The NL Central in 2026 is officially wide open. With the long-standing “old guard” in St. Louis and Milwaukee undergoing massive structural shifts, and the “new guard” in Chicago and Pittsburgh aggressively spending, this division is poised for a five-team sprint to the finish.
Here is your 2026 Spring Training Preview for the NL Central.
Chicago Cubs: The “Win-at-All-Costs” North Siders
After a heartbreaking NLDS exit in 2025, Jed Hoyer went into the winter with a blank check. The result is a roster that looks like a fantasy team, anchored by the biggest free-agent splash of the offseason.
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Key Additions: Alex Bregman (3B – 5yr/$175M), Edward Cabrera (SP – via trade), Hunter Harvey (RP), Chas McCormick (OF).
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Key Losses: Owen Caissie (Top prospect traded for Cabrera), Justin Turner, Nick Lopez, Kyle Hendricks (Retired/FA).
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Spring Storyline: The Bregman Era. Watching how Bregman slots into the clubhouse leadership role will be the primary focus in Mesa. Additionally, watch the battle at 2B/SS between Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner. If Shaw hits like he did in Triple-A last year, the Cubs may have the most expensive “problem” in baseball.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Great Reset
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Cardinals will enter a season without both Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. The front office has pivoted to a “controlled youth movement,” trusting their top-tier pitching development to keep them afloat.
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Key Additions: Ryne Stanek (RP), Justin Bruihl (LHP), Jack Martinez (RHP – via Arenado trade).
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Key Losses: Nolan Arenado (Traded to D-Backs), Paul Goldschmidt (Free Agency), Brandon Donovan (Trade rumors swirled but he remains… for now).
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Spring Storyline: The JJ Wetherholt Watch. The #7 overall pick from 2024 is the favorite to win the Opening Day 2B job. St. Louis hasn’t had this much “rookie energy” in camp since Albert Pujols in 2001. If Wetherholt and Quinn Mathews (LHP) both break camp, the “Reset” might be faster than fans expect.
Milwaukee Brewers: The “Pitching Factory” Pivot
In classic Brewers fashion, they traded their ace (Freddy Peralta) while he was at peak value to reload the farm. However, with Brandon Woodruff back at 100%, the rotation might not actually take a step back.
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Key Additions: Brandon Sproat (SP – via trade), Jett Williams (SS – via trade), Akil Baddoo (OF), Angel Zerpa (RP).
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Key Losses: Freddy Peralta (Mets), Tobias Myers (Mets), Rhys Hoskins (FA), Danny Jansen (FA).
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Spring Storyline: Brandon Woodruff’s Revenge. This is Woodruff’s first full season back since shoulder surgery. If he looks like a Cy Young contender in Maryvale, the Brewers are still the favorites. Also, keep an eye on Jett Williams—his speed on the bases could make the Brewers the most aggressive base-running team in the league.
Cincinnati Reds: The Maturity Phase
The “Electric Youth” of 2024 and 2025 (Elly De La Cruz, McLain, Steer) are now established veterans. The Reds spent their winter shoring up a bullpen that blew too many leads last summer.
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Key Additions: Pierce Johnson (RP), Caleb Ferguson (RP), Gavin Lux (INF), JJ Bleday (OF).
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Key Losses: Buck Farmer, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow (all FAs).
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Spring Storyline: Gavin Lux’s New Home. After a “reclamation” year, Lux is looking to prove he belongs in the heart of this order. The biggest question in Goodyear: Can Hunter Greene finally find a third pitch to match his 102 mph heater? If he does, he’s a dark-horse Cy Young candidate.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The “Win Now” Surge
The Pirates are tired of being the “feeder system” for the rest of the league. Under new manager Don Kelly, Pittsburgh made their first multi-year position player signing in a decade, signaling to the city that 2026 is the year.
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Key Additions: Ryan O’Hearn (1B – 2yr/$29M), Brandon Lowe (2B – via trade), Gregory Soto (RP), Jake Mangum (OF).
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Key Losses: Rowdy Tellez, Yasmani Grandal, Aroldis Chapman.
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Spring Storyline: Konnor Griffin vs. The World. Griffin is the #1 prospect in baseball and is trying to pull a “Jackson Chourio” by making the Opening Day roster at age 19. If he wins the SS job, a lineup featuring Griffin, O’Hearn, and Oneil Cruz could finally give the Pirates the “pop” they’ve been missing.
NL Central Projected Standings (Early Vegas Odds)
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Chicago Cubs (+125)
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Cincinnati Reds (+210)
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Pittsburgh Pirates (+350)
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Milwaukee Brewers (+400)
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St. Louis Cardinals (+800)
