Chicago Cubs: Ranking the NL Central offseason moves

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.

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.

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.

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.