With the 2014 season underway (technically) it is time for the first edition of Sportsnaut’s MLB Power Rankings. Each month there will be an updated version of the best teams in MLB.
Now, if you do not know how power rankings work, it is not like regular rankings or standings. Power rankings show an opinionated version of the best teams in a specific league. For example, the Yankees could be 10-0 and the Red Sox could be 8-2. In a power ranking, the Red Sox could still be rated higher, depending on circumstances.
Now, let’s get right into it, shall we?
Who is the worst team in the MLB? Right now, technically the Arizona Diamondbacks are, but not in a power ranking.
Here are the 2014 MLB Opening Day Power Rankings:
30. Houston Astros
George Springer takes a hack in a Spring Training game. Photo from David Manning, USA Today Sports Images
The Houston “Lastros,” as some people called them, actually have a very promising future. The problem is just that though, as the future is not now. George Springer could finally see some big league action, but the Astros are still a few years away.
29. Miami Marlins
The Marlins had so much promise with a ton of free agents, a new ball park, and even a new logo. But, the money is still not there and the Marlins will need to promote from within. Christian Yelich, Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton are legitimate talents, but there is not much else in Miami.
28. Minnesota Twins
The Twins have been a great franchise for years, making the playoffs with a low payroll at times. But, the payroll has finally caught up to them and Joe Mauer seems to have no help in the land of 10,000 lakes.
27. New York Mets
Like the Astros, the Mets have a promising future. With young players like Travis D’Arnaud and Zack Wheeler contributing this season, we get a the taste of the future with the Metropolitans. Next year, when Matt Harvey comes back and the Mets prospects are one year closer, the Mets could be a surprise team.
26. Chicago Cubs
At some point, you have to believe Theo Epstein is going to get it together in Chicago. With rookie Javier Baez in the fold, the Cubs have some young players to build around. But with a bunch of guys who wouldn’t start for other teams in the MLB, it is tough to see the Cubbies winning 75 games this season.
25. Philadelphia Phillies
This is a sad story that keeps getting worse. The Phillies have the third highest payroll in baseball, but will not likely will 81 games. The management still believes this is the 2008 team that won the World Series, and the entire city of Philadelphia sees it. Why can’t the management just let go of the past? Money. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Chase Utley combine to make more than over half the teams in baseball. That is not how you build a winning franchise.
24. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners could be a surprise this season, but until Taijuan Walker and Hishashi Iwakuma are healthy, the rotation is in shambles. The M’s have a good top of the lineup with the signing of Robinson Cano to go along with Kyle Seager, but Seattle is still missing a few pieces.
23. San Diego Padres
The Padres are a little under the radar at the moment, as their lineup could be one of the pleasant surprises in baseball this year. But the pitching staff lacks any true “aces”. Can Everth Cabrera, Yonder Alonso and Chase Headley carry this team to where they want to go? We will see.
22. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are without question the best team in Chicago, but can that pitching staff keep up with the dominant lineups in the AL Central? The White Sox will score runs with Jose Abreu, Adam Dunn, Avisail Garcia and Alexei Ramirez, but the pitching staff is questionable outside of Chris Sale.
21. Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Braun slides home safely. Is his return enough for the Brewers to make a run? Photo from Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports Images
The Brewers are always an interesting team to watch, because the talent is there. Milwaukee truly possesses one of the better lineups in the National League with Ryan Braun coming back to anchor a lineup filled with solid hitters such as Jean Segura, Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramirez and Jonathan Lucroy. But, can Yovani Gallardo return to form and stabilize the Brewers rotation?
20. Toronto Blue Jays
In any other division, the Blue Jays would be a lot higher on this list. But, the American League East is stacked with talent, and the Blue Jays are on the outside looking in at the moment. Toronto will be able to score with the best of them, especially if Jose Reyes can stay healthy. But, can Bautista, Encarnacion, Lind, Rasmus and Cabrera make up for the lack of talent on the pitching staff? It will be tough in the AL East.
19. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have always have a plethora of talent, but have never been able to stay healthy long enough to put it together. Jorge De La Rosa leads a young rotation with a lot of potential, but can they reach it? As always, the Rockies will be led by their hitting. If Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this team. From top to bottom, the Rockies lineup seems like it is a never-ending nightmare for opposing pitchers. But, can Colorado stay healthy?
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
Led by one of the best young players in the game in Paul Goldschmidt, the Diamondbacks will look to get to the postseason behind skipper Kirk Gibson. Goldschmidt is joined by Aaron Hill and Mark Trumbo in a very underrated lineup, but the question for Arizona is simple. Can the rotation survive without Patrick Corbin?
