2008 Season Review: NL Central

If someone had to guess which division in the National League would get two teams into the playoffs, most would have probably picked the East, with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. But it was the NL Central getting two teams in (Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers). The division race was over by early August, with the Cubs ultimately winning by 7.5 games. The Brewers, on the other hand, needed a victory on the last day of the season, coupled with a Mets loss, to win the wild card and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the championship season of 1982. The rest of the division stayed competitive, with the exception of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, and young players emerged, while veterans continued to perform at high levels.

CHICAGO CUBS (97-64, DIVISION CHAMP)

What worked: Everything went great for the Cubs. Well, up until the calendar changed to October. The team defended their division title and made the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1906-08. They won their 10,000th game as a franchise in April, and built an early lead after the first month of the year.

The club answered Milwaukee’s trade for CC Sabathia by acquiring pitcher Rich Harden from Oakland the next day. Harden went 10-2 in 25 starts, with a 2.07 ERA. Harden, along with Carlos Zambrano, provided the Cubs with a dominant 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation. Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly each won 17 games, and Zambrano pitched a no-hitter, the first for a Cub in 36 years. Closer Kerry Wood saved 34 games in 65 appearances, while being named to the All-Star team for the second time in his career.

Rightfielder Kosuke Fukudome started the season with a three-run, tying homer in the bottom of the ninth against the Brewers, and he was elected to start in the All-Star Game. To top it all off, catcher Geovany Soto was named the NL Rookie of the Year. Soto batted .285 with 23 home runs, and was only the second Cub to win the award (Wood in 1998). The Cubs ended the award-season with Lou Piniella being named NL Manager of the Year.

What didn’t work: Once the calendar struck October, the “Bartman” Curse or the Curse of the Billy Goat, or any other curse fans might want to reference, reared its ugly head. The Cubs finished with the best record in the National League, but they were swept out of the playoffs for the third consecutive time. The “Lovable Losers” have lost nine straight postseason games dating back to the infamous Bartman game against the Marlins. Fukudome, who finished April with a .327 average, got worse every month, finishing the year at .257, including hitting .193 in August and .178 in September. In the series against the Dodgers, the team was outscored 20-6, ending a season that many fans saw as a season of “destiny”.

Shopping List: Dempster didn’t really test the market, instead signing with the Cubs for four years and $52 million. Closer Kerry Wood is a free agent, but the team acquired Kevin Gregg in a trade with the Florida Marlins, so Wood will not be back. Padre pitcher Jake Peavy, and the Cubs pursuit of him, could put other moves by the team on hold. GM Jim Hendry has said he would like a left-handed power bat for the middle of the order. Raul Ibanez (who the team went after at this past season’s trade deadline) and Bobby Abreu have been mentioned, and Pat Burrell, after winning the World Series for the Phillies, could be another option, though he’d likely have to switch to right field. The addition of Gregg means Carlos Marmol will close, with Gregg as his set-up man who could also close, which keeps the bullpen strong. Look for the team to add another reliever and a veteran bat off the bench.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (90-72, 7.5 GB, WILD CARD)

What worked: Team owner Mark Attanasio made a “big” splash in early July by acquiring pitcher CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians. Sabathia, along with late-season heroics from Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun (combined 71 homers), among others, propelled the Brew Crew into the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

Sabathia went 11-2 in 17 starts for the Brewers, including seven complete games. His ERA was 1.65 and his performance got him mentioned as a Cy Young (he finished fifth in the balloting) and MVP candidate in the National League even though he played only half a season.

Rightfielder Corey Hart was a pleasant surprise, hitting 20 homers while driving in 91 runs (third on the team). Salomon Torres saved 28 games, while Ben Sheets (13) and Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra (10 each) all won double-digit games.

What didn’t work: The fact that the Brewers were beaten in four games by the Phillies, while disappointing, cannot be considered a letdown. The bullpen, on the other hand, can be considered a monumental failure. The team blew 26 saves last season, and considering Torres had a 4.70 ERA in the second half, he cannot be counted on for another 28 saves. The team, with offensive stars like Fielder, Braun and JJ Hardy, only scored 750 runs, which was seventh in the NL. 2B Rickie Weeks, who showed such promise in the past, batted .234, while 3B Bill Hall hit .225. The team didn’t have a player with over 75 RBIs besides Braun, Fielder and Hart. The team fired manager Ned Yost in September, a move that was very unorthodox considering it was right in the middle of the pennant race. Interim skipper Dale Sveum got the team into the playoffs, but he wasn’t given a chance for the full-time job, which went to former Oakland A’s skipper Ken Macha.

