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The Reds and Cardinals took things relatively easy this off-season, but the rest of the division was busy building up to take a shot at their playoff spots, now and in the future.
Chicago Cubs
Major Additions: Edwin Jackson, Carlos Villanueva, Scott Feldman, Scott Baker, Nate Schierholtz,
Key Departures: Randy Wells, Manny Corpas
Significant Injuries: Matt Garza, Scott Baker, Arodys Vizcaino, Darwin Barney, Ian Stewert
Since taking over the Cubs, President Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer have tried to speed up the sizable task of rebuilding the organization by signing mid-market pitchers and dealing them during the season. It is strategy that worked well with Paul Malholm last season and that thinking could come into play with signings like Baker, Feldman and Villanueva this year. The Edwin
Cincinnati Reds
Major Additions: Shin-Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan,
Key Departures: Drew Stubbs, Didi Gregorios, Dioner Navarro
Significant Injuries: Nick Masset
After winning 97 games and topping the second-place Cardinals by nine games, the Reds did not feel the need to make any big changes this off-season. The only major difference on for 2013 club is Shin-Soo Choo in place of Drew Stubbs in center, The Reds nabbed Choo as part of the three team deal with the Indians and Diamondbacks. Choo’s bat is almost certainly an upgrade from the inconsistent Drew, but his defense in center, where he has played just one game since 2006, could negate some of that value. Regardless, the Reds still look like the team to beat in the division this season.
Milwaukee Brewers
Major Additions: Kyle Lohse, Tom Gorzelanny, Mike Gonzalez, Burke Badenhop
Key Departures: Shaun Marcum
Significant Injuries: Mat Gamel, Corey Hart, Jeff Bianchi, Taylor Green, Mark Rogers
When the Brewers signed Kyle Lohse on March 25, the right-hander's off-season long nightmare finally ended. Lohse was one of several victims of the new
Pittsburgh Pirates
Major Additions: Russell Martin, Brandon Inge, Jerry Sands, Francisco Liriano, Mark Melancon, Jonathan Sanchez
Key Departures: Joel Hanrahan, Kevin Correia
Significant Injuries: Brandon Inge, Francisco Liriano, Jeff Karstens, Charlie Morton
The Pirates decades-long rebuilding process may soon come to an end, as the Pirates ready Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon for the big leagues and their off-season at least partly reflects that optimism. GM Neal Huntington surprised a lot of people when he signed away from the Yankees for two years/$17M in late November, giving him a veteran behind the plate to help bring the kids along. The trade that sent closer Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox for reliever Mark Melancon, 1B/OF Jerry Sands and prospect Stolmy Pimentel was a little less surprising, since Hanrahan was in his walk year, but it could prove to be just as important. After a horrible start to the 2012 season in
St. Louis Cardinals
Major Additions: Randy Choate
Key Departures: Lance Berkman, Kyle Lohse, Skip Shumaker
Significant Injuries:Chris Carpenter, Jason Motte, David Freese, Rafael Furcal
Prior to the elbow injury that ended Rafael Furcal’s season, the St. Louis Cardinals had been extremely inactive over the off-season. GM John Mozeliak built his 2011 World Series Championship team through strong player development and this team has been built the same way, leaving him little need to pick up pricey additions. The Cardinals currently rank first in Baseball