MLB players: The biggest difference makers for all 30 teams in 2020

MLB players: The biggest difference makers in 2020

National League Central

The Cincinnati Reds arguably had the best offseason out of all of the teams in the National League. Dick Williams and Nick Krall added Mike Moustakas, Nicholas Castellanos, and Wade Miley to a team that could make a run for the National League Central.

But the guy that stands out for me is Joey Votto. Nobody paid much attention to him last season because he struggled and I think he would be the first one to admit that. It was his worst year since 2014 when he hit .255 with just 6 homers.

But he still has the best eye in the game at the plate in my opinion so he has the ability to boost his numbers back up in 2020, as he has a lot more help around him in the lineup

The Cardinals were embarrassed by the Nationals in the NLCS in October so they will be looking to get farther in 2020. But if they are going to do that then Matt Carpenter is going to have to perform better. As of right now according to their depth chart, he is not a starter with Tommy Edman as the starting third baseman.

Last year Carpenter was worth less than a win in terms of WAR with a batting average under .230 and a slugging percentage under .400.

But he is going to get chances in Spring Training because Edman can play the outfield as well, so if Carpenter can improve offensively then I think he could be a big piece of St. Louis’ success.

Look, the Cubs had a disappointing end to their season, especially the series in the second to last weekend of the regular season at Wrigley vs the Cardinals when they had a chance to catch them for the Central.

But when they look forward to 2020, the thought should be “We have the offense. It is going to come. We even have a good 1-2 punch in the rotation but the key this season is our bullpen.”

Craig Kimbrel didn’t sign until the summer and after a couple of weeks in Arizona he was sent right into the closer’s role for the Cubs, and I don’t think that was a very good decision.

He only would pitch in 23 games and posted a 6.53 ERA in addition to having the worst opponent batting average of his career at .259.

We all know Kimbrel is one of the best closers to ever pitch in the big leagues so if the 2020 Cubs have the offense led by Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Anthony Rizzo combined with a dominating Craig Kimbrel led bullpen, then they will be in the playoff hunt all season long.

The Brewers made the postseason last year but let their lead go to waste in the Wild Card game, but I think there should be some optimism despite losing guys like Mike Moustakas. And that’s because Christian Yelich is back and healthy.

So he is the X-Factor for Milwaukee because we know that their pitching is not going to push them into the playoffs. But if Yelich can put together yet another MVP-like season then he will give his team a shot.

The Pirates are retooling according to their new GM Ben Cherington, but it doesn’t feel that way to the rest of the baseball world.

So, what is most important for this rebuilding Pittsburgh club is to continue developing its core of MLB players including Bryan Reynolds. He was able to have a great rookie year hitting .314 but it was overshadowed by Pete Alonso.

But if he can repeat that then it won’t go unnoticed among Pirates fans.