Post by fogle429 on Jul 5, 2011 1:21:17 GMT -5
1. Boston Red Sox- No Question, There is a BIG gap between the Red Sox and the rest of the AL. They have one of the best pitching staff in the league with Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Jon Lester leading the way. They have a very diverse offense capable of getting points in every major catagory. Power from A-Gon, Uggla, and Ortiz; and major Speed from Crawford and Castro. Also, they haven't sacraficed youth to get here. The Red Sox still have a good farm system. A hole at 3B could hold them from topping Philly in overall ranking. Look for them to be Perennial contenders for the World Series.
2. Detroit Tigers- The Tigers have built a team to win now. They have made major aqusitions for Pedroia, Pence, Choo, and Beltre. They have one of the best offenses in the league and for now 2 fantastic closers. If they can upgrade the rotation, they can compete with the Red Sox.
3. New Yor Yankees- 3-8 is a really tight race. Not much to say here. Cano, Jeter, Sabathia, A-Rod, Rivera. The only question is Age. Where will they be in 3 years when the core of this team is gone and the other major pieces are that much older.
4. Tampa Bay Rays- Pitching is 75% of the game, and the Rays have proved that. A fantastic young rotation headed by Price and Shields help them compete in the AL East. They have a nice core offense with Longoria and Upton, but not much behind that which push them down the list a little bit. The Rays do have a Top 5 farm system so look for them to jump up this list when some of these guys get called up to the bigs.
5. Texas Rangers- Again, not much to say. Not many moves made, but then again, the team was a contender from the beginning. A homer happy offense led by Hamilton, Kinsler, and Cruz is the backbone of the team. Decent pitching allow them to be the front runners in the AL West.
6. Chicago White Sox- This may be a shocker, but I think that the White Sox have quietly become a contender in the AL Central. No Blockbuster trades, and no real stand-out stud player, but they do have enough to win. I feel that Chad Billingsley will sure up an aging rotation and a promising young core on offense of Ramirez, Soto, Beckham, and Sandoval help them compete in the AL Central. The one queston would be who plays in the outfield? If they can figure that out, they can move up the list.
7. Baltimore Orioles- I love what the O's are doing. They have added young quality talent to the Major League roster. They are not contenders in the AL East because of the other teams, but they have the pieces to build around. Gallardo, Britton, Rizzo, and Moustakas head the youth movement in Baltimore. Look for them to compete in the next few years.
8. Los Angeles Angels- The Angels have one of the best 1-2 combinations in the league with Weaver and Haren. They have traded for prospects ensuring that they will continue to contend in a weak AL West. The Angels have the official small ball team with lots of speed but not much power. The one question with this team is the aging, slumping outfield.
9. Kansas City Royals- They have added the Piece to build around in Jose Reyes, but might have traded away future all-stars in Moustakas and Duffy to get him. Love the offense, but waiting for the Pitchers to arrive. Not contenders in the AL Central right now, but they are headed in the right direction.
10. Toronto Blue Jays- They have the best power hitters around with Bautista and Lind. They have added nice pieces in Upton and Jennings, and have more coming through the pipelines with Lawrie, Belt, and Phelps. Not really sure whats going on with the rotation.
11. Seattle Mariners- No moves, need offense. They have the best young pitchers in the AL with Hernandez and Penida. Ichiro is getting older and there is literally NO offense behind him. Ackley could help and they have a great farm system. If these guys pan out as they should, they can compete in the weakest division in the league.
12. Oakland A's- I love ths rotation. I think Cahill and Anderson can lead this team to be perenial contenders in the AL West. As with the Mariners, no offense. The only thing seperating them from the Mariners in the Offense. If the Mariners offense is bad, the A's offense is non-existant.
13. Minnesota Twins- This is very harsh and no reflection on the GM or what he has done. This is merely the circumstances of injury problems. If Mauer and Morneau are healthy, they are much higher on this list. I love the outfield with Heyward, Span, and Young. The Pitching could use an Ace, and Liriano's shoes are hard to fill and closer has been a question of late.
