3 teams that can use George Springer to boost their World Series chances

His addition will be a statement to go out and win the NL Central convincingly

If there is a division to be won in the National League next year, it has to be the NL Central. Even though it sent four teams to the postseason last year, not a single one of the got out of the best-of-three Wild Card Series, all falling to either NL East or NL West opponents. Outside of the utterly toothless Pittsburgh Pirates, there is little separation between No. 1 and No. 4 in the NL Central.

The interesting part of the division is there does not feel like a team that is on-the-rise. It still might be the Cincinnati Reds, but what happens when NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer inevitably leaves? The Chicago Cubs may have to blow up their core and the Milwaukee Brewers may have reached the end of their competitive life cycle. That leaves us looking at the St. Louis Cardinals.

There is a reason this is the baseball team in the Senior Circuit. This is a stand-up franchise. St. Louis is a baseball town and an organization that routinely brings its A game when it is required. Springer may have to play right field if the Cardinals want to keep Harrison Bader in center. Ultimately, adding Springer is a way to effectively replace Dexter Fowler in the outfield.

From a lineup perspective, adding Springer would be like getting the Atlanta Braves’ version of Marcell Ozuna in the outfield and right in the middle of it. This could be a separating factor for the Redbirds to win the NL Central and jockey for playoff positioning with other quality NL teams like the Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Springer helps raise a banner.