MLB · 1 year ago

NL Central Arms Race: Best Offseason Add for Each Team

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

St. Louis Cardinals
After a shocking down year for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, which saw them finish in the basement of the NL Central, the Red Birds revamped their starting rotation, headlined by signing AL Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray. The crafty right-hander had a sensational season with the Minnesota Twins and will look to help propel the Cardinals back to the top of the division. St. Louis boasts the shortest odds to win the NL Central at +145, while Gray is also in the mix for the NL Cy Young at +3000.
Chicago Cubs
It felt like Cody Bellinger sticking around with the Chicago Cubs should have been done long ago. Thanks to Scott Boras's overestimation of the market, it wasn't. Still, he ended up staying in Chicago. Bellinger isn't among the top contenders in the NL MVP conversation, but he's still worth some buzz with +10000 odds. Bellinger had a solid bounce-back season in 2023, and all eyes will be on him to continue putting up numbers with the Cubs in 2024.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds surprised a lot of folks with an 82-win campaign in 2023. It looked like an offseason where the Reds would promote some talent from the farm and try to go after an NL Central crown with a big move or two in free agency. That hasn't happened, but they brought in starter Frankie Montas. The righty will look to return to his 2022 form with a Reds team that boasts +430 odds to win the NL Central.
Milwaukee Brewers
After missing all of 2023 with an injury, former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has a new area code with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hoskins enters the mix for a Brewers team desperate to add more offense to their batting order. Hoskins looks healthy and ready to go for the Brewers, which is a positive considering how winable this division is. Despite selling off some pieces, the Brewers still hold +550 odds to capture the NL Central in 2024.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a solid first half in 2023 but tailed off toward the end of the year and ended up in fourth place in the division. With the continued growth of their youngsters, the Pirates expect to continue heading on an upward trajectory in 2024. The issue for the Pirates is off the field with management, who seem reluctant to spend money in free agency. Signing Aroldis Chapman for the backend of their bullpen will help, but management could have given this team more of a chance. The Pirates have the longest odds to win the NL Central at +1600.
St. Louis Cardinals
After a shocking down year for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, which saw them finish in the basement of the NL Central, the Red Birds revamped their starting rotation, headlined by signing AL Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray. The crafty right-hander had a sensational season with the Minnesota Twins and will look to help propel the Cardinals back to the top of the division. St. Louis boasts the shortest odds to win the NL Central at +145, while Gray is also in the mix for the NL Cy Young at +3000.
Chicago Cubs
It felt like Cody Bellinger sticking around with the Chicago Cubs should have been done long ago. Thanks to Scott Boras's overestimation of the market, it wasn't. Still, he ended up staying in Chicago. Bellinger isn't among the top contenders in the NL MVP conversation, but he's still worth some buzz with +10000 odds. Bellinger had a solid bounce-back season in 2023, and all eyes will be on him to continue putting up numbers with the Cubs in 2024.

NL Central Arms Race: Best Offseason Add for Each Team

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