NL Central: The Summer of Failure

Floyd

Plus, its pretty to think so, but I don't think we can take it for granted that the Central will be that bad next summer.

SP Marquis
SP Mulder
SP Suppan
SP Weaver
2B Belliard
CF Edmonds

Their rotation will be Carpenter, Reyes, and three new guys (either free agents or rookies). They don't seem to have much for major-league-ready starters in their system, so they'll be spending some cash on their rotation in the offseason. Any team with Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols should still be ok, but they'll have a lot of holes to fill.
The Reds won't really lose much to free agency (SS Clayton, RP Guardado, RP Mercker), but I think they really hurt their future when they dealt away Kearns and Lopez for relievers. If they can solidify their rotation with a good free agent, they might be in the hunt.
I think Milwaukee might be the team to beat in the Central next season. They'll lose Tomo Ohka, David Bell, Jeff Cirillo, and Tony Graffanino to free agency. Their rotation will consist of Sheets, Capuano, Bush, Davis, and a rookie/free agent - that's pretty solid, depending on what they do with that 5th slot. Their position players line up like this:

C  Miller (if option is picked up)
1B Fielder
2B Weeks
SS Hardy/Hall
3B Koskie/Hall
LF Mench
CF Clark
RF Jenkins

That lineup is solid all the way through, and some of the young players still have room to improve. They've also got Gabe Gross and Corey Hart to provide OF depth. If the Brewers stay healthy, they should be a force next season.
The Astros could potentially lose all of these players:

SP Clemens
SP Pettitte
2B Biggio
3B Huff
LF Wilson

Needless to say, they'll have some major rotation holes to plug if they can't get Clemens or Pettitte to pitch for them for next season. Their offense hasn't been very good this season either, so they'll need a major overhaul this offseason if they hope to compete.
The Pirates don't really lose anybody beyond the players they've already dealt, but they're still the Pirates. They do have some solid young position players (Bay, Bautista, Sanchez, Castillo, Paulino), but it's hard to see them competing for anything unless their young starting pitchers all put it together at the same time.
After looking at the division, I think the Brewers would have to be considered the 2007 favorite right now. Of course, a lot can change between now and April 1, 2007. The Cardinals could still be the favorite if they can fill their rotation effectively. It should be an interesting offseason.

Overall it's going to be tough for any team to improve.  I'd look for the Reds to try and get a big name pitcher, the question is whether they'll spend the money needed to get one and who would want to pitch in that park?

The Brewers look good going forward and are probably a good bet to contend for the division.

The Astros will almost certainly try to bring back Biggio if for no other reason than he'll get his 3,000 hit next year for them.  Can't see them letting him go considering he's a lifelong Assho.... I mean Astro.  

The Cubs will be in a position to contend for the division considering it's state if they go out and actually make themselves better this winter.  A couple good free agent signings will help a lot.  One good pitcher and one good hitter would do wonders for our chances.  The problem is that there aren't many good hitters or pitchers available and the cost will be prohibitive for Hendry considering the Cubs history of going after big names.

The Pirates don't look like contenders.  They'll have to show a lot of improvement with their young pitchers.  Littlefield is apparently a moron and his deadline deals only solidifies that.  Wilson for Chacon?  

The Brewers look good, the Reds could be if they get pitching, don't count out the Cardinals resourcefulness, the Astros need more help than they'll probably be able to acquire, the Pirates aren't a threat.  A few good moves by the Cubs could put them right back in the thick of things but like has been said they need to focus not on the division but on what they'll be able to accomplish in the playoffs.  A good hitter will help win the division, a good pitcher or three would go a long way in the playoffs.