Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Nov 12, 2012 21:18:25 GMT -5
Pre-Free Agency Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Angels - The defending champs didn't lose anything and should be back in the top spot.
2. Houston Astros - A couple of games away from the World Series... and then you add Albert Pujols. Watch out for Houston.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies should be healthy again, and the star studded lineup should put up big numbers.
4. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies added a front-line pitcher, and should challenge for the NLCS with a revamped staff.
5. New York Yankees - The offense is scary, and the rotation got younger with the addition of Greinke.
6. Cincinnati Reds - The defending National League champs made a few moves to clear cap and get younger; the team is still a contender.
7. Minnesota Twins - The Twins have a lot of young talent on the brink of breaking out; a ton of depth everywhere.
8. Baltimore Orioles - The Orioles boast one of the best rotations in the league. The offense needs help in free agency.
9. St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals are one slugger away from cracking the top five; the pitching should be stellar as usual.
10. Washington Nationals - The Nats got cheated out of the post-season last year. It'll be hard to improve with a likely high-price on Carpenter.
11. Tampa Bay Rays - Perhaps the surprise of these rankings. Four young aces in the rotation. Teheran lurks in AAA.
12. Kansas City Royals - The Royals shot into the playoffs when Detroit faltered. It's time to take the next step as a contender this season.
13. Seattle Mariners - The Mariners were a game away last year, the offense needs to keep up with the solid staff.
14. New York Mets - The Mets have one of the deepest rotations in the league. They've broken through the barrier into playoff contention.
15. Detroit Tigers - Are they rebuilding or reloading? The Tigers could compete by doing nothing! The stars need support though.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks - The D'backs will rely on their rotation this season; the offense must get better to have a chance in the NL.
17. San Diego Padres - The Padres have been a bubble team in the past years. It's all or nothing, big moves need to happen in San Diego.
18. Boston Red Sox - New management should help out an underachieving Boston team. The talent is there, and now they have a GM.
19. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers could be a sleeper team this year; completely solid all around.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - The Blue Jays also have a new GM as the AL East tries to catch BAL and NYY. An early improved rotation shows commitment to winning form the GM.
21. Texas Rangers - Texas got a lot younger, but at the expense of a lot of its veteran talent. This team could be great, or it could be in the bottom third of the league.
22. Oakland Athletics - The A's are slowly climbing the rankings. Small move after small move have eyes turning towards Oakland.
23. Atlanta Braves - The Braves have a solid core of veterans and an incredible depth in their farm system. This team will not be an easy win.
24. Los Angeles Dodgers - It's simple, the Dodgers need an active Free Agency to compete. They have a lot of talent, but it just hasn't come together.
25. San Francisco Giants - The new Giants GM is slowly trying to repair what was destroyed. Matt Cain is the ace the team needed.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates - All eyes are on Machado and Feliz's return. The team has a buzz of excitement with the young stars.
27. Chicago White Sox - A lot of young talent here that has yet to reach its potential. Hang in there Chicago.
28. Chicago Cubs - While their city rivals got the nod, the Cubbies are looking to build around Sale and Griffin anchoring the young rotation.
29. Miami Marlins - The rotation could be solid, but this team needs to improve its farm. You can't stay in no mans land for long.
30. Cleveland Indians - It's obvious that Cleveland isn't shooting for a title this year, but the farm is solid and free agency could bring in some help.
Here is the average ranking of a team in each division. This lets us know the strength of each division. For this, the Astros are placed in the AL West to even everything up. Nothing's decided yet.
AL Central Average: 18.2
AL East Average: 12.4
AL West Average: 11.8
NL West Average: 17.2
NL East Average: 15.8
NL Central Average: 17.6
I can't wait to make the previews after Free Agency!
1. Los Angeles Angels - The defending champs didn't lose anything and should be back in the top spot.
2. Houston Astros - A couple of games away from the World Series... and then you add Albert Pujols. Watch out for Houston.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies should be healthy again, and the star studded lineup should put up big numbers.
4. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies added a front-line pitcher, and should challenge for the NLCS with a revamped staff.
5. New York Yankees - The offense is scary, and the rotation got younger with the addition of Greinke.
6. Cincinnati Reds - The defending National League champs made a few moves to clear cap and get younger; the team is still a contender.
7. Minnesota Twins - The Twins have a lot of young talent on the brink of breaking out; a ton of depth everywhere.
8. Baltimore Orioles - The Orioles boast one of the best rotations in the league. The offense needs help in free agency.
9. St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals are one slugger away from cracking the top five; the pitching should be stellar as usual.
10. Washington Nationals - The Nats got cheated out of the post-season last year. It'll be hard to improve with a likely high-price on Carpenter.
11. Tampa Bay Rays - Perhaps the surprise of these rankings. Four young aces in the rotation. Teheran lurks in AAA.
12. Kansas City Royals - The Royals shot into the playoffs when Detroit faltered. It's time to take the next step as a contender this season.
13. Seattle Mariners - The Mariners were a game away last year, the offense needs to keep up with the solid staff.
14. New York Mets - The Mets have one of the deepest rotations in the league. They've broken through the barrier into playoff contention.
15. Detroit Tigers - Are they rebuilding or reloading? The Tigers could compete by doing nothing! The stars need support though.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks - The D'backs will rely on their rotation this season; the offense must get better to have a chance in the NL.
17. San Diego Padres - The Padres have been a bubble team in the past years. It's all or nothing, big moves need to happen in San Diego.
18. Boston Red Sox - New management should help out an underachieving Boston team. The talent is there, and now they have a GM.
19. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers could be a sleeper team this year; completely solid all around.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - The Blue Jays also have a new GM as the AL East tries to catch BAL and NYY. An early improved rotation shows commitment to winning form the GM.
21. Texas Rangers - Texas got a lot younger, but at the expense of a lot of its veteran talent. This team could be great, or it could be in the bottom third of the league.
22. Oakland Athletics - The A's are slowly climbing the rankings. Small move after small move have eyes turning towards Oakland.
23. Atlanta Braves - The Braves have a solid core of veterans and an incredible depth in their farm system. This team will not be an easy win.
24. Los Angeles Dodgers - It's simple, the Dodgers need an active Free Agency to compete. They have a lot of talent, but it just hasn't come together.
25. San Francisco Giants - The new Giants GM is slowly trying to repair what was destroyed. Matt Cain is the ace the team needed.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates - All eyes are on Machado and Feliz's return. The team has a buzz of excitement with the young stars.
27. Chicago White Sox - A lot of young talent here that has yet to reach its potential. Hang in there Chicago.
28. Chicago Cubs - While their city rivals got the nod, the Cubbies are looking to build around Sale and Griffin anchoring the young rotation.
29. Miami Marlins - The rotation could be solid, but this team needs to improve its farm. You can't stay in no mans land for long.
30. Cleveland Indians - It's obvious that Cleveland isn't shooting for a title this year, but the farm is solid and free agency could bring in some help.
Here is the average ranking of a team in each division. This lets us know the strength of each division. For this, the Astros are placed in the AL West to even everything up. Nothing's decided yet.
AL Central Average: 18.2
AL East Average: 12.4
AL West Average: 11.8
NL West Average: 17.2
NL East Average: 15.8
NL Central Average: 17.6
I can't wait to make the previews after Free Agency!
