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MLB 2017: National League Central Rankings

By Jason Evans

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs players including Anthony Rizzo (44) , Kris Bryant (17) , Addison Russell (27) and Mike Montgomery celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs players including Anthony Rizzo (44) , Kris Bryant (17) , Addison Russell (27) and Mike Montgomery celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates after scoring a run against the Cleveland Indians in the 10th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates after scoring a run against the Cleveland Indians in the 10th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

We continue our MLB 2017 preview going division by division. Today, we look at the National League central.

Heading towards the end of our division by division look as a part of our MLB 2017 preview here at Call to the Pen. Today, we are going to take a look at the National League Central. The division is separated into two different segments; going for it, and totally rebuilding.

The reigning World Champion Chicago Cubs are coming back to try and repeat with some tweaks to their roster. Aroldis Chapman is gone and replaced by Wade Davis after the Cubs sent Jorge Soler to Kansas City. They’ve added oft-injured Brett Anderson to their rotation and will roll with Albert Almora and Jon Jay in center.

That’s because Dexter Fowler now finds himself with the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. Other than that, it’s a team that looks very similar to last season. albeit without top prospect Alex Reyes who needs Tommy John surgery.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have shuffled around their outfield while making some additions to their bullpen.

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The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds continued their rebuilding process. The Brewers added to their farm system by trading reliever Tyler Thornburg to the Red Sox for a package including Travis Shaw. They also added Eric Thames as a free agent as he comes back from Korea.

The Reds actually signed a couple free agents and traded Brandon Phillips to open up second base.

So how does the division shake out? Let’s take a look.

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