NL Central Up for Grabs

It's early in 2007, but all the off-season moves indicate the National League Central is open for most, if not all teams. The Chicago Cubs have to be front-runners because of their winter spending spree. They made the biggest splash by signing Alfonso Soriano to play center field and re-signing third baseman Aramis Ramirez. But spending money, doesn't guarantee victories. Adding Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis bolstered the pitching staff, but neither is a top-notch starter. Marquis especially is coming off a few seasons he would rather forget.

St. Louis looks like a long shot to repeat as World Series champions, but never count a Tony Larussa led club out. The Redbirds suffered some big pitching losses, in Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver. They will need youngster Adam Wainwright to step up along with newcomer Kip Wells. The Jim Edmonds, Albert Pujols, and Scott Rolen combination is intact for another year, and still strikes fear in most clubs. Although, Edmonds is certainly on the decline and they will need Rolen to stay healthy all year. Their recent signing of Preston Wilson may be the biggest move the Cardinals made all winter.

Milwaukee shored up their rotation this winter by signing Jeff Suppan and dealing for Claudio Vargas. If Billy Hall and Prince Fielder have an '07 as good as their '06, and Ben Sheets is finally healthy, this could be a team to reckon with. The Brew Crew may have the best starting five in the Central with Sheets, Chris Capuano, Suppan, Dave Bush, and Vargas. Throw in a healthy J.J. Hardy, and this could be their year for a playoff berth. I'm interested to see what happens at third base though. Will Corey Koskie be ready to play? If not, Craig Counsell or Tony Graffanino needs to fill that void.