WadesTeam, on 27 February 2012 - 03:42 PM, said:
Hate to say it, but did the Reds really gain that much ground on these two teams during the offseason?
You made a lot of very good points, but I would argue that they
did make up considerable ground.
Reds Differences: Added Ace (Latos), Closer (Madson), Cozart replaces Janish, Rolen back (for now), and possibly Chapman added to rotation.
Really no losses there..... They lost Ramon Hernandez and Edinson Volquez, that's it. If Stubbs and Bruce mature, the Reds should be much better.
The Cardinals lost La Russa and
Albert Pujols. It's a big deal. Berkman and Holliday will be pitched against much more aggressively without Pujols around, and as cubbies4life said, Beltran is a health issue. They did get Wainwright back, but there's no way that his return will entirely compensate for the other issues.
Brewers, same deal. Teams can pitch around Braun now and not worry about the big fella making them pay. Both the Brewers and Cardinals lost figureheads, and transition years always present struggles.
Still saying it is a 3-team race, and I would honestly give the edge to the Brewers right now, but it will be a tight finish as it stands now.