Shopping List: Aside from Sabathia, the team has Sheets, Eric Gagne, and Torres as free agents of impact. Assuming Sabathia doesn’t accept the Brewers’ offer (somewhere around $100 million) and Sheets leaves as well, the team will need two starting pitchers. Jon Garland has been mentioned as a possible replacement, and there have been rumors that GM Doug Melvin will explore trading Fielder and/or Cameron to land another top pitcher. Sheets would be retained, but his health problems concern the team. The Brewers have shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar waiting, so JJ Hardy could either be traded or moved to second base, allowing the team to cut ties with Weeks. A top-flight closer such as Brian Fuentes would bring about immediate help to the bullpen, and they may look to add additional pieces to the pen as well.

HOUSTON ASTROS (86-75, 11 GB)

What worked: Lance Berkman had a huge first half, and finished the season with a .312 average, 29 home runs and 106 RBI. Roy Oswalt went 17-10 and threw over 200 innings for the fifth consecutive season, and newcomer Miguel Tejada, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in December 2007, batted .283, though he saw a considerable drop in his power numbers (only 13 homers and 66 RBI). Closer Jose Valverde saved 44 games in his first season for the ‘Stros, and the bullpen kept the team in games throughout the year. Veteran starter Randy Wolf went 6-2 in 12 starts after being acquired in a late-season trade. Hunter Pence and Ty Wigginton were the other Astros besides Berkman and Lee to hit over 20 home runs. Pence hit 25 and drove in 85 runs, while Wigginton hit 23 with only 58 RBI.

What didn’t work: The team struggled to get on base, and an injury to Carlos Lee didn’t help the team drive in the few runners that did get on. Lee played in only 115 games, but still hit 28 home runs and drove in 100 RBI. That would’ve been over 40 and 130 with another 25-30 games. Outfielder Michael Bourn, who was the key piece received from Philadelphia in the Brad Lidge deal, batted only .229, though he did have 41 steals. Wigginton only drove in 58 runs despite hitting 23 homers, which helped keep the Astros in the bottom of the National League in runs scored (they finished 11th with 712).

Shopping List: GM Ed Wade considers resigning free agent Wolf a priority. LaTroy Hawkins provided a big lift after being acquired and was already re-signed to an extension. Wade would love to add a No. 2 starter to slot behind Oswalt and ahead of Wolf, and Oswalt is supposedly pressuring Wade to either trade for Jake Peavy or sign Ben Sheets. The Astros don’t have a lot of money to spend, so a trade for Peavy or signing of Sheets is probably not realistic, so expect Wade to search teams’ lists of arbitration-eligible players. An upgrade at catcher and center field is also needed, and Bourn could be traded if the team can find a better alternative.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (86-76, 11.5 GB)

What worked: All-time great Albert Pujols won his third MVP award, batting .357 (second in NL) with 37 homers and 116 RBI. Outfielder Ryan Ludwick (37 homers and 117 RBI) emerged and was named to his first all-star team. Rick Ankiel hit 25 homers, while third baseman Troy Glaus added 27 bombs and 99 RBI. The team was fourth in the National League in runs scored with 779. Kyle Lohse, in his first season after signing a four-year, $41 million extension, was 15-6, and Todd Wellmeyer (13), Braden Looper (12), and Adam Wainwright (11) all had more than 10 victories. Catcher Yadier Molina hit over .300 for the first time in his career.

What didn’t work: The bullpen was a disaster, for the most part. Longtime closer Jason Isringhausen lost his role to Ryan Franklin, then openly lobbied to get his job back. Franklin finished the season with 17 saves, with Isringhausen saving 12 games, but with a 5.70 ERA. For $17.5 million, the team got four combined starts from Chris Carpenter (3) and Mark Mulder (1). Ankiel was productive when healthy, but he only played 120 games. Adam Kennedy and Cesar Izturis didn’t provide the team the needed offense up the middle, and both could be replaced next season.

Shopping List: The team was in the market for two lefty relievers, and they supposedly have a deal with former Tampa Bay Ray Trever Miller, but it hasn’t been made official. The team is going to try and upgrade second base, with Orlando Hudson a candidate, and shortstop, with former Cardinal Edgar Renteria possibly signing with his old club. The team doesn’t have a Scott Rolen-type trade to make, and though they could probably get a huge bounty for Ludwick or even Ankiel, they probably don’t have the pressing need to make such a move. Rookie general manager John Mozeliak needs to add to the team to give Tony LaRussa and his team a chance to compete in 2009.

