll probably regress in his sophomore season.

Oswalt would anchor any rotation in the game, they just don’t have anyone to follow him. Backe and Rodriguez are both question marks and the fight for the final rotation spot is still going between Williams, Sampson, and Cassel. The bullpen now had a bonafide closer with Valverde, but, again, they gave up a lot to get him. Between the starters and Valverde, the are also thin.

Final Prediction: 5th, 71-91

Pittsburgh Pirates

Management: GM – Neil Huntington; Manager – John Russell
Notable Additions: Elmer Dessens, Doug Mientkiewicz.
Notable Losses: Shawn Chacon, Cesar Izturis, Salomon Torres.
Down the Road: Nyjer Morgan, Steve Pearce, Neil Walker.

Projected Starters:
C – Ronny Paulino
1B – Adam LaRoche
2B – Freddy Sanchez
3B – Jose Bautista
SS – Jack Wilson
LF – Jason Bay
CF – Nate McLouth
RF – Xavier Nady

SP – Ian Snell
SP – Tom Gorzelanny
SP – Matt Morris
SP – Zach Duke
SP – Paul Maholm
CL – Matt Capps

2008 Outlook: The Pirates did nothing to help their team; they played poorly last year and will play poorly again. At least the future is bright. The rotation, out side of Morris, is young and learning. They should be able to eat innings and learn on the job; Morris also provides as a mentor which they need.

The hitters are a different story. They have some good players, like Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez, but they also have some guys that wouldn’t be playing for other teams (Bautista, McLouth). Nady should be a platoon player, but they don’t have anyone to platoon him with.

They do have a bright future with Walker and Pierce coming in the infield, and multiple pitchers that could make the team.

Final Prediction: 6th, 59-101