Chicago Cubs: Ranking the NL Central offseason moves

1 of 6

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

This winter, it seems the NL Central has been very active–except for the Chicago Cubs. There have been a few moves, but nothing like many hoped or expected. The offseason isn’t over. But time is running out for the Cubs to be on the right side of this list.

There’s no question that it’s been a wild offseason in the NL Central thus far. It appears the Cincinnati Reds are making a push to contend now, and the St. Louis Cardinals have gotten tired of not competing for the last three seasons. In a division that’s always been competitive appears it’s ready to take it to another level in 2019. With less than a month until pitchers and catchers report, we wanted to rank our offseason’s of the NL Central, as this will help us get an idea of what to expect from our division this year.

Are the Chicago Cubs done making moves? It does sound like Bryce Harper and Scott Boras will give the Cubs a “final chance” to make an offer. But that’s only because Boras knows the Cubs have the money. Will they use it is the question. I don’t see the division changing much more than it is now unless the Reds get J.T. Realmuto.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Chicago Cubs still have the edge on someone this offseason

It seems as though the Bucco’s have hung their hat on the Chris Archer trade at the 2018 deadline as they’ve been very quiet this offseason. The Archer move was a great one, as well as the move for reliever Keone Kela, and the Pirates appear to have a strong rotation heading into the season. Despite this, they have not been very active in the offseason.

The only notable acquisition has been pitcher Jordan Lyles. The plan is for Lyles to be the last guy in the rotation, rounding out a solid group. The Pirates, despite losing Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, and Ivan Nova, appear to be content with their team heading into 2019. They will definitely be an intriguing team to watch, but come in at fifth on our list due to a lack of activity compared to the rest of the central.

4. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have been very quiet this winter–too quiet

An offseason with a ton of speculation followed up by a whole lot of nothing. For Cubs fans, this offseason has been disappointing, to say the least, but the team believes they already have all they need. The offseason started with a Drew Smyly trade to make room to re-sign Cole Hamels. An exciting move as Cole turned into a fan favorite in his short time in Chicago. The Cubs also signed utility man Daniel Descalso and reliever Brad Brach.

For the money, the Cubs had to spend, or lack thereof, they made smaller moves for great value. Descalso will bring in veteran leadership with an ability to move all over the field which Joe loves. Brach will bring the Cubs much-needed bullpen help, and he does have an All-Star appearance next to his name from 2016. The Cubs have said they would like to wait until towards the end of the offseason to see prices drop, so more may come, but for now they come in at fourth on our list.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Milwaukee Brewers

The Chicago Cubs gave away the Central, by ONE game

Milwaukee has had an exciting offseason so far. They’ve traded Domingo Santana and lost Xavier Cedeno, Jonathon Schoop, Dan Jennings, Curtis Granderson, Wade Miley, Gio Gonzalez, Mike Moustakas, Joakim Soria, and Jordan Lyles all to free agency, all considerable additions to their NL Central Championship team. These losses will hurt, but additions of Cory Spangenberg, Yasmani Grandal, and Jake Petricka will be huge, especially Grandal.

The Brew Crew have been in need of a stud catcher ever since Jonathon Lucroy, and Yasmani will fit that need. Spangenberg will be a great utility man, and Petricka will be an excellent addition to the bullpen. The Brewers have a great core, and these additions will help despite the losses. The addition of Grandal was so big for Milwaukee that it puts them ahead of Pittsburgh and the Cubs on our list.

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

2. St. Louis Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs may have thought the Cards were fading

The Cardinals have killed this offseason. They made the blockbuster trade to acquire Paul Goldschmidt without giving up anything substantial. The two main players they gave up were Luke Weaver and Carson Kelly, two solid players but with no room for the spotlight in St Louis. A great move for both sides here.

They also added reliever Andrew Miller, who has the potential to be one of the best relievers in baseball, despite some injuries this past season. The Cardinals have gotten tired of sitting on the bench come October, and they made that clear with these offseason moves so far. Although the quantity of their additions is small, the quality is phenomenal, and the Cards will be a force in 2019.

1.Cincinnati Reds

The Chicago Cubs had a hard enough time with the Reds last year

The Reds, to most people’s surprise, went all in this offseason. It started with a blockbuster trade to acquire Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood from the Dodgers. They then went and traded for Sonny Gray, and signed Tanner Roark in free agency. After all this, they have now inserted themselves in the mix for arguably the best catcher in baseball, J.T. Realmuto. The Reds have been irrelevant, but they appear ready to make a strong push in 2019.

Next. Can Almora find success in 2019?. dark

With an already great offense, they’ve added firepower to the lineup as well as addressing needs to one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball. Adding three solid starters to join young stud Luis Castillo and Anthony DeSclafani, the Reds now have a rotation not to be overlooked. With All-Stars bats Kemp and Puig entering the lineup, pitchers are going to be afraid to face this lineup. The Reds have had the best offseason in not only the NL Central so far but in all of baseball.

Home / Chicago Cubs News