Everything you need to know about the NL Central

AL West | ​AL East | AL Central | NL West | NL East

The NL Central isn't getting a lot of attention heading into the 2021 campaign after a forgettable offseason. But the division should be highly competitive as no team is head and shoulders above the rest. Here's a breakdown of all five clubs as the new season approaches:

Chicago Cubs

2020 record: 34-26 (1st in NL Central)
Payroll: $170.7M
O/U win total: 85
World Series odds: +4000
3-year trend: 2018 (2nd); 2019 (3rd); 2020 (1st)
Highest projected WAR: Kris Bryant (3.3)
X-factor: Javier Baez
Prospect to watch: Brailyn Marquez (MLB.com: No. 60)
Key injuries: Rowan Wick
Winter report card: F

Projected Lineup

Bench

The winds of change are blowing through the North Side. The Cubs' lineup features plenty of proven stars, but questions swirl about the futures of Bryant, Rizzo, and Baez, who will all become free agents after the season. Chicago doesn't appear motivated to spend money after dealing Yu Darvish to the Padres during the offseason, so it could end up trading some major names if the team struggles. Pederson, who joined the Cubs over the winter, looks like a cheaper version of Kyle Schwarber, who signed with the Nationals after Chicago non-tendered him.

Projected Rotation

Bullpen

The Cubs' rotation isn't going to intimidate anybody. Hendricks is solid, but the rest of the starters don't meet the standards of a potential playoff team. Arrieta, who won the 2015 NL Cy Young Award while with Chicago, returns after an underwhelming three-year stint with the Phillies. The 35-year-old could be a nice addition if he turns back the clock, but injuries have limited him to only 33 starts over the last two years. In the bullpen, the pressure is on Kimbrel to perform after Chicago signed Workman. Kimbrel owns a 6.00 ERA in 41 appearances with the Cubs after earning seven All-Star nods in nine years before joining the club.

Cincinnati Reds

2020 record: 31-29 (3rd)
Payroll: $126.4M
O/U win total: 79
World Series odds: +3500
3-year trend: 2018 (5th); 2019 (4th); 2020 (3rd)
Highest projected WAR: Luis Castillo (4.5)
X-factor: Nick Senzel
Prospect to watch: Nick Lodolo (MLB.com: No. 59)
Key injuries: Sonny Gray, Shogo Akiyama, Michael Lorenzen
Winter report card: D

Projected Lineup

Bench

It's too bad the Reds play in the National League because they're built like an American League club. The team would greatly benefit from having a designated hitter due to a glut of outfielders. Senzel is projected to start in center field because of an injury to Akiyama, and Cincinnati should do everything in its power to get the former top prospect playing time and at-bats. The Reds experimented with Suarez at shortstop during the spring, a move that had ripple effects throughout the infield - including India landing on the Opening Day roster as Cincinnati's starting second baseman.

Projected Rotation

Bullpen

The most glaring absences on the pitching staff are those of Gray, who won't be ready to start the season because of a back issue, and Trevor Bauer, who bolted to the Dodgers after capturing the Reds' first-ever Cy Young. Cincinnati's depth will be tested without those two hurlers, as its starting pitching has taken a step back to begin the season. Garrett will likely get the first shot at the closer's job with Raisel Iglesias now a member of the Angels. Doolittle also has plenty of closing experience, so he could take over ninth-inning duties if Garrett falters.

Milwaukee Brewers

2020 record: 29-31 (4th)
Payroll: $125.1M
O/U win total: 89
World Series odds: +5000
3-year trend: 2018 (1st); 2019 (2nd); 2020 (4th)
Highest projected WAR: Brandon Woodruff (4.4)
X-factor: Keston Hiura
Prospect to watch: Garrett Mitchell (MLB.com: No. 65)
Key injuries: None
Winter report card: D+

Projected Lineup

Bench

The Brewers improved their defense significantly by signing Wong and Bradley, who have three Gold Gloves between them. The return of Cain also gives Milwaukee one of baseball's best defensive outfields. Preventing runs won't be an issue for this group, but scoring will be. Only four teams put up fewer runs than the Brewers in 2020. Milwaukee needs Yelich to perform like the perennial MVP candidate he's become and for Hiura to take another step in his development if this offense hopes to stay afloat.

Projected Rotation

Bullpen

Woodruff and Burnes are two of the most underrated hurlers in the majors. The former accrued a 3.05 ERA with 11.1 K/9 in 2020, while the latter amassed a 2.03 FIP with 88 strikeouts over 59 2/3 innings. The Brewers employee a similarly dynamic duo in their bullpen: Hader and Williams struck out a combined 86 hitters in 46 innings last season, a feat that helped Williams earn 2020 NL Rookie of the Year honors. Milwaukee has a chance to compete in this division thanks to its top starters and relievers.

Pittsburgh Pirates

2020 record: 19-41 (5th)
Payroll: $60.8M
O/U win total: 61
World Series odds: +30000
3-year trend: 2018 (4th); 2019 (5th); 2020 (5th)
Highest projected WAR: Ke'Bryan Hayes (2.8)
X-factor: Ke'Bryan Hayes
Prospect to watch: Ke'Bryan Hayes (MLB.com: No. 9)
Key injuries: Steven Brault
Winter report card: D-

Projected Lineup

Bench

There won't be many bright spots in what's expected to be a long season for the Pirates. General manager Ben Cherington shipped out veterans Josh Bell, Jameson Taillon, and Joe Musgrove during the offseason. Pittsburgh is now committed to a full rebuild, so the youngsters will have to learn on the fly. Hayes, one of the favorites to win NL Rookie of the Year, is one of those players. The 24-year-old slashed .375/.442/.682 with five round-trippers in 24 games last season.

Projected Rotation

Bullpen

The Pirates are going to allow a lot of runs thanks to a rotation that's mediocre at best. The diamond in the rough could be Keller, who posted a 2.91 ERA in five starts last season. The former top prospect is just 24 years old, so there's plenty of room to grow. Pittsburgh also has the No. 1 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, which means top college hurler Kumar Rocker will likely be joining the organization later this year. There's some light at the end of the tunnel.

St. Louis Cardinals

2020 record: 30-28 (2nd)
Payroll: $159.9M
O/U win total: 81
World Series odds: +1800
3-year trend: 2018 (3rd); 2019 (1st); 2020 (2nd)
Highest projected WAR: Nolan Arenado (4.0)
X-factor: Carlos Martinez
Prospect to watch: Dylan Carlson (MLB.com: No. 13)
Key injuries: Miles Mikolas, Dakota Hudson, Harrison Bader, Kwang Hyun Kim
Winter report card: B+

Projected Lineup

Bench

The acquisition of Arenado is a game-changer for the Cardinals. The 29-year-old owns four Silver Sluggers after putting up a career .890 OPS with 235 homers with the Rockies, and he's also picked up eight Gold Gloves and four Platinum Gloves for his work at the hot corner. Another significant benefit is the protection the five-time All-Star will provide for Goldschmidt, who owns an .837 OPS in two seasons with St. Louis after accruing a .930 OPS in eight years with the Diamondbacks.

Projected Rotation

Bullpen

With Mikolas injured to start the season and Hudson out for the year due to Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals will need Martinez to find his All-Star form. The Dominican pitcher has a career 3.51 ERA but struggled in 2020, posting a 9.90 ERA across five starts. Kim will be another important arm for the team after the lefty put up a 3.88 FIP with 1.02 WHIP in 39 innings last season. St. Louis' bullpen has a chance to be very good with Reyes, Gallegos, Miller, and Hicks working high-leverage innings, but previous injuries mean questions remain about durability.