Starting off the Royals, Kansas City hasn't really done that much in free agent signings or contract extensions for players currently on the team. The biggest two biggest free agent signings have been former Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton and former Diamondback shortstop Chris Owings. While these two seem may seem very minor they both bring a certain specialty to the table. Billy Hamilton is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, player in all Major League Baseball. In addition, he is a great defender and fits well with what the Royals are typically good at which is speed and defense. The other free agent signing was Chris Owings who is an average shortstop but is very versatile and can play both second base and all three outfield positions. The only player that received a contract extension was Whit Merrifield who had the most hits and stolen bases last season in all of MLB. He received a four-year $16.25 million-dollar contract. This almost guarantees that Whit will be staying in Kansas City and not be traded to another team for prospects as previously thought this year. While Kansas City is just as shadow of what they were during the 2014-2015 seasons there is hope as eight of the nine starters are thirty or younger. I feel they are another solid starter and a nearly completely new bullpen before they are ready for the postseason.

While the Royals have had not as large of free agent signings, the Cardinals have had a huge free agent signing and a huge trade. The free agent the Cardinals signed was two-time All-Star and 2016 American League Championship Series MVP veteran relief pitcher Andrew Miller. While having a rough season last year with an ERA of 4.24, Miller has been a dominant reliever with an ERA under 2.5 in nine of his past ten seasons. The other huge move was receiving veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Goldschmidt is a six-time All-Star and has three Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards. In exchange for receiving Goldschmidt, the Cardinals gave up three prospects and a 2019 Competitive Balance B draft choice. The Cardinals have always been a pretty good baseball team, but this year is looking especially promising. Adding Goldschmidt strengthens up an already great Cardinal defense lead by Marcell Ozuna and Yadier Molina and adding Miller adds a veteran mindset in an already stacked Cardinal bullpen. I predict the Cardinals will win the NL Central and may even win the NLCS.