NL Central

Today is the first installment of a position-by-position look at the Pittsburgh Pirates camp battles in spring training.

We begin behind the plate, which was a sore spot both offensively and defensively during the 2010 campaign. Teams stole bases on the Pirates pitchers and catchers at an alarming rate a season ago. It was so alarming that it prompted Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington into making some midseason changes.

Albert Pujols is arguably the best baseball player this generation has seen. He is viewed as a model for what a baseball player should be amid the cloud of performance-enhancers that dominated baseball from the late '90s to early 2000s. His year-to-year performances speak for themselves, and he has become an icon not only in the city of St. Louis, but for all baseball fans around the world.

The Houston Astros finished fourth in their division last season with a record of 76-86, it marked the first time Houston finished two straight years with a losing record since the 1990 and 1991 seasons (74-88, 2009). While Houston traded away Roy Oswalt to the Phillies last year, they still expect a strong season from this year's starting rotation.

What can Mark “I didn’t come here to talk about the past” McGwire teach Albert Pujols about hitting a baseball? Good question.  When I find the answer, I’ll let you all know. 

NL Offensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Award winner, Pujols is a far, far better hitter than his batting coach.

When two objects plummet towards a narrow abyss, a meeting becomes more and more likely, until it is inevitable.

Such is the case of the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito.

The Chicago Cubs’ dugout was the scene of another intrasquad scuffle today, courtesy of starting pitcher Carlos Silva.

Silva, who was shelled for six runs (three earned) in his one-inning start against the Brewers, blew up at his teammates and had to be physically restrained.

With the caveat that spring training has a long ways to go yet, this incident could have a substantial effect on the Cubs’ choices for the back of the starting rotation.

As spring approaches, baseball fans all across the nation become giddy with anticipation. New acquisitions have us all looking at our respective teams and wonder what may be.

Still, there are inevitabilities in every season.

There is at least one guy out there who, looked at as a random scrub today, will be a star in the coming months. A minor league player hoping to make the big club will become an integral part of their success.

The Reds were a popular sleeper pick in 2009. As it turns out, we were all just a year too early.

Cincinnati returns essentially the same lineup it ran out each day during its NL Central title run with a few new additions. Because many of the Reds' core players are young up-and-comers, we should see many of the players on the Reds roster skyrocket in fantasy value over the next few seasons.

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No one gives you more insight into the game of baseball than Zack Greinke—probably even without him knowing it.

He tells you about going through emotional problems, his attitude before and after the problems, his Cy Young experience, his beef with the Royals, his trade demands and being a Brewer. If there is any pro ball player that does what Greinke does, let me know and I'll make a slideshow on that player.

There is a Facebook fan group that has all of his quotes, and he didn't waste any time in Milwaukee continuing his great quote streak.

The National League Central has picked up steam in the offseason.

Last year, it was touted as one of the worst divisions in baseball. Now, the Cubs have picked up pitcher Matt Garza, the Brewers got Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum and the young Reds have a year of experience.

Has anyone added enough to overtake the Reds?

Let's take a look and find out.

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