That being said, on to the American Pastime. I know its only Spring Training but many of the teams rosters are set and the season is only 3 weeks away. I can't wait for this season to get started. There are a lot of awesome powerhouse teams and some up and comers in baseball this year. I have the feeling that this year is going to be very interesting and have much more intrigue than in years past. I am going to post power rankings about every 2 weeks once the season starts or when a catastrophic injury happens (lets hope that this doesn't happen but it always will. So without further adieu...
1. BOSTON RED SOXI think that Theo Epstien is a baseball genius. I know that he his team has one of the highest payrolls in the league, but he also does a great job with the farm system and bringing in the right kind of players. Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are amazing additions to the team and both players are potential MVP candidates. The pitching staff is solid and the bull pen has the potential to be amazing if Bobby Jenks can rebound. I am worried about this team staying healthy but assuming that the roster is fresh by the time the season starts, they are the team to beat.
2. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES This team could have the best rotation in the history of baseball with a team ERA around 3.50. I think that Oswalt might be over the hill or maybe he just lost some of his stuff, but he is still the best 4th starter in baseball. Ruben Amaro looks like he knows what he is doing and I love Charlie Manuel. The only thing that I am worried about is the ability for this team to stay healthy. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, Brad Lidge, Jose Contreras, Danys Baez, Roy Hallady, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Joe Blanton are all on the wrong side of 30. That is really scary. If they can stay healthy they will win the World Series, but I doubt that they will. I hope that I'm wrong though, if this team stays healthy and plays to their potential they could win 110 games.
3. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS The Giants are a perfect example of how important pitching can be. Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Sanchez, and Zito could be the best rotation by the time the season is over. These guys are all young studs with the exception of Zito. Brian Wilson is one of the best closers in the game and the rest of the bullpen is strong. The only thing that bothers me about this team is that they have a weak offense. Pablo Sandoval may be a perennial underachiever, Pat Burrell is over the hill, Miguel Tejada is washed up, and Aubrey Huff is a good player but he's not special. They are still good defensively though. If Buster Posey and Andres Torres develop into potent hitters...look out.
4.TEXAS RANGERSAfter spending the last 5 years building one of the best farm systems in baseball and making shrewd trades the Rangers finally got there crap together and made it to the post season. It hurts to have Cliff Lee bolt on them but they still have a lot of talent on their young team. Adrian Beltre may only play hard in contract years but he is always a gold glover at the hot corner. Josh Hamilton, Julio Borbon, and Nelson Cruz are a great outfield and Elvis Andrus and Kinsler are strong up the middle. They also have a strong bullpen and starting rotation. If their young rotations continues to grow they might be able to overcome losing Cliff Lee. I think they are close to a lock to win the division.
5. CHICAGO WHITE SOXThe White Sox really upgraded their team when they brought in Adam Dunn. This guy is and incredible power hitter and I think that he could hit 50 homers in The Cell. Alexi Ramirez might be the best short stop in the American League and Alex Rios finally lived up to his potential. The rotation is strong and so far it looks like Jake Peavy is going to be able to come back and be effective, giving the White Sox one of the best rotations in baseball. The bullpen doesn't have a established closer but Chris Sale, Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain, and Sergio Santos all have electric stuff. If Konerko can play near his career averages and Quentin's body holds up, the White Sox will be World Series contenders.
6. NEW YORK YANKEESThe Yankees put all their eggs in the Cliff Lee basket and they dropped it. If Bartolo Colon is looking like your 5th starter than your rotation is in serious trouble. There is no doubt that the Yankees can slug there way to victory but pitching wins in the playoffs. Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, and Sergio Mitre are competing for the final 2 spots in the rotation. I can't get over how pathetic that bunch is. It Pittsburgh Pirates bad. They are going to need Mariano Rivera and Rafael Soriano in a big way this year because the Yanks are going to be pulling their pitchers in the 4th or 5th inning way more than they should. That being said Mark Texiera, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, and Nick Swisher can generate a lot of runs so don't count them out.
7. CINCINNATI REDS I think that it is great when a team like the Reds, who have been at the bottom of the NL for years, get their act together and make the playoffs. I love Joey Votto and and Brandon Phillps, those guys know how to play baseball and they do it the right way. Scott Rolen is a great guy to have on this young team because he is a pro's pro who has been to the playoffs and knows what it takes to win. Edison Volquez, Bronson Arroyo, Johnney Cueto, Travis Wood, and Homer Baily make up a good young rotation and the Reds bullpen is solid. They are not a threat to the Giants or Phillies but they are likely a playoff team.
8.ATLANTA BRAVES There is a new era in Atlanta now that legendary manager Bobby Cox has retired. I wish Cox the best. I loved his fire for the game and longevity. Martin Prado, Dan Uggla, Jason Heyward, and Brian McCann are a great core of young-ish position players and Chipper Jones is HOF. I like their starting rotation a lot. Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson are steady veterans that will always give the Braves a chance to win and Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, and Mike Minor are solid young pitchers. I am a little worried about Graig Kimbrel. Its not a good thing when a contending team has a rookie closer but the Braves know how to develop their young players so don't count him out. I think there are a lot of teams in the American League that are better than the Braves but they won't make it to the post season because the AL is so stacked.
I will have NBA power rankings up on Monday and post the rest of my MLB spring training power rankings though out the next couple of days. Party on guys.
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