Spring Training is now in its second day for many teams and the dawn of a new season is upon us. A new season also means new MLB Power Rankings. Let’s start off with the number one team in the Majors:
1. Chicago Cubs (103-58 in 2016)
With the Chicago Cubs as the defending champs and adding key pieces to their bullpen (Wade Davis and Koji Uehara), they look to be the early favorite to win it all again in 2017.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71 in 2016)
Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Jose De Leon, Scott Kazmir, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy are all options for the Dodgers rotation. That’s pretty deep, and even if they have injuries, they have other pitchers to fall back on.
3. Cleveland Indians (94-67 in 2016)
The runner-ups to the Cubs in last year’s World Series will be hungry this season. They have added Edwin Encarnacion to boost their power numbers. Also, if Michael Brantley is healthy, it’ll be akin to having an extra offseason, as he was hurt most of last season.
4. Boston Red Sox (93-69 in 2016)
The BoSox are always close. Despite losing David Ortiz to retirement, the young guns in Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. in addition to a slimmer and trimmer Pablo Sandoval, the Red Sox remain a dangerous team.
5. Washington Nationals (95-67 in 2016)
The Nats could feasibly be ranked higher. They don’t have a definitive starting catcher. Matt Wieters would fit the bill and add a catcher who can rake.
6. San Francisco Giants (87-75 in 2016)
The Giants always seem to have a shot in winning the World Series. This season is no different with a rotation that includes Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Matt Moore, which should be formidable.
7. Houston Astros (84-78 in 2016)
The Houston Astros will now have a full season from Alex Bregman, and fellow youngster Carlos Correa should have a good season. Josh Reddick and Brian McCann were also intriguing decisions.
8. Texas Rangers (95-67 in 2016)
Full seasons from Yu Darvish and Jonathan Lucroy should propel the Rangers back into the heat of an AL West race.
9. St. Louis Cardinals (86-76 in 2016)
Bringing in former Cub Dexter Fowler is one of the better moves of the offseason, but the Cardinals need more consistency from their starting rotation if they want to really contend.
10. Baltimore Orioles (89-73 in 2016)
The Orioles always seem to surprise the national media. This season, they will continue to do so. Seth Smith is a meek addition for Baltimore that could assist their run production. However, an injury to starting pitcher Chris Tillman is a major concern.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (89-73 in 2016)
The Blue Jays made moves to bring back Jose Bautista and add Kendrys Morales, but the loss of Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Saunders may be too much to overcome.
12. Seattle Mariners (86-76 in 2016)
James Paxton and Taijuan Walker will make the next step. Felix Hernandez needs to have a bounce back season. They still have Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, who will hit a lot of homers for them.
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (78-83 in 2016)
Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Tyler Glasnow are the key starting pitchers for the Pirates. If they heat up during the season, those guys can take them a long way.
14. New York Yankees (84-78 in 2016)
These young Yankees will be an exciting team to watch from a baseball fan’s perspective. They have a lot of potential.
15. New York Mets (87-75 in 2016)
Their rotation is their biggest strength and bringing back Cespedes will allow their lineup to flourish. Health is the biggest key with the Mets.
16. Colorado Rockies (75-87 in 2016)
Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond. That’s a ferocious outfield. Oh yeah that’s right, the ultra-versatile Desmond is now a first baseman. David Dahl will man the other outfield position.
17. Kansas City Royals (81-81 in 2016)
Losing a player in a car accident is tragic and Yordano Ventura will be missed by everyone. Newly signed Jason Hammel will look to make an impact in the rotation.
18. Detroit Tigers (86-75 in 2016)
Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez, Justin Verlander are all creeping up in age. If the Tigers aren’t playing well to start the season, look for some of these pieces to be moved.
19. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (74-88 in 2016)
Another MVP season from Mike Trout and maybe the Angels can turn it around. Starting pitcher Garrett Richards needs to stay healthy as well.
20. Atlanta Braves (68-93 in 2016)
Old guys unite! The Braves signed R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon to free agent deals this offseason. They should be teachers from this young Braves team that is moving to a new stadium.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks (69-93 in 2016)
They have way too much talent to put together another stinker in 2017. They should at least be a little better.
22. Miami Marlins (79-82 in 2016)
The Marlins will need a big season from Wei-Yin Chen and other starters to make a push for the playoffs this season.
23. Milwaukee Brewers (73-89 in 2016)
Their farm system is very strong. With Zach Davies, they have an interesting future. Question is, what will happen to Ryan Braun if the team struggles?
24. Tampa Bay Rays (68-94 in 2016)
Wilson Ramos could feasibly be one of the better signings of 2017. That’s if he’s healthy by May (torn ACL).
25. Philadelphia Phillies (71-91 in 2016)
Their rotation includes Aaron Nola, Vince Velasquez, Jerad Eickhoff and Jake Thompson, which is solid. However, their lineup needs a lot of work to put a dent in the NL East.
26. Chicago White Sox (78-84 in 2016)
After trading Chris Sale, they have a lot of raw prospects. In the future, they could be very good, but as of right now there will be some growing pains.
For the remaining teams, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all. That’s something that could be said:
27. Oakland Athletics (69-93 in 2016)
28. Cincinnati Reds (68-94 in 2016)
29. Minnesota Twins (59-103 in 2016)
30. San Diego Padres (68-94 in 2016)