St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals currently find themselves at 49 - 42 and in first place in the NL Central. This is certainly a position not many people figured them to be in at the beginning of the season. They figure to be a factor the rest of the season as well, showing no signs of slowing down. Offensively, they have the greatest player on the planet in Albert Pujols leading them. I predict a second half explosion from Mr. Pujols that will see him win the triple crown award. I also see the Cardinals lose a bunch of games in the process, because there will be a time eventually that he gets the Barry Bonds treatment (repeated intentional walks) and force the other hitters in the lineup (Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Mark DeRosa) to beat the opposing team.
That could very well be the achilles heel for the Cardinals. They have had much maligned hitting outside of Pujols and Colby Rasmus this season. Adding Mark DeRosa, who now finds himself on the disabled list helps, but they could use something more. (perhaps call up Billy Beane and see how Matt Holliday is feeling? Or call up the Pirates and ask about the availability of Jack Wilson? I'm not saying they need 40 home runs, they just need somebody to make contact).
On the pitching side of things, Adam Wainwright has been nothing short of their ace after the first half of the season and I see no reason why that won't continue into the second half. Chris Carpenter, even with his oblique injury from early in the season, seems to be rounding into top form and pitching like he used to. With Joel Piniero having a good first half and Kyle Lohse expected to get into the swing of things after being out so long with a forearm injury, the Cardinals can make some noise with their rotation. They aren't going away any time soon.
What can I say about their bullpen? Ryan Franklin is a beast. 0.79 era? Are you kidding me? Dude's got a sick beard too. After trading Chris Perez for Mark DeRosa last month, the Cardinals could use another arm in the pen, but I think with their rotation and Albert mashing at the plate, the second half should be just as good as the first half for the Cards.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers lost Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia in the off-season. Yet, somehow they are 45 - 43 and only 2.5 games behind the Central leading Cardinals. Words can't even express the surprise I have in that. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun have been nothing short of outstanding through the first half of the season, combining for 38 home runs and 136 runs batted in. Couple that with the impressive season Mike Cameron has had and their offense is in pretty good order. They could certainly use another bat, whether it's attempting to trade for a Victor Martinez type impact bat, or a lesser commodity such as an Aubrey Huff or a Garrett Atkins. They need to find some way to get something out of their middle infielders, which they are yet to do this year. Rickie Weeks' season ending injury hurts, as well as J.J. Hardy's struggles at the plate. I would mention Bill Hall, but he's so bad I won't even waste my breath.
Pitching wise, to quote Ryan Braun "they need some help". Yovani Gallardo is having a fine season with a 3.22 era, but he has just an 8 - 7 record to show for it. And after Gallardo, it gets pretty ugly. Jeff Suppan and Braden Looper both have era's near 5. Dave Bush has an era over 5.50 and Manny Parra was banished to the minor leagues, only to see himself and his 6.78 era get quickly recalled. They need to make a trade for somebody, badly. It doesn't matter if they somehow scrounge together enough prospects to make an offer for Roy Halladay (you'd have to lose either Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder though...), or lesser deals to get the likes of a Jon Garland. Hell, you made that blockbuster deal with the Indians last year for Sabathia, give them a call and see if you can replicate that for Cliff Lee. Either way, you need help and you need it now. The only way the Brewers can have a successful second half is to make a deal. Sadly, I don't think they will, so Milwaukee fans will have to look forward to a great year from their Bucks! (crap, sorry, they suck...ugh, wait till next year)
Chicago Cubs
To say the Cubs first half was a disappointment would be a colossal understatement. Having a .500 record at 43 - 43 after the first half of play, after being a consensus pick to win the division easily (and the World Series by some.....oops), the Cubbies have been the model of inconsistency throughout the year. Inconsistent hitting, mediocre pitching, shoddy defense, you name it, they've sucked at it.
But, I truly believe the Cubs can turn this around, after all, they are only 3.5 games out of first place and I think they can do it (mostly) internally. On the offensive side of things, the Cubs have seen themselves get incredibly under-whelming seasons thus far out of Alfonso Soriano, Mike Fontenot, Milton Bradley, reigning Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto and until recently first baseman Derrek Lee. With the recent return of All-Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs offense experienced a much needed jolt.
The only thing that could help the Cubs out more is if Alfonso Soriano remembered what a "base hit" was. He's been absolutely brutal batting a putrid (vocab word of the day) .233 and an on-base percentage of .298, which is bad even for him. In the ways of possible trades, the Cubs could look to acquire an Aubrey Huff type to add a little extra oomph to their lineup. They could also look to replace Mike Fontenot/Andres Blanco with a Felipe Lopez or a Ty Wiggington type as well. But, after missing out on re-acquiring Mark Derosa, I'm not sure the Cubbies will pull the trigger on any deals. It looks like the offensive woes may be up to Fonzi, Soto and Bradley (sounds like characters from Happy Days).
