National League Central Landscape (9/24/12)

As the case was on Sunday, Cubbies Crib is unveiling a new weekly series that will be featured on Cubbies Crib. After observing the Chicago sports scene on Sundays, Cubbies Crib will be taking a look at the National League central scene on Monday. Every Monday, we will take a look at what is making news in the division by visiting each of the National League Central team sites that are featured on FanSided.

July 25, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) hits a single against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Cincinnati Reds

• Over at Blog Red Machine, they take a look at the potential playoff roster for the Reds. As the case with many playoff teams, they will be faced with deciding who to keep and who to keep off the roster. This is one of the major flaws to the rosters expanding the during the month of September. Because it allows novice prospects to play a factor in the outcome of divisional races, however, playoff teams are forced to condense their rosters back down to 25 for the playoffs. However, Aaron does a well in-depth piece that would seem to point to the 25 players that will be competing on the Reds’ playoff roster.

Houston Astros

• The Houston Astros are in the final stages of finding a new manager, and Climbing Tal’s Hill expands upon the report that Brad Ausmus will not be the next manager of the Astros. Ausmus was a long-time catcher for the Astros, and is currently managing Team Isreal during the qualifying rounds for the World Baseball Classic. The Astros are expected to decide on their new manager within the next week, and the candidates include Tim Bogar, Tony DeFrancesco, Dave Martinez, and Bo Porter. If Bogar is not named the next manager of the Astros, there has been speculation that he could join the Cubs’ coaching staff under Dale Sveum.

Milwaukee Brewers

• Reviewing the Brew wrote a public letter that apparently fell on depth ears to the Chicago Cubs. The letter pleaded for the Cubs to continue to look past the fact that they were out of contention and win their weekend series against the St Louis Cardinals. As most of you know, the Cubs dropped back to back games against the Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday, thus putting the Cardinals in an improved position to be one of the wild card teams out of the National League instead of the Brewers.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Rum Bunter calls out a local article that suggests if Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is retained, then there will be little changes made to the Pirates. Considering the idea that Pirates have collapsed in each of the past two seasons, Tom Smith says it’s almost impossible to believe that no changes will be made. This is becoming a common trend for the Pirates who have come up short in the later months of the past two seasons, one could suggest, that one of the changes this winter could be the removal of Huntington as the team’s general manager?

St Louis Cardinals

• Redbird Rants has been running a series that takes a look at various Cardinals prospects. Their latest look examines first baseman Matt Adams, who would seem to have the power to play first base at the Major League level. With the departure of Albert Pujols, Justin McClary indicates there was new focus on Adams this season. Adams has an chance to be the Cardinals’ first baseman for the start of the 2013 season, but he first will have to surpass Allen Craig.