MLB power rankings
By MICHAEL SILVERMAN Here we are, six months removed from the Cubs breaking a 108-year title drought in an epic seven-game series against the Indians, and the Earth’s orbit around the sun still continued as if nothing happened. As if. Theo Epstein has been anointed our planet’s greatest leader, the Cubs are expected to win the next six World Series and still, the baseball gods think we deserve another season of baseball. Is this a great country — hell, planet — or what? For the Cubs, we know it is. For the other 29 teams, they still have to show up and see how they measure up against the champs. Check back in seven months to see how that worked out for them. Until then, here are the power rankings for all 30 big-league clubs. Twitter: @MikeSilvermanBB
1. CHICAGO CUBS
Pressure’s on: They are a dynasty in the making, blessed with young, MVP-caliber talent, a deep rotation, a still fantastic bullpen — Wade Davis for Aroldis Chapman's a pretty good swap — and more prospects in the pipeline. The only thing standing in their way is history, and after last October, there's no telling what that now means to the Cubs. This may come down Joe Maddon's ability to motivate his players and keep them hungry.
2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Pressure’s on: This is one of the two N.L. teams that's best equipped to stop the Cubs' run. Deeppocketed and willing to spend in July, Dodgers are already balanced in rotation with Clayton Kershaw, the wickedly talented Julio Urias, and Rich Hill. They brought back closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner, and this could be Yasiel Puig's year to bust out. With a good manager in Dave Roberts, this is the perfect season for this team to jell and spoil Chicago's repeat dreams.
3. CLEVELAND INDIANS
Pressure’s on: So let me see if I have this straight: The Indians took the Cubs to extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series without two of their best pitchers — Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar — and their best overall player, Michael Brantley? And now you're telling me that those three Indians are back this season, plus they have Edwin Encarnacion and Andrew Miller for a full season? OK, I'm sold.
4. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Pressure’s on: This squad's only a tick below the Dodgers. Nationals have Bryce Harper, who's due for a bounce-back season (as a 24-year-old superstar), and the reigning NL Cy Young winner in Max Scherzer. Additions include center fielder Adam Eaton, plus they have emerging young shortstop Trea Turner. The bullpen's not as good as the Dodgers or Cubs, but this team is very close to the best.
5. TEXAS RANGERS 6. HOUSTON ASTROS
JULIO URIAS Pressure’s on: This team's got the second-best lineup in the league — after the Astros — and two of the best starters in Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish. The bullpen does not qualify as elite, but that offense, with young studs like Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara and Jurickson Profar, blending with vets like Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli and Jonathan Lucroy, is loaded.
Pressure’s on: Their story's not all that different than their Lone Star State competitors. The lineup is unparalleled: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Alex Bregman, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran give them a deep and balanced attack. The rotation has health question marks at the top in Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCuullers. The bullpen is quite good, though. Watch out for them.
7. BOSTON RED SOX
Pressure’s on: They're still dripping with talent, but until and unless David Price returns to form from his injured elbow, I'm not jumping on the AL pennant bandwagon. Chris Sale fills in for Price, but Price's absence is a huge innings loss, one that sends shivers through the entire pitching staff. With David Ortiz gone and not replaced, the offense is taking a hit. It's their luck the rest of the AL East is not particularly threatening this season.
8. NEW YORK METS
Pressure’s on: These Mets figure to be pretty strong. That rotation of Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz (whose late spring injury's not a good development) is about as good as what the Dodgers and Cubs have. With Yoenis Cespedes back, and a surplus of outfielders with Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto, as well as a couple of other good bats, the Metropolitans are a good team with great starting pitching. That makes
them contenders.
9. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Pressure’s on: I understand that they lost Edwin Encarnacion, but I'm banking that Kendrys Morales is going to approach Encarnacion's production now that he's hitting in an otherwise still very strong lineup. Josh Donaldson is so, so good, I just wanted to make sure that's known. The rotation, if healthy, and with Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman atop it, trails only Cleveland's.
10. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Pressure’s on: Everything would have to go perfectly — and we all know how often that happens — but the Giants have the type of sneaky talent that could turn into a championship contender. They have a knack for that, don't forget. With new closer Mark Melancon, plus a rotation topped by Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and a solid corps of players, the Giants are my NL pick to click.
11. SEATTLE MARINERS
Pressure’s on: Yes, general manager Jerry Dipoto deserves much credit for wheeling and dealing like a whirling dervish all winter long, but I'm having a tough time seeing how this team got to be such a trendy pick. They're wild-card worthy, probably, but starting with
Felix Hernandez, who is trending downwards, there are health questions in the rotation. The lineup looks fast and fun with some pop. The AL West is going to be wild.
12. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Pressure’s on: Like the Giants, the Cards can usually be counted upon to make a strong, deep run, but this year there seems to be one too many question marks lurking. The pickup of free agent Dexter Fowler was a good one for an underrated 2016 lineup, and starter Carlos Martinez has tremendous upside, but there's not enough reliable pitching for the St. Louis machine to thrive this year.
13. DETROIT TIGERS
Pressure’s on: Like the Giants, this team could make a run for it. Justin Verlander and Jordan Zimmermann would have to turn in prime-like years, and Michael Fulmer would have to repeat his rookie season success. None of that is so much of a stretch. The lineup has thump. If Justin Upton can settle in, the team has wild-card potential. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN
14. COLORADO ROCKIES
Pressure’s on: Jon Gray appears to be the real deal, so the Rockies might have a legitimate ace-caliber pitcher on their staff. There's also a lot of hope and hype surrounding some of his rotation mates. Maybe they have assembled, for the first time since 2007, a decent staff to support Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado. But it's a stretch to think they can contend this year. This is not a complete team.
15. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Pressure’s on: With working-class hero Mark Trumbo resigned, the Orioles will be back to their home run hitting ways. Just not sure they can overachieve as usual. They were not able to boost their outfield defense, and that matters to a team trying to get better at run prevention. Their bullpen, with Zach Britton, is in good shape, but it will come down to a rotation that can be very average or pretty good.
16. NEW YORK YANKEES
Pressure’s on: The team Red Sox fans love to hate is on the cusp of something big, but they are about two years away from their next big run at not only titles but also premier free agents such as Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. In the meantime, the Yankees can watch prodigious hitters such as Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge gain seasoning. They stay in the '17 mix with Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances in the bullpen.
17. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Pressure’s on: The loss of Yordano Ventura will be felt keenly in every way. With this team's core — Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain — in its final year before free agency, this was to be the last rodeo. The odds were steep anyway to get back to 2014-15 glory, now they're much steeper. If they're not in it by July, they could stage a huge sell-off.
18. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pressure’s on: There's still a great deal of high-level talent on this team — Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Josh Harrison and Gerrit Cole — but they do not have the depth they need to mount a serious run, especially without Mark Melancon as their closer. It sounds treasonous but they should stop the rumors and finally trade McCutchen.
19. MIAMI MARLINS
Pressure’s on: Per capita and market size, this franchise leads all others on the soap opera front. That took a tragic turn last summer when ace Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident. More run of the mill drama is on the horizon. They have a tremendous outfield — Marcel Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton — but that's about it, no offense to former Red Sox reliever Brad Ziegler. After they host the All-Star Game, look for the franchise sale rumors.
20. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Pressure’s on: Another season preview about the Rays, another time to point out how the franchise continues to minimize the need for a bat or two to protect Evan Longoria in the lineup before he applies for AARP membership. Their rotation is so good, and pretty deep, too, it defies logic why they don't realize their window to contend is open.
21. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Pressure’s on: No doubt new GM Mike Hazen, coming over from Boston, took this job with both eyes wide open. He knows it's going to be a rough couple of seasons before he can restock both the major- and minorleague teams and restore sanity and implement a wise, long-term strategy. This team has three legit stars in Paul Goldschmidt, Zack Greinke and A.J. Pollock, but that's about it for now.
22. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Pressure’s on: What a shame that for the sixth time in Mike Trout's seven seasons, there will be no postseason for the best player in baseball. The Angels have a better supporting cast around Trout than the Rays do around Longoria, but what they don't have is better pitching. Garret Richards and Matt Shoemaker are both quality starters, but they each have health hurdles to overcome.
23. OAKLAND A’s
Pressure’s on: If all it took to become a contender was to boast an effective and deep bullpen, then the A's would qualify, with Sean Doolittle and Santiago Casilla at the back end. But with Sonny Gray hurt again, and Kendall Graveman as their best starter, that bullpen's good for naught. They play in such a tough division, they should once again become sellers by the All-Star break.
24. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Pressure’s on: By trading Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, the South Siders took two big steps forward in their rebuilding plan. One more step — trading young ace Jose Quintana or closer Dave Robertson — and the White Sox will get much closer, much faster. GM Rick Hahn's a smart guy. Just check back in on this team in about three years. 25. ATLANTA BRAVES
Pressure’s on: The Braves made an effort to assemble some respectable veteran talent (Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and Jaime Garcia) to support ace Julio Teheran, which will give patrons of their brand-new stadium a better reason to come. They are clearly still rebuilding, however, and are two seasons from being competitive.
26. MINNESOTA TWINS
Pressure’s on: I can see, with Byron Buxton in center field, Miguel Sano at third base and Brian Dozier at second base, that the offense could move up into a rather good one should everything click. But I can't see how the rotation, led by Ervin Santana and featuring Phil Hughes in the No. 4 spot, can lead the team out of the AL Central cellar.
27. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Pressure’s on: Among the no-shot teams, the Phillies have at least some reasons for us to pay attention. Any excuse to write or talk about Clay Buchholz is always a good one. Center fielder Odubel Herrera is a dynamic talent, plus Aaron Nola, Vince Velazquez and Jerad Eickhoff are three young starters who could offer hope just in case the unimaginable comes true and Buchholz does not come through.
28. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Pressure’s on: The promise of a lifelong supply of kielbasa could not get me to place faith that this team has a gnat's chance of being a contender this year. Their best player, Ryan Braun, is a trade chip and one that should be dealt before he gains 10-5 rights in May. He has to go, and once he does, the anonymity factor quadruples.
29. SAN DIEGO PADRES
Pressure’s on: Federal and state laws require a minimum of three sentences or two extremely complex ones devoted to each of the 30 teams. I'll comply, but outside of knowing who Yangervis Solarte, Wil Myers and Don Orsillo are, I'm not going to fake curiosity or devote serious time to dissecting a team that has a long ways to go before it can quit being a punching bag.
30. CINCINNATI REDS
When the excitement about the Reds swirls around how many bases Bill Hamilton and phenom second baseman Jose Peraza can combine to steal, you get an inkling of the slim pickings that will be on display in the Queen City over the next six months. Oh yeah, discovering how high Joey Votto can get his OBP to go is always fun, too.