Post by Brian R (Rangers) on Jun 4, 2011 15:28:13 GMT -5
Divisional
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. New York Yankees
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Kansas City Royals
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland A's
4. Seattle Mariners
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Cincinatti Reds
6. Houston Astros
NL West
1. San Diego Padres
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
OVERALL POWER RANKINGS
1. San Diego Padres - Although they have thrown the future of their ballclub away, the Padres have made it clear that they are looking to compete in 2011. They now have "The Four Headed Monster" consisting of the likes of Lincecum, Jimenez, Buchholz, and Garcia. With a little to no downgrade in offense (A-Gon to Zim), watch out SF.
2. Boston Red Sox - The Red Sox made several moves to improve their ballclub in 2011. They added the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, Dan Uggla, and Matt Cain, while losing Dustin Pedroia, but with a healthy Youkilis and a bounceback year out of the rotation, the Red Sox could be a WS threat in the upcoming year.
3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Entering the offseason, the Angels already had one of the depthiest rotations in the game, with the likes of Weaver, Haren, and Santana. With lot's of money to spend, the Angels brought in bats such as Morneau and Phillips to sure up the offense. If Morales stays healthy and they acquire a surefire closer, they could be dangerous in 2011.
4. Atlanta Braves - The Braves sured up their offense this offseason, trading for OF Justin Upton and his brother, BJ. They brought in veteran DH Jim Thome and dealt for Garrett Jones. With a loaded rotation of young guns and a bullpen led by Chris Perez, the Braves will put up a show in the '11 season to come.
5. Toronto Blue Jays - In a quiet offseason, the Blue Jays added stud 2B Chase Utley, young OF Jay Bruce and Japanese start Nishioka. With an arising rotation consisting of the likes of Shaun Marcum and Brandon Morrow, the Jays could fight for the wild card, if not the division next year.
6. New York Yankees - They are the Yankees. They fall on my list because they lossed Jeter and likely Rivera and Pettite, but Tejada could be a key addition. Again, they are the Yankees. They are aging, though.
7. Philadelphia Phillies - Although a loss of Chase Utley is hard, the "Phitin Phils" have bolstered their rotation, by acquiring Romero and Shields, and who knows what they have in store. This will be a close race, my friends.
8. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers added Brian McCann to an already astounding offense, and if they can aquire a solid top of the rotation arm, they could easily take the central in 2011.
9. Minnesota Twins - The Twins lossed Mauer and Morneau, but they added a heap of young talent, from Harper to Ackley. They also acquired a guy by the name of... Joey Votto, the MVP, and improved apon their rotation.
10. San Francisco Giants - Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Jon Sanchez are huge losses, but San Fran made up for it. They acquired alot of young MLB ready talent. Gordon Beckham, Chris Sale, Mat Latos, and a TON of young prospects. Expect a playoff contender in 2011, and a HUGE playoff threat for many years to come.
11. St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals have one of the better rotations and lineups in the MLB and with the addition of Sizemore to go along with Pujols and Holliday, the Cardinals will certainly be close.
12. Texas Rangers - It is no secret that the Rangers have a great offense, whether it's Josh Hamilton or Elvis Andrus. The loss of Cliff Lee will definitely sting, but the offseason isn't over yet. Will the Rangers re-sign him? Pavano? De La Rosa? Peavy? Or is a trade for a pitcher in the near future?
13. Detroit Tigers - The Tigers added Corey Hart, Lyle Overbay, Travis Hafner, and John Buck to a dangerous offense. With Verlander and Scherzer at the top with an elite closer in Valverde, the Tigers will make a run for it in the approaching year.
14. Chicago Cubs - The Cubs added Heath Bell and Matt Holliday to an arising team. But could huge contracts such as Zambrano and Lee hold the Cubs from acquiring more elite talent?
15. Los Angeles Dodgers - The Dodgers added slugging 1B Paul Konerko to an already nice offense. With a rotation led by Kershaw, the Dodgers could be a sleeper in 2011.
16. Oakland A's - The A's added Carlos Pena to a struggling offense, and with one of the best young rotations in the game, the A's are an interesting team in 2011. Another bat would certainly help at their chances.
17. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies have one of the best young offenses in the game consisting of Troy Tulo and Car-Go, but the loss of Ubaldo Jimenez with a minimal return stings. Is a Lee acquisition in the near future?
18. Cleveland Indians - The Indians added the best C in the game in the mix by adding Joe Mauer, and brought in solid bats such as Chris Coghlan and Colby Rasmus. Although losses of Sizemore and Santana hurt, they have improved upon their farm system, and it is safe to say the Cleveland has improved for the '11 season.
19. Tampa Bay Rays - Losses such as Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and potentially Rafael Soriano are huge. But the young core of the team is still in tact, as Longo and Price will lead the team in 2011. Kubel is a nice bat to have around, and the farm system is a cause for celebration.
20. New York Mets - The Mets have a rather nice core of David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Ike Davis, but Santana has lingering shoulder issues and the rest of the rotation is a huge question mark. Will Beltran and Bay stay healthy? Will Pagan return to his 2010 form?
21. Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates have alot to be excited about for 2011. While they may not neccesarily be a contender yet, they have secured a solid rotation and Adam Dunn and Danny Valencia are solid additions to the offense. Will the losses of Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker hold them back?
22. Washington Nationals - While the Nat's have added alot of young talent to an already young team, it seems to me as if they are rebuilding. Zim to Pedroia is a downgrade, but LaPorta, Cain, and Brown are all positive pieces. A SP could do them well. They will be a contender sometime soon.
23. Florida Marlins - The Marlins are moving in the right direction. A loss of Dan Uggla is tough, but they added alot of young talent and Neil Walker is no slouch.
24. Seattle Mariners - They have Felix. They have Ichiro. Now all they need is a solid offense, and they will be good again. Pineda and Franklin are in the minors, so the wait shouldnt be too long.
25. Cincinatti Reds - Maybe a huge underrating, but Joey Votto and Bronson Arroyo are huge losses. The Reds are getting younger, and they better hope that Alvarez, Young, Duensing among others, will come through like the ones traded.
26. Chicago White Sox - After leaving Peavy and Buerhle off of their roster, they recently dealt Beckham, Quentin, and Sale as well. While I am not ready to totally write them off, those are huge losses, and I wonder if the packages received were the absolute maximum that could have been had.
27. Arizona Diamondbacks - The Diamondbacks dealt Upton and Kennedy, but acquired some nice players such as Prado and Freeman. But without Haren and Jackson for a whole season, it seems like it might be a struggle for the D'Backs in 2011. They are moving in the right path, though.
28. Kansas City Royals - With Greinke now pitching in one of the most hitter friendly parks, it might be a personal goal for KC to deal Greinke and receive a heap of young talent now. In that scenario, the Royals will have the best system in baseball, and could compete as early as 2012.
29. Baltimore Orioles - They are moving in the right direction, but they aren't there yet, as is expected with a young team in a really tough division. Hanrahan and Huff are nice acquisitions, and Sizemore and Wood could be legit sleepers.
30. Houston Astros - Facing the facts, the Astros have a ways to go. Hunter Pence and Chris Carpenter are certainly highlights, but it is rather blank after that. If they can deal some veteran talent and build up that farm around Lyles, they could compete in a weaker division around the league.
TO BE UPDATED WITHIN THE MONTH.