CINCINNATI REDS (74-88, 23.5 GB)

What worked: For a team that finished almost 25 games out of first place, not much could’ve gone right. But the team was able to find takers for Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. in late-season deals, acquiring prospects and shedding salary. Pitcher Edinson Volquez went 17-6 in his first big-league season. First baseman Joey Votto had a breakout year, including hitting three homers on May 7, finishing with 24 homers and 84 RBI, which is a Reds rookie record. Second baseman Brandon Phillips had another solid season, belting 21 home runs. Right fielder Jay Bruce played 108 games after being called up from Triple-A, and he added 21 homers to the Reds’ lineup. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion played well, hitting 26 homers, but he only drove in 68. Veteran righty Bronson Arroyo went 15-11, and closer Francisco Cordero saved 34 games.

What didn’t work: Pitching wasn’t the team’s strength in 2008. Aside from Volquez and Arroyo, the team didn’t have a reliable starter, and none of the others had a winning record. Aaron Harang went 6-17, while Johnny Cueto went 9-14. Heralded prospect Homer Bailey started eight games and went 0-6, and Josh Fogg went 2-7. The team’s offense wasn’t much better, finishing 12th in the National League in runs (704) and OPS (.729). They were also tied for 13th in fielding percentage (.981). Griffey was traded but, before the deal, he struggled, hitting only .245 with 15 homers in 102 games. Dunn, who was also traded, batted only .233 with 120 strikeouts before being traded.

Shopping List: GM Walt Jocketty has his work cut out for him as he tries to give manager Dusty Baker a more formidable everyday lineup. The team would like to re-sign veteran reliever David Weathers and utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. Pitcher Jeremy Affeldt won’t be back, as he signed with the San Francisco Giants for two years and $8 million. Jocketty could use Ryan Freel as trade bait, and pitcher Micah Owings, acquired in the Adam Dunn deal from Arizona, could be moved, if Baker doesn’t see him as the No. 5 starter.  Jocketty would love to add a significant free agent, like they did with Cordero, and a corner outfielder makes the most sense.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (67-95, 30.5 GB)

What worked: Pretty much nothing went well for the Bucs. Centerfielder Nate McClouth won a Gold Glove, and he was the team’s lone all-star representative. He tied Lance Berkman for the National League lead in doubles with 46, and he hit 26 homers and drove in 94 runs. Catcher Ryan Doumit led the team with a .318 average, and Adam LaRoche was second on the team with 25 home runs. Young centerfielder Nyjer Morgan played in 58 games, batting .294 and showing flashes at the position. Closer Matt Capps was the team’s best reliever, saving 22 games with a 3.02 ERA.

What didn’t work: Just about everything went wrong for the Pirates, who have now had 16-consecutive losing seasons, tied for the longest losing-season streak in major league history. The team traded fan-favorite Jason Bay to Boston at the trade deadline, and the early-season trade of outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Damaso Marte indicated the team’s lack of hope in 2008. The team had the highest ERA in the NL, a whopping 5.08. Apparent No. 1 starter Zach Duke went 5-14, Ian Snell went 7-12 and Tom Gorzelanny went 6-9. Paul Maholm was the only starter without a losing record, as he went 9-9.

Shopping List: GM Neil Huntington wants to add at least one veteran starter and a power hitter, but he doesn’t want to commit long-term money, and playing for the Pirates isn’t exactly on the top of the list for most free agents. Free agent Paul Byrd and Huntington have a good relationship from their time spent in Cleveland.

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is the type of veteran leader the team should re-sign, but you cannot blame Mientkiewicz if he wants to go to a place with a better chance of winning. In terms of trades, the Pirates have former batting champ Freddy Sanchez to dangle, and shortstop Jack Wilson thinks he’ll be traded, though his value is surely lower after driving in only 22 runs. Andy LaRoche, acquired in the three-way trade of Bay that involved Manny Ramirez, didn’t make a big impression in his two months in Pittsburgh, and catcher Ronny Paulino probably played his way out of town.

The team made an interesting move in late November by signing two Indian (meaning from India) pitchers who won a reality show contest in India. 20-year-old right-hander Dinesh Patel and 19-year-old southpaw Rinku Singh will both participate in the team’s Minor League Spring Training in February. Both pitchers were discovered while participating in India’s Million Dollar Arm challenge that began last December. The event was designed to find the country’s most powerful and accurate arm and had more than 30,000 participants.