14. Cleveland Indians- And last and unfortunately least, Cleveland. The former GM has left this team completely dry of talent. Trading for overpriced aging palyers like Dunn, Hunter, and Rios. A lot of work to do, but I do like Texeiria as a decent piece to work with. Farm system is gone so this team has no future to look forward to as far as right now. Hopefully, they can come up with a nice plan to turn this team into a contender.
If there are any questions, problems, or arguements please feel free to PM me. I would love the input.
2. Detroit Tigers- The Tigers have built a team to win now. They have made major aqusitions for Pedroia, Pence, Choo, and Beltre. They have one of the best offenses in the league and for now 2 fantastic closers. If they can upgrade the rotation, they can compete with the Red Sox.
3. New Yor Yankees- 3-8 is a really tight race. Not much to say here. Cano, Jeter, Sabathia, A-Rod, Rivera. The only question is Age. Where will they be in 3 years when the core of this team is gone and the other major pieces are that much older.
4. Tampa Bay Rays- Pitching is 75% of the game, and the Rays have proved that. A fantastic young rotation headed by Price and Shields help them compete in the AL East. They have a nice core offense with Longoria and Upton, but not much behind that which push them down the list a little bit. The Rays do have a Top 5 farm system so look for them to jump up this list when some of these guys get called up to the bigs.
5. Texas Rangers- Again, not much to say. Not many moves made, but then again, the team was a contender from the beginning. A homer happy offense led by Hamilton, Kinsler, and Cruz is the backbone of the team. Decent pitching allow them to be the front runners in the AL West.
6. Chicago White Sox- This may be a shocker, but I think that the White Sox have quietly become a contender in the AL Central. No Blockbuster trades, and no real stand-out stud player, but they do have enough to win. I feel that Chad Billingsley will sure up an aging rotation and a promising young core on offense of Ramirez, Soto, Beckham, and Sandoval help them compete in the AL Central. The one queston would be who plays in the outfield? If they can figure that out, they can move up the list.
7. Baltimore Orioles- I love what the O's are doing. They have added young quality talent to the Major League roster. They are not contenders in the AL East because of the other teams, but they have the pieces to build around. Gallardo, Britton, Rizzo, and Moustakas head the youth movement in Baltimore. Look for them to compete in the next few years.
8. Los Angeles Angels- The Angels have one of the best 1-2 combinations in the league with Weaver and Haren. They have traded for prospects ensuring that they will continue to contend in a weak AL West. The Angels have the official small ball team with lots of speed but not much power. The one question with this team is the aging, slumping outfield.
9. Kansas City Royals- They have added the Piece to build around in Jose Reyes, but might have traded away future all-stars in Moustakas and Duffy to get him. Love the offense, but waiting for the Pitchers to arrive. Not contenders in the AL Central right now, but they are headed in the right direction.
10. Toronto Blue Jays- They have the best power hitters around with Bautista and Lind. They have added nice pieces in Upton and Jennings, and have more coming through the pipelines with Lawrie, Belt, and Phelps. Not really sure whats going on with the rotation.
11. Seattle Mariners- No moves, need offense. They have the best young pitchers in the AL with Hernandez and Penida. Ichiro is getting older and there is literally NO offense behind him. Ackley could help and they have a great farm system. If these guys pan out as they should, they can compete in the weakest division in the league.
12. Oakland A's- I love ths rotation. I think Cahill and Anderson can lead this team to be perenial contenders in the AL West. As with the Mariners, no offense. The only thing seperating them from the Mariners in the Offense. If the Mariners offense is bad, the A's offense is non-existant.
13. Minnesota Twins- This is very harsh and no reflection on the GM or what he has done. This is merely the circumstances of injury problems. If Mauer and Morneau are healthy, they are much higher on this list. I love the outfield with Heyward, Span, and Young. The Pitching could use an Ace, and Liriano's shoes are hard to fill and closer has been a question of late.
14. Cleveland Indians- And last and unfortunately least, Cleveland. The former GM has left this team completely dry of talent. Trading for overpriced aging palyers like Dunn, Hunter, and Rios. A lot of work to do, but I do like Texeiria as a decent piece to work with. Farm system is gone so this team has no future to look forward to as far as right now. Hopefully, they can come up with a nice plan to turn this team into a contender.
If there are any questions, problems, or arguements please feel free to PM me. I would love the input.
