Willy Adames is reportedly signing with the San Francisco Giants. The contract will be for seven years and $182 million. The move will be a huge boost for the Giants and should diminish the Milwaukee Brewers. The NL Central could be the weakest division in MLB, assuming teams in the AL Central don’t revert back to their old ways.
The Chicago Cubs should be the clear favorite in the NL Central due to a lack of quality in the division. Of course, with the Cubs’ resources, they should be the division favorite every season. For some reason the Cubs organization seems to be reluctant to use their monetary advantage. Maybe it’s Tom Ricketts’ sense of fair play. Or reluctance to spend money.
The Cubs are by far in the best position to improve their team this offseason. Here’s a quick look at where each team is poised going into baseball’s winter meetings.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have a good foundation going into the 2025 season and an opportunity to parlay a strong farm system into a better big-league product. It seems fairly evident some talented players are going to end up elsewhere. Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger are the names most bandied about though some farmhands could very well end up elsewhere.
The Cubs seem intent on adding a quality starter. As long as he doesn’t cost too much. And off course, the bullpen needs additional assistance. Any additional offensive help will probably have to come internally.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have already taken steps to shore up their starting rotation by trading second baseman Jonathan India to the Royals for Brady Singer as well as re-signing Nick Marinez. That makes for a good foundation.
Going into last season the Reds looked to have a lineup teaming with potential led by a group of young hitters with a seemingly high ceiling. However, injuries played heavily into a disappointing season.
It will be interesting to see if the Reds take a swing at one of the better hitting outfielders in this crop of free agents. Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander could make a huge difference in the Reds’ lineup.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers will have to overcome the loss of star shortstop Willy Adames. Of course, dealing with the loss of a star player is nothing new for this franchise. Still, replacing Adames’ 32 home runs and 112 RBIs won’t be easy. I honestly don’t see how they do it.
The Brewers seem to have a knack for pulling rabbits out of their hat. I just don’t know I’ll they’ll do it in 2025. But don’t bury them just yet. They are a very well ran organization.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Bucs have a strong starting rotation headed up by NL Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes. Offense was an issue for the Pirates last season. The team desperately needs to add at least one bat, though two would be preferable.
Antony Santander would seem to be a great fit for the PNC ballpark. However, I doubt the Pirates will spring for the contract Santander will command. Max Kepler is probably a more reasonable target.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals seem to be in more flux than I can remember in recent years. Paul Goldschmidt is pretty well out the door. The Cards are also reportedly shopping Nolan Arenado. However, the interest in him seems to be limited.
It seems like the Cardinals are in perhaps the toughest situation of all the teams in the NL. Central. There are no obvious mores they can make to upgrade the team. It seems the Cardinals will have to help some of their young talent comes through.
