NL Central Links: Prince, Astros, Cubs Outfield, Pirates Pitching and Oswalt

Keep your fiends closer and your enemies closer. I think I’ve heard that somewhere…

That’s why I want to keep you in the loop on the teams within the NL Central. Over last week, here’s a little something about each of the teams…

Chicago Cubs

Over at Cubbies Crib, a pair of veterans will be looking at diminished roles for 2012: Marlon Byrd and Reed Johnson. Both will be asked to brig along the likes of Springboro native Tony Campana and Brett Jackson. I’m not sure what this could mean for Alfonso Soriano (who I would imagine the firm of Epstein and Hoyer are still trying to unload) or even the signing of David DeJesus.

I know this: both Campana and Jackson are exciting.

Houston Astros

I’ll let Alex Sandoval of Climbing Tal’s Hill explain this…

"While Crane strongly hinted at a uniform change come 2013, he also hinted at a possible name change. While the former was received with cheers and applause from many fans, the latter evoked quite the opposite reaction. Many fans have been up in arms about the possibility that the Astros name could be no more in 2013. So while the Astros will be changing leagues, could they change much more then just that?The reality of the matter is Jim Crane created more buzz in one sentence than anything the Astros have done in a very long time. Maybe it was pure dumb luck but knowing the type of businessman Crane has been, that seems doubtful. He planted a seed that had the airwaves of Houston buzzing on Tuesday. The mere thought of making such a drastic change brought out loyal and casual fans alike to voice their displeasure with the move, for the most part. Thing is, Crane has Houston talking Astros again and has created a ton of momentum that the franchise needed badly. The question many fans should ask themselves is whether Crane wanted to just plant the seed or let it grow?"

I understand the fans wanting to keep the current name of “Astros”, but that’s not the original. That would be “Colt 45’s”, a name that lasted for the franchise’s first three seasons until the move into the Astrodome. How did that happen? They got a new owner…

Milwaukee Brewers

Some Reds fans might want to file this in their memory banks for future holding…

While a lot of Reds fans are cheering the departures of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder from the division, you have to wonder what fans of those teams are thinking. Look no further than Reviewing the Brew. Lou Olsen has an interesting take on the loss of Prince…and it’s not what you think.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Have you seriously contemplated what it takes to make the majors? If the case of Pirates pitcher Jeff Karstens, that answer is two simple words: a lot. Rum Bunter’s Tom Smith takes a peek at Karstens and his 2012 season. Karstens will be a key cog on the Bucs staff in 2012.

St. Louis Cardinals

Reds fans (well, a few) were teased about the potential of Roy Oswalt becoming a Red. We heard reports last week about Oswalt and the Cards. I read that the deal was done, but then it was retracted. Not sure what the deal is there. Maybe there’s more to this back injury than we were led to believe. It’s not like it’s our business anyway…or is it?