Is the St. Louis Cardinals' rebuild already facing a roadblock? The NL Central is a tough division, and while the Cardinals are looking to rebuild after their 2022 season, a surprising contender might be rising to challenge their plans.
Currently, the Milwaukee Brewers are dominating the division, having claimed four of the last five NL Central titles. The Chicago Cubs are also in the mix, though their roster changes could lead to a dip in their performance. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates haven't won the division since 2012. The Reds are showing signs of improvement after making the playoffs last season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, often considered the division's underdogs, might be closer to contention than many realize.
Could the Pirates' future be brighter than it seems?
Baseball analysts highlight the Pirates' strong young pitching staff. Led by Paul Skenes, who recently won the NL Cy Young Award, along with promising talents like Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones, the Pirates have a solid foundation. However, their offense has been a major concern, with few players performing above average.
But, their farm system is teeming with talent, including top prospect Konnor Griffin and Arizona Fall League star Esmerlyn Valdez. Rumors suggest they might spend on free agents this offseason, potentially making them a competitive force in the NL Central as early as next year.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The Pirates have historically been cautious with long-term contracts, with their biggest free-agent signing in franchise history being under $40 million. Expecting a major shift in this approach might be unrealistic.
Comparing Konnor Griffin to Bobby Witt Jr. is also a stretch. While Griffin is a promising prospect, Witt has already proven himself, accumulating 18.5 fWAR over the past two seasons. For the Pirates to truly compete, Griffin would need to perform at a similar level.
And this is the part most people miss...
Even if the Pirates improve, their contention window might not directly impact the Cardinals. However, their rise could affect the Cardinals' timeline for competing again. It was only a decade ago that the Cardinals and Pirates were the top two teams in Major League Baseball.
What do you think? Will the Pirates' young talent and potential spending make them a true threat? Could they upset the Cardinals' rebuild plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