17. San Francisco Giants
The Giants still have one of the best rotations in baseball with Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong and newly signed Tim Hudson to go along with a dominant bullpen. But can the Giants lineup score enough every night? Hunter Pence and Buster Posey will lead the Giants offense and should they remain healthy, San Francisco could be in the playoff race in September.
16. Cleveland Indians
The Indians are poised to make a serious run at the AL Central this season, and have the lineup to do it. Kipnis, Santana, Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera will make it tough to hold Cleveland to less than four runs night in and night out.
15. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are coming off their best season in what seems like forever. Last year they won 94 games and made the postseason, but did nothing in the offseason to improve. Can McCutchen and company keep the ball rolling in Pittsburgh?
14. Baltimore Orioles
Adam Jones blowing a bubble. Can the O’s win the AL East? Photo from Jonathan Dyer, USA Today Sports Images
The Orioles have the entire city of Baltimore buzzing again, and it’s great to see. Last year the O’s won 85 games and are poised to eclipse that mark this year with the addition of Nelson Cruz.
13. Kansas City Royals
The Royals were over .500 last season, and added Norichika Aoki to an already star-studded lineup that includes Salvador Perez and Eric Hosmer. Can the Royals rotation bring them to the playoffs?
12. Texas Rangers
The Rangers added some punch to their lineup this offseason with the acquisition of Prince Fielder. This also allows top prospect Jurickson Profar to step in once he regains health. The sky is the limit for the Rangers offense, but with Tanner Scheppers starting on opening day, the Rangers need to get healthy quickly.
11. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are poised to get back to the postseason after just missing out on the “second” round after losing to the Pirates in the one game playoff. Can Billy Hamilton get them over the hump?
10. Tampa Bay Rays
Each and every year, the Rays rank among the best teams in baseball, despite such a low payroll. It’s tough to count the Rays out of the AL East race with a solid lineup anchored by Evan Longoria and a rotation of David Price, Matt Moore, Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer.
9. New York Yankees
The Yankees made a big splash in the offseason spending all kinds of money. (Yes, that opening sentence can be used every single year) With the signings of Carlos Beltran and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yanks are ready to take a run at the World Series in Derek Jeter’s last season.
8. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The talent in Los Angeles is just breathtaking. Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson look to take the Angels to the promised land. But with all that talent, how come Los Angeles only won 78 game last year?
7. Oakland Athletics
Can Yoenis Cespedes lead the A’s to another division title? Photo from Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports Images
The A’s have won two straight American League West titles, and Yoenis Cespedes and company look to make it lucky number three. Look for Sonny Gray to burst onto the scene as one of the top young starters in baseball.
6. Atlanta Braves
The Braves entire organization is just filled with talent. It shows year in and year old as they continue to produce top-tier prospects that pan out. This year is no different as Julio Teheran is already the ace of a staff that just added Ervin Santana. Add the pitching to a lineup that contains eight players capable of hitting 20 or more home runs, and the Braves could be one of the top teams in baseball this season.
5. Boston Red Sox
The reigning champions always deserve a spot in the top five, but with the loss of Jacoby Ellsbury the Sox will be hoping someone can replace the production. That someone? Former Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore. If he can return to his old self and Clay Buccholz can be as dominant as he was before last year’s injury, the Sox could repeat as AL East champs.
4. Detroit Tigers
With the recent news of Miguel Cabrera’s massive $300 million contract, the Tigers are quietly one of the best teams in the American League. Despite the loss of Doug Fister to the Nationals, the Tigers rotation is still solidified with Verlander, Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez at the top. Pairing those three with the best hitter in baseball in Miguel Cabrera and his teammates, the Tigers are early favorites to win the American League.
3. Washington Nationals
The Nationals are going for it all this year, and why not? They have an incredible rotation of Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and the best fourth starter in baseball in Doug Fister. Add in a great bullpen and a deep lineup featuring Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals could win 100 games in the National League East.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
The highest payroll does not always buy a good team, but in the Dodgers’ case, it does. Los Angeles’ lineup features Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Hanley Ramirez. If that’s not enough, think about the Dodgers’ rotation. Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Zack Greinke, Dan Haren could be the best top four in the game (with the exception of the Nationals).
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Kolten Wong will add yet another weapon to the Cardinals. Photo by Steve Mitchell, USA Today Sports Images
The Cards continue to be the class of the MLB. They do everything right, and never have a lack of talent. As if this team needed anything else, but two top prospects Oscar Taveras and Kolten Wong will make a huge impact for the best team in baseball.
Here’s to a great season. It feels good to say baseball is truly just around the corner.
Photo by Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today Sports Images
In addition to writing here at Sportsnaut, Josh covers fantasy sports, NFL Draft, and daily fantasy sports at sites across the internet. His work has been seen on Pro Football Focus, eDraft, XNSports, Project Roto, The Chicago Tribune, Philly.com and others.