2007 MLB Preview Part 2
National League Central

Could this be the year on the North Side? That’s what everyone’s asking after the Cubs exorbitant spending spree during the offseason. Cubs ownership viewed the end of the Dusty Baker Era as a disaster so they brought in “Sweet Lou” Piniella to run the ship. He ought to be a real treat to spend the summer with. On the field, they overspent to bring in CF Alfonso Soriano, though dynamic, strikes out on average 140 times a year (far too often for a table setter). Also 2B Mark DeRosa came to the North Side via free agency via Texas. He had a career year in ’06, whether that was an anomaly or indicative of an upward trend remains to be seen. It’s another expensive gamble. 3B Aramis Ramirez was re-signed, and together with (a healthy) Derrek Lee, the Cubs will not lack for power. SS Cesar Izturis came over at the trade deadline last year, and if he’s healthy, will provide the Cubs with a terrific glove. The outfield will feature Soriano, RF Jacque Jones, former Red Sox prospect Matt Murton, and the well-traveled Cliff Floyd.

On the mound, the Cubs have an ace in Carlos Zambrano. They brought in lefty Ted Lilly (who always killed the Red Sox) from Toronto and Jason Marquis from St. Louis. The Lilly signing made sense, but Marquis? Maybe he’s an innings eater, but his WHIP was north of 1.5 and his ERA was 6+. Lefty (native Bostonian) Rich Hill will grab the four spot and Mark “Glass Arm” Prior looks to regain his health and dominance. In the bullpen, mercurial Ryan Dempster looks to be the closer with Kerry “Glass Arm 2” Wood. The Cubs have put together a great starting lineup. The questions are whether the back end of the rotation can remain healthy and the bullpen provide consistent relief. If so, they’ll be in the hunt. If not, then it’ll be another fun summer of waiting at Wrigley.

Milwaukee: Our next stop is the Town that Made Beer Famous. The Brewers have done a marvelous job of integrating young studs into the everyday lineup and 2007 will be the year that the talent comes to fruition. 2B Rickie Weeks, 1B Prince Fielder, CF Bill Hall, RF Corey Hart, 3B Ryan Braun and SS J.J. Hardy are ready to explode onto the scene as legitimate contenders. The only “veteran” is LF Geoff Jenkins, who is admittedly streaky and injury prone, but is a fine player when he’s on his game. C Johnny Estrada came over from Arizona to bring stability to the pitching corps. The Brew Crew has three pretty good starters in Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano and Jeff Suppan. Their bullpen is OK, with Francisco Cordero having taken the place of the faltering Derrick Turnbow. The bottom line is that the Brewers boast one of the most promising everyday lineups in the majors. If everything clicks right, they have a serious shot at the title or the Wild Card. The back end of the rotation and the relief corps will answer that question.

St. Louis: The Accidental Champions of 2006 return looking to repeat. Having won only 83 games in the last regular season, it’s difficult to project what they’ll do this year. Could they win the Division title again this year? Certainly, the everyday lineup returns intact with the addition of 2B Adam Kennedy from the Angels. There’s not an easy out in the lineup. That being said, the problem will be starting pitching. Suppan, Jason Marquis and Jeff Weaver departed via free agency and Mark Mulder won’t return until mid-season. This leaves New Hampshire’s Chris Carpenter to hold down the fort with the likes of Kip Wells. Anthony Reyes, Adam Wainwright and closer Jason Isringhausen will need to be at the top of their games if the Cards seriously hope to reach the postseason this year. The bottom line is that the Cards will suffer a hangover and the lack of pitching depth will leave them watching the playoffs from their living rooms.

Houston: The Astros almost made it to the top last year, and made a number of moves that they hope will put them over the top. Jeff Bagwell has finally retired after his shoulder proved unable to withstand the rigors of the game. Can you imagine that the Red Sox gave him away for a one-month rental (Larry Andersen) in 1990? That trade still hurts. Needing a power bat in the every day lineup, they overspent to obtain the rather large Carlos Lee from Texas, who ought to be good for one year (before he eats the team out from under house and home). In signing Lee, they “neglected” Andy Pettitte, who returned to the Bronx. They filled Pettitte’s spot by trading for Colorado’s Jason Jennings, who will give them innings. Roy Oswalt will be the ace of the Astros’ staff, and they're hoping that hometown boy Clemens graces them come June for yet another farewell tour. They have an average everyday lineup led by 2B Craig Biggio and 1B Lance Berkman (45 HR in ’06), Lee and decent power with 3B Morgan Ensberg. All in all, they’re a good bet to put up a lot of runs, especially in that chicken coop at home.

The concern is pitching. Having Woody Williams as your #3 starter is a red flag, don’t you think? Then, there are issues concerning their once-unhittable closer, Brad Lidge. Sure, he saved 32 games last year, but had a 5.28 ERA and WHIP over 1.4.

The bottom line is that they’re weaker on the mound than 2006. If Clemens doesn’t return it would be difficult to see Houston rising above third place.

Cincinnati: Moving onto the lovely Queen City, where baseball is king. The Reds have a good team, a “nice” team. All-Star Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang will be at the top of the rotation for Los Rojos. After that, it’s pretty much a collection of unknowns, has-beens and journeymen who’ll be “toeing the rubber”. They brought in SS Alex Gonzalez, so there will be no worries at short. Red Sox fans will fondly remember him as the finest fielding shortstop to ever grace Fenway. Too bad it was only for one year. Boston’s loss is Cincinnati’s gain. LF Adam Dunn should be good for 40 homers and 400 strikeouts and 2B Brandon Phillips looks to improve on his breakout year (hopefully, he’s stashed away those gloves which were inscripted with “The Franchise”…). Meanwhile, questions abound regarding the real “Franchise”, Ken Griffey, Jr. It’s sort of hard to believe that Junior’s getting long in the tooth (37). Since having come east with the Reds in 2000, he’s had two relatively injury free seasons. He hit 27 homers in 109 games last year, and if he’s healthy, may have no problem reaching the 600 HR milestone (an event far more noteworthy than that of a certain pantload by the Bay). Let’s hope that some magic remains. Another item worth watching is the development of CF Josh Hamilton. Ham was the #1 overall pick in ’99 and life thereafter was a train wreck of substance abuse and trouble with the law. Clean and sober for nearly two years, he’s looking to finally hit the majors as a Rule V Pick. A lot of people are pulling very hard for this kid to make The Show. So far in spring, he’s done nothing but turn heads with his offensive prowess.

The bottom line with the Red Legs is the lack of depth in the rotation. This is a third-place team at best in a highly competitive division.


Pittsburgh: Bringing up the rear once more will be the boys from Iron City. They were relatively quiet in the offseason, their only big splash being the acquisition of 1B Adam LaRoche from Atlanta for closer Mike Gonzalez. Freddie Sanchez won the NL batting title last year (“why can’t we get players like that?”) and Jason Bay is a flat-out stud. Chris Duffy will provide speed at the top of the lineup and reliable Jack Wilson will provide veteran leadership at short. Jose Castillo moves from second to third and ought to provide 15-20 homers…as far as working the Hot Corner, that remains to be seen.

The Bucs have promising starters in Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny. At this point the promise has yet to be fulfilled. They’ve also brought in the oft-injured Tony Armas to plug a hole in the rotation, but he’s no more than a journeyman. The Pirates will exceed the 67-win mark of a year ago, but will still fall below .500 and rest comfortably at the bottom…but things are definitely on the upswing. Please, get rid of that awful logo, who could root for such a hideous and absurd cartoon character? If I were a six-year old, I’d be frightened something awful.