Jon Heyman grades the offseasons of each of the Major League teams. How does our favorite division, the NLC, do? Not good.

The Cubs are the top of the division’s class at number 9 on Heyman’s list, due largely to the signing of Japanese import Kosuke Fukodome. I don’t know. I’ll believe that’s a good signing once I see him play.

The rest of the division was in the bottom third. The Brewers and Reds were numbers 20 and 21 respectively, with the Cardinals close behind at number 24.

The big news, I think is that the Pirates weren’t last in something. No, they were ranked 28th. The last place finish goes to the Houston Astros.

30. Astros. How does anyone get Tejada just hours before Mitchell takes the podium? Good grief. F

Good grief, indeed.

SARASOTA — The Cincinnati Reds and 2B Brandon Phillips have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a four-year contract through the 2011 season with a club option for 2012. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.

Phillips, 26, last season received votes for the National League’s Silver Slugger, Gold Glove and Most Valuable Player awards while earning the Ernie Lombardi Award as the Reds’ Most Valuable Player.

In 158 games for Cincinnati he hit .288 with 30 HR, 94 RBI and 32 stolen bases in becoming only the second second baseman in Major League history to produce at least 30 homers and 30 steals in the same season.

While establishing single-season franchise records for a second baseman in total bases (315) and home runs (30), in 2007 Phillips also led all National League second sackers in fielding percentage (8e, .990), total chances (782), putouts (341) and assists (433).

Among all Major League second basemen Phillips ranked in the Top 3 in almost every major offensive category. He led the Reds in games (158), runs (107), hits (187), total bases, triples (6), stolen bases and multi-hit games (56).

Sports Illustrated has ranked the top 10 prospects in baseball in a cute little photo essay. Number 9 is the Reds’ own Homer Bailey; number 1 is the Reds’ Jay Bruce. Dan “Status Quo” O’Brien wasn’t so hot general managing yesterday’s Cincinnati team, but his work with tomorrow’s team is looking pretty good.

The Cardinals are the only other NLC team who have a prospect make an appearance with Colby Rasmus coming in at number 8. The Rays were the other team with two players on the list, and it’s easy to draw comparisons between the two teams. I was surprised to see a Yankee’s representative on the list: I didn’t think the Yankees believed in prospects.

Welcome to round 1 of the Jason Romano Commemorative NLC’s hottest blogger contest. 15 of the best-looking players on NLC (plus one fella in limbo) face off in a single-elimination tournament.

The final round of the tourney finally brings us to our guy in limbo, the illustrious Bubba Crosby. Crosby was with the Reds last season and so strong was his energy for the forces of good that his injury turned out to be season-ending…for the team. For the moment he’s without a team, but this hotness can’t stay unclaimed for long.

Oh, and there’s some other guy he’s up against.

Bronson Arroyo
ht: 6-5 wt: 195 dob: 02/24/1977

Bubba Crosby
ht: 5-11 wt: 195 dob: 08/11/1976
[poll=18]