Central Division Anyone?

[bucksfan2]

Carpenter has been hit a bit early this season, but at the end of the day he's still Chris Carpenter. If I'm the Cards I'm not worrying about him one bit [unless of course they know of some nagging malady].

The division is the Cards to lose, but the post does illustrate that there are problems for us all so hope can at least trickle its way into our dreams at night.

Don't really know what to think of Carpenter. Guy is 35 and has had 3 injury shortened seasons over the past decade. So yea at the end of the day he still is Chris Carpenter, whatever that is.

[REDblooded]

Don't really know what to think of Carpenter. Guy is 35 and has had 3 injury shortened seasons over the past decade. So yea at the end of the day he still is Chris Carpenter, whatever that is.

I can't stay far away enough from players 33 and older... This isn't 10 years ago where players could "magically" avoid aging...

[Will M]

Every team in the Central has some serious flaws. I think St Louis is the best team on paper and I think our Reds are the one team in the division that can challenge. As for the other teams here are my thoughts.

Cubs - Just a team on the fringe of implosion. Soriano and Fukudome both have awful contracts and won't be able to move. The pen is a disaster than their roster is getting older. Lee and Ramirez are good players but can they stay healthy? Lou's walks to the mound will continue to get longer as the season goes along.

Brewers - Pitching issues. I thought they were being overshadowed this season but they look to have pitching issues up and down their staff. I almost look for Prince to be traded at some point this season. He was upset when Braun got a long term contract and expect him to be gone.

Astro's - Talk about an organization in bad shape. Their stars are all at the tail end of their careers and they have little in the pipeline. McClane may try to spend himself out of it but I don't see it working.

Pirates - Heading in the right direction but I don't think any success will be seen for another couple of years.

yep.

the Cards starters are about equal to the Reds overall. they have a great 1-2 but a weak 3-4-5. we have a solid 1-2-3-4-5. IMO our pen is better. Their pen was very lucky last year (fangraphs had a nice article on this).
offensively they have two studs surrounded by youth & solid but unspectacular vets. we have one stud surrounded by youth & solid but unspectacular. IMO the Reds are one thumper short & the Cards clearly are the better team. I felt this way all winter. if Walt had the money he could have swung a trade that brought us that thumper and we could win this year.

now if Carpenter suddenly goes from Cy Young to Mr Generic then we absolutely can beat them this year.

the Cubs look ugly. weak 4th & 5th starters, weak middle relief, lots of holes other than Lee & Ramirez.

the Brewers seem to do better than i think they will every year. i do agree that on paper they need a lot more pitching. i think the Reds are ahead of them.

Astros: toast

Pirates: the only team we always finish ahead of !

[nate]

I can't stay far away enough from players 33 and older... This isn't 10 years ago where players could "magically" avoid aging...

Nor is it Logan's Run where all players are useless after age 30.

[REDblooded]

Nor is it Logan's Run where all players are useless after age 30.

Nobody said "useless"... However, at some point these guys hit a wall and decline... So far Carpenter is 35 and hasn't declined. Could this be the season that it happens?

[Strikes Out Looking]

I believe, if the Reds can hit it is their division to win, because for the first time in my lifetime (and I'm 45), they have the pitching needed to contend.

[Captain Hook]

I believe, if the Reds can hit it is their division to win, because for the first time in my lifetime (and I'm 45), they have the pitching needed to contend.

I agree.It's too bad that's a really big IF that appears less and less likely to happen every time the team takes the field.

[hebroncougar]

I believe, if the Reds can hit it is their division to win, because for the first time in my lifetime (and I'm 45), they have the pitching needed to contend.

Whoa.........the 1990 Reds say hello.

[Strikes Out Looking]

Whoa.........the 1990 Reds say hello.

I should have clarified this--they have the deepest amount of starting pitching I've ever seen on a Reds team.