On the pitching side of things, if at the beginning of the year, I told you that Randy Wells and his 2.72 era would be the best pitcher the Cubs have had this season, in a rotation filled with Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, how many of you would have agreed with me? Nobody, exactly. The Cubs starting rotation could not be any more shakey than it is right now. Carlos Zambrano is a walking, talking, psychotic bomb waiting to explode at the drop of the hat. Ryan Dempster may be either the most hard lucked SOB or the most fragile, after breaking his toe and landing on the disabled list. Rich Harden, (oh wait, here's the most fragile human being alive), has pitched terribly in his return from his normal first half disabled list trip. But, on the bright side, Harden is likely to string together a beautiful string of 7 or 8 starts and go on a nice run...before he gets injured again. Seriously, wait for it. It's going to happen. Write that down right now.
The bullpen headed by the likes of Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, has sure been a roller coaster ride of excitement for Lou Pinella, since Marmol is a one man Jekkyl and Hyde show. Relying too heavily on arms like Aaron Heilman, Jeff Samardzija and Sean Marshall could end up biting the Cubs right in the behind. They're definitely in the market for whatever arms may be available. Regardless of all that, I still think the Cubs can turn it around and get back to their winning ways (....after over 100 years)
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a tough team to gauge. While their 44 - 44 record and being tied with the Cubs for 3rd place in the NL Central, unlike the Cubs, I think the Astros are going in the other direction. I don't think they have the talent to stay competitive with the likes of the Cardinals, Cubs or Brewers for the remainder of the season.
It's because of that, I think they will likely be sellers come the trade deadline and not much of a factor in the playoff hunt come late-August and September. They certainly boast a number of interesting trade candidates, should they choose to go that route. Short Stop Miguel Tejada is having a phenomenal year, batting .329 with 7 home runs and could see himself traded to a team that has a glaring need in the infield (Boston Red Sox). Center Fielder Michael Bourn is having a terrific year with a .286 average and 32 stolen bases. He could provide much needed speed in the outfield and on the bench for any number of teams (Cubs, Tigers, Mets, Angels).
The pitching staff boasts two arms that would be ultimately valuable to at least half of the league; Latroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde. Last season, Latroy Hawkins couldn't get a single person out as a member of the Yankees. After being traded mid-season to the Astros, it seems Hawkins found the fountain of youth (of a vile of Tejada's "vitamin b12"), and he hasn't missed a beat yet this season posting a 2.39 era with 10 saves. Jose Valverde, has bounced back nicely from an early season injury and has struck out more than 1 batter per inning and posted a 3.43 era. Either one of those men would be welcomed additions to any bullpen in the league.
Hopefully the Astros don't get caught up in "pennant race fever" and actually think they can keep up for the rest of the season with the other teams. It's not likely and it won't end well. Trade some of the valuable pieces you have and see yourself get a few good prospects in return.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds may find themselves only 5 games out of first place with the second half on the horizon, but with a 42 - 45 record and behind 4 other teams in their division, they aren't looking to be much of a factor. Outside of Joey Votto, (who has come back strong since he was out dealing with personal issues) and Brandon Phillips, the Reds don't really have any outstanding offensive players. Jay Bruce has sure hit for some great power this season, but with a batting average hovering around the .200 mark and now being out 6 weeks with a broken wrist, the Reds find themselves in an odd position. Do they stand pat and not make any deals, hoping to build toward next season? Or, do they consider themselves sellers and start selling off pieces (Willy Taveras or out of the bullpen Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset. Perhaps a starting pitcher and Bronson Arroyo (Mike Francessa would sure love that) ) Let me be the first to say that while the Reds have certainly had a first half of the season to be proud of, it's time to pack it in guys. Wait till next year, and see if you can make some noise in the NL Central!
Pittsburgh Pirates
To put this simply, the Pirates in the first half, are what they are in the second half of every season, terrible. Your offense is bad, your pitching is bad, you've got no hope. You'll probably trade Adam Laroche, but it doesn't matter. Your team is just bad. Zach Duke is your only star on the pitching staff and Andrew McCutchen is a superstar in the making. But, you're the personal trading partner for the New York Yankees and the rest of baseball.
In the last year alone, the Pirates have traded an entire outfield of Jason Bay, Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady, as well as Eric Hinske and Damaso Marte.
You can rest assured in the next 2 weeks before the trading deadline, the Pirates will be actively shopping their players. It's like a tag sale. Cheap items, available for even cheaper prices. Matt Capps? Take him. Jack Wilson? Give us $20. Freddy Sanchez? Make me a BLT. It's ridiculous.
The Pirates should probably change their name to "Pittsburgh Movers" and their motto should be "where players go to be relocated across America."
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