MLB 2008 Season Preview: NL Central

Next up on my preview for the 2008 Major League Baseball Season is the National League Central. Here are the biggest questions which will play a factor in the season for each team.

After watching Wood miss significant time due to injuries each of the last four seasons, it seems obvious that he is not going to make it as a full time starter and stay healthy. So now the Cubs are attempting to move him to the bullpen in an attempt to get a full season out of him. When he has been healthy, he is nothing short of dominant and pitching only one inning at a time, he should really be able to let it fly. So far in Spring Training the initial reports look good.

If Wood can hold down the closer role, it has a tremendous trickle down effect on the entire Cubs pitching staff. Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol provide an excellent tandem of set up men and Ryan Dempster, who is capable of providing 200 innings, can return to the starting rotation, giving the Cubs even more depth and experience there. There are different schools of thought on whether the quantity of innings a starter goes through or the frequent appearances of a relief pitcher cause a greater strain on a pitchers’ arm, so it is tough to predict if the move to the bullpen will keep Wood healthy. Following guidelines similar to the ones the Red Sox set for Jonathan Papelbon last season could be just as beneficial to Wood. If Wood’s health does allow the Cubs pitching to fall into place, they certainly become the easy favorite in the division.

The bullpen should be a little better this season. Francisco Cordero provides them with the lights out closer they lacked last year which means that David Weathers can return to the set up role where he should be more comfortable. After those two, there is much less certainty and if the starters are unable to go deep into ballgames, which is a real possibility outside of Harang and Arroyo, the Reds will be in trouble.

The Astros badly need to Tejada to become the some semblance run producer that he once was. Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman will carry the load of the offense this season as they did last, however, they need the help. Last year Houston ranked ranked 13^th in the National League in runs scored despite Lee and Berkman both driving in over 100 runs. Newly acquired leadoff hitter Michael Bourn and second year outfielder Hunter Pence (returning from injury) should provide excellent table setters. If Tejada can regain some of his offensive prowess, the Astros lineup could become one of more powerful in the league. Unfortunately for Houston, Tejada’s body seems to be breaking down and off the field distractions, which includes the possibility of him losing his green card in light of the federal investigation, will probably lead to another down year.

Sheets always seems on the verge of becoming one of the best young pitchers in the game when he is healthy, but his seasons always end up broken up by frequent stints on the DL for one thing after another. The Brewers have some young pitchers with tons of potential in Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra as well as some serviceable veterans, but they really need Sheets to become the ace of the rotation and innings eater that he is capable of. Unfortunately it is tough to predict if he is past his injuries as they have so often been the unforeseen and freak variety. With him in the rotation, a middle of the road staff becomes one in the top third of the league, something Milwaukee will need in order to compete with the Cubs.

Aside from a couple of good young pitchers in Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny, and the probable debut of centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, not a thing. In typical fashion, the Pirates did nothing to improve themselves over the winter and their awful player development leaves little to be excited about in the future. McCutchen, who will start the season in AAA, is a top 15 prospect according to Scouts, Inc. with the potential for 30 plus home runs. Even when he does get the call to the Majors, it may be a while before we see fireworks. That leaves Pittsburgh with another season of at least 90 losses.