NL Central Power Rankings After a Quiet Winter Meetings: Where Things Stand Right Now
The Winter Meetings came and went without much noise from the NL Central - a division that’s still waiting for its offseason to truly get going. Outside of the St.
Louis Cardinals jumpstarting a rebuild by sending Sonny Gray to Boston, there wasn’t much movement of consequence. But even in the stillness, the early pecking order is starting to take shape.
Let’s break down where each team stands heading into the heart of the offseason - and what they still need to do if they want to contend come spring.
1. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have made a habit of staying competitive while retooling on the fly, and this winter is shaping up to be no different. They added outfielder Akil Baddoo on a Major League deal, and while that’s not a headline-grabbing move, Milwaukee has a track record of turning under-the-radar acquisitions into key contributors - just ask Andrew Vaughn.
The big question now is what happens with Freddy Peralta. Trade talks are swirling, and if he’s moved, it would be a major shakeup.
But even with that possibility looming, the Brewers have earned the benefit of the doubt. They’ve shown they can shuffle the deck and still come out on top.
Until someone knocks them off, they remain the team to beat in the NL Central.
2. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds made a strong push last season and finished just nine games behind the Cubs. And while they didn’t land Kyle Schwarber - who re-upped with the Phillies - their pursuit of him signals a team that’s ready to take the next step.
Cincinnati has a young, exciting core and is positioned to challenge Milwaukee, especially if they address a few key needs. The Reds may not have made a splash yet, but they’re lurking. With the Cubs still sorting out their roster, Cincinnati looks like the most immediate threat to the Brewers’ hold on the division.
3. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are in a bit of a holding pattern. They’ve added lefty reliever Hoby Milner, one of just two veteran bullpen arms brought in so far, but the big moves haven’t materialized yet. This is a team with clear needs: a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter, more bullpen depth, and a middle-of-the-order bat - potentially in the form of Alex Bregman, if trade rumors come to fruition.
Right now, the Cubs are behind both Milwaukee and Cincinnati in terms of roster completeness. But their ceiling is arguably the highest in the division. If they make the right moves - and there’s still time - they could vault to the top of these rankings before pitchers and catchers report.
4. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have officially hit the reset button. Trading Sonny Gray was the first domino, and more could fall soon. Veterans like Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Arenado are still on the roster, but it feels like a matter of when - not if - more names are on the move.
Chaim Bloom has a reputation for getting value in trades, and if he continues to thread that needle, the Cardinals could come out of this rebuild in a strong position. But right now, they’re in transition, and that puts them near the bottom of the division.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh has shown signs that it wants to get serious this offseason. They’ve been linked to names like Schwarber and Josh Naylor, but so far, it’s been more window shopping than actual spending.
The Pirates have a budding ace in Paul Skenes, and the front office has hinted at building around him. But until those hints turn into real roster upgrades, it’s hard to move them out of the basement. The desire to compete is there - now it’s about execution.
Final Thoughts
The NL Central is still in flux, and these rankings are far from set in stone. The Cubs, in particular, have the potential to shake things up with a few key additions. But for now, Milwaukee holds onto the top spot, Cincinnati is knocking on the door, and the rest of the division is trying to find its footing.
The offseason is far from over - but the clock is ticking.