NL Central report cards: Grading offseason moves

With spring training fast approaching, theScore's MLB editors hand out their offseason grades for each division. We continue with the National League Central.

NL EAST I AL EAST I AL CENTRAL I NL WEST I AL WEST

Of all the divisions in baseball, the National League Central is one of the toughest, mainly because the reigning World Series champ Chicago Cubs will run the table for the foreseeable future.

To put things in perspective, the St. Louis Cardinals won 87 games in 2016, but remarkably finished 17 1/2 games back of the Cubs.

While Chicago is the team to beat, it doesn't make sense to tear a team apart unless there's a shot to dethrone Chicago, and for that reason, the NL Central - with the exception of the Cardinals - remained dormant for most of the offseason.

Chicago Cubs

Trades: 2
Signings: 4
Money spent on FA: $19.5M
Projected 2017 payroll: $159,714,881
2016 Record: 103-58 (1st)

Key Arrivals: Brett Anderson (free agent), Eddie Butler (trade), Wade Davis (trade), Brian Duensing (free agent), Jon Jay (free agent), Koji Uehara (free agent)

Key minor-league signings: Dylan Floro, Jim Henderson, Munenori Kawasaki, Williams Perez, Jemile Weeks

Key Departures: Aroldis Chapman (NYY), Dexter Fowler (STL), Jason Hammel (KC), David Ross (retired), Jorge Soler (KC), Travis Wood (FA),

Takeaway: The reigning World Series champs had a productive winter that saw them quickly replace the departure of Chapman with fellow All-Star Wade Davis. The loss of Fowler is sure to hurt, but with Schwarber returning from injury and the cost-effective additions of Anderson to the rotation and Uehara in the bullpen, there's no reason to think the Cubs won't be favorites to repeat.

Grade: A-

Cincinnati Reds

Trades: 3
Signings: 2
Money spent on FA: $5.3M
Projected 2017 payroll: $82,889,286
2016 Record: 68-94 (5th)

Key Arrivals: Scott Feldman (free agent), Drew Storen (free agent)

Key minor-league signings: Bronson Arroyo, Rob Brantly, Louis Coleman, Gabriel Guerrero

Key Departures: Ramon Cabrera (MIA), Alfredo Simon (FA), Dan Straily (MIA)

Takeaway: Cincinnati did little to address a pitching staff that allowed a major-league record 258 home runs last season, so expect the club to sit at the bottom of the standings for another year.

Grade: C-

Milwaukee Brewers

Trades: 2
Signings: 3
Money spent on FA: $23.25M
Projected 2017 payroll: $53,575,000
2016 Record: 73-89 (4th)

Key Arrivals: Jett Bandy (trade), Neftali Feliz (free agent), Tommy Milone (free agent), Travis Shaw (trade), Eric Thames (free agent)

Key minor-league signings: Joba Chamberlain, Ivan De Jesus Jr., Andy Oliver, Eric Sogard, Ryan Webb

Key Departures: Chris Carter (FA), Tyler Thornburg (BOS), Martin Maldonado (LAA), Chris Capuano (FA)

Takeaway: The Brewers lost a lot of power with the departure of Carter and will hope the success Thames had at the plate in Korea translates in Milwaukee. Feliz should add some stability in the bullpen to replace the loss of Thornburg, while Shaw could blossom with the Brewers after an up-and-down stint in Boston.

Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Pirates

Trades: 0
Signings: 3
Money spent on FA: $37M
Projected 2017 payroll: $89,683,332
2016 Record: 78-83 (3rd)

Key Arrivals: Daniel Hudson (free agent), Ivan Nova (re-signed), Nefi Ogando (waivers)

Key minor-league signings: Josh Lindblom, Eury Perez, Dan Runzler, Joey Terdoslavich

Key Departures: Neftali Feliz (MIL), Eric Fryer (STL), Matt Joyce (OAK), Jeff Locke (MIA), Sean Rodriguez (ATL), Ryan Vogelsong (MIN)

Takeaway: It's hard to say if the Pirates are looking at a rebuild or not. Coming off their first losing season in four years, the Pirates whiffed on trading Andrew McCutchen this winter and will now look to stay the course with their franchise icon. Bringing back Nova is a nice move for a solid young rotation, though the Bucs remain the third best team in the division.

Grade: B-

St. Louis Cardinals

Trades: 1
Signings: 2
Money spent on FA: $113M
Projected 2017 payroll: $134,787,500
2016 Record: 86-76 (2nd)

Key Arrivals: Brett Cecil (free agent), Dexter Fowler (free agent)

Key minor-league signings: Todd Cunningham, Kendry Flores, Eric Fryer, Zach Phillips, Jordan Schafer, Daniel Schlereth

Key Departures: Jaime Garcia (ATL), Jeremy Hazelbaker (ARI), Matt Holliday (NYY), Seth Maness (FA), Brandon Moss (KC), Jordan Walden (ATL), Jerome Williams (FA)

Takeaway: After missing the postseason for the first time since 2011, the Cardinals made a major play by adding both Fowler and Cecil. With Fowler, the club filled their need for a center fielder and leadoff man and should make the Cards a threat for at least a wild-card spot.

Grade: A-