NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL 2008 Preview

1.  Chicago Cubs -- Here it is, fast approaching: The 100th season since the Cubs' last World Series victory. Have faith, all ye Cubbies fans, now entering his second season, there won't be the learning curve for manager Lou Piniella. And outfielder Alfonso Soriano has a year of that monster contract under his belt, so he should be more comfortable. This can be a dangerous team, especially once Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome gets his feet under him. A lefty-swinging right fielder, Fukudome is exactly what the Cubs have needed more of: A disciplined hitter who knows how to get on base. Unquestionably, the biggest thing to watch this spring is Ryan Dempster's progress as he moves from closer into the starting rotation. Having re-signed Carlos Zambrano, and with Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and Jason Marquis, Dempster can fill out a reasonable rotation. Will Kerry Wood wind up as closer? Stay tuned.

2.  Milwaukee Brewers -- This spring will be all about Ryan Braun's adjustment to left field and Billy Hall regaining his balance at third base after playing center a year ago. Smart move by the Brewers, who may have been able to hang on and win the NL Central last year if not for Braun's butchery at third. Still, you can't blame the kid too much because his offensive numbers were sensational. Those two moves -- especially Braun battling the desert's high sky while learning left -- plus installing Eric Gagne as closer, will keep things interesting in Arizona. Mike Cameron will be a good fit in center and in the clubhouse, but remember, he essentially can't play until May because he's suspended for 25 games following a failed performance-enhancing drug test. And as much a tradition as the breweries in Milwaukee is this: What's the status of pitcher Ben Sheets' health? He's about reached the point of no return, and the Brewers' best bet may be to consider trading him.

3.  Houston Astros -- While the Department of Justice investigation dogs new shortstop Miguel Tejada and the Astros hang perilously close to needing a full-blown rebuilding job, there are a couple of bright spots. Regarding Lance Berkman's really odd habit of one terrific year followed by one slump-ridden year, the pattern calls for another bang-up season in 2008. Kaz Matsui will play second after Craig Biggio's slow march to 3,000 hits last year forced the Astros and manager Phil Garner to play him way more than they should have. And the Brad Lidge soap opera is finished now that he's in Philadelphia. The Astros acquired Jose Valverde (47 saves in Arizona last year) to close, though odds are against him duplicating last year's success. It will be exciting to watch center fielder Michael Bourn's continued development this spring, and the Astros have some pop in the lineup with Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence, but questions abound in the rotation following Roy Oswalt.

4.  St. Louis Cardinals -- Things can't be worse this spring for the Cardinals than last, when manager Tony La Russa was socked with a DUI arrest and things went downhill from there. On the other hand, things aren't significantly better, either. The Cards have downgraded at shortstop with Cesar Izturis over David Eckstein. They didn't exactly cover themselves in glory in trading Scott Rolen to Toronto for Troy Glaus. Two of their best starters -- Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder -- won't be ready on opening day and part of this spring will be about evaluating whether phenom Colby Rasmus, 21, is ready for The Show. That's part of why they traded Jim Edmonds to San Diego. Mulder isn't expected back before May and Carpenter is out until at least the All-Star break. Ah well, at least one-time slugger Juan Gonzalez is riding in to the rescue. Let's see whether he's got anything left this spring.

5.  Cincinnati Reds --  Nice to have Dusty Baker back as manager, let's just hope he doesn't scan the fields in Sarasota this spring and utter Casey Stengel's infamous line, "Can't anybody here play this game?" The Reds were disappointing in '07 after remaining in contention longer than expected in '06. So what's in store for '08? That's all up to whether the Reds find consistency behind Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo in the rotation, whether newly signed closer Francisco Cordero can replicate his success in Milwaukee (44 saves last summer) and whether kids like Jay Bruce -- a potential future star in center field -- progress quickly. The division is better, and the Reds remain a work in progress.

6.  Pittsburgh Pirates -- New manager, new general manager, new team president ... no new impact players. Do the math how you want, it all adds up to zero for 2008 expectations. Another new start, another rebuilding/retooling project and another administration asking Pirates fans for patience. When journeyman shortstop Chris Gomez is the biggest new veteran impact player, well, all that elicits is a round of chuckles. The Pirates were 68-94 last season, and it's no wonder Jason Bay was publicly critical of the new management over the winter. Would you be excited about reporting to spring training with this group? When one of the most riveting spring questions is whether Nate McLouth or Nyjer Morgan will win the center field/leadoff job. ... Oh, and don't be surprised if the Bucs trade Xavier Nady or Bay this spring to kick start a retooling project.