Astros: Examining the current baseball landscape this offseason

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 20: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a solo home run against Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

NL Central

Chicago Cubs

Thanks to numerous trades in the past few years, the Cubs’ once-vaunted farm system has lost some luster. Like a lot of teams, the question will come down to the pitching staff. If Yu Darvish rebounds in 2019, he would lead a staff that also has Jose Quintana. The lineup should be fine, especially if Kris Bryant recovers from an injury-filled 2018 season. Still, the favorite in the NL Central going forward, but last year’s division winner in Milwaukee will keep this Chicago squad on its toes.

Milwaukee Brewers

There wasn’t a team that did a better job last offseason than the Brewers. Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain were instrumental in Milwaukee’s’ impressive postseason run. Same praise applies to the bullpen. Like so many teams, the starting rotation remains a point of concern. They could be in the market for another starter, albeit I don’t expect much spending.

St. Louis Cardinals

Three years in a row that the Cardinals have finished behind the Cubs in the standings. It’s also been three years since St. Louis have last qualified for the postseason. They figure to be active in free agency as the club looks for a franchise-altering player after missing out on Stanton last year. Harper and Machado figure to be atop the wish list, but payroll constraints could play a factor. Free-agent Josh Donaldson is another name to watch.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates confuse me quite a bit. Following the Cole trade last winter, a rebuilding transition looked imminent. However, Pittsburgh would eventually trade three well-regarded prospects for right-handed starter Chris Archer last summer. It was a strange acquisition for a team that didn’t make a successful postseason push. Another strange transition year likely await.

Cincinnati Reds

Fresh off their fifth-consecutive losing season, the Reds are a team that cannot afford to let the offseason go by without change. The pitching staff, in particular, needs some attention following a 4.65 ERA/4.68 FIP showing in 2018. There is young talent inching closer to the majors, though. And to celebrate 150 years of baseball in Cincinnati, we’ll likely see some pretty cool throwbacks. Fifteen to be exact. Hint: I like throwbacks.