MLB Power Rankings

[TC in Mississippi]

So because people are running out of player speculations as few name players remain, now comes the time for power rankings. I'm getting a little tired of the Cubs topping people's lists before a game is played but, predictably, they top both Yahoo and SI lists. Beyond that the lists are wildly different:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mlb-power-rankings--hope-springs-eternal-as-camps-open-034229342-mlb.html

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/02/18/the-30-preseason-power-rankings

 

[brett05]

Why do they keep misspelling White Sox as Cubs? Just kidding.

The interesting thing for me is that both lists put the worst 6 teams in all of baseball all residing in the NL.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Why do they keep misspelling White Sox as Cubs? Just kidding.

The interesting thing for me is that both lists put the worst 6 teams in all of baseball all residing in the NL.

I don't think that's much of a question. The NL may have some of the top teams but I can't look at any AL club and say they have zero chance at the playoffs. I waver back and forth on whether that's a good thing though. That means there are a lot of mediocre teams with a shot if everything falls right. My preference is to watch elite teams go about there business but I also understand that parity is good for the game. All that said every single division in the AL seems to have at least 3 serious contenders; AL East: Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto and Baltimore and I'm not sure you can rule out NY. AL Central: Detroit, KC, Cleveland and I'm not ruling out the White Sox or Twins. AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners and Rangers, but in this one I probably do rule out the A's. Should be very interesting.

 

[Parade_Rain]

After years and years of being a sure thing as a bottom feeder, I can not get tired of seeing the Cubs on top of even a preseason list.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

After years and years of being a sure thing as a bottom feeder, I can not get tired of seeing the Cubs on top of even a preseason list.

Yep, I have similar thoughts. Makes me giddy, but it also makes me nervous. That's the Cubs fan in me. Now if the team is as good as it looks I'll gladly ready every piece that praises them.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Yep, I have similar thoughts. Makes me giddy, but it also makes me nervous. That's the Cubs fan in me. Now if the team is as good as it looks I'll gladly ready every piece that praises them.

Yep. Let's see another 90+ season for a back-to-back and then the nervousness of preseason hype about being competitive starts to disappear.

 

[brett05]

I don't think that's much of a question. The NL may have some of the top teams but I can't look at any AL club and say they have zero chance at the playoffs. I waver back and forth on whether that's a good thing though. That means there are a lot of mediocre teams with a shot if everything falls right. My preference is to watch elite teams go about there business but I also understand that parity is good for the game. All that said every single division in the AL seems to have at least 3 serious contenders; AL East: Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto and Baltimore and I'm not sure you can rule out NY. AL Central: Detroit, KC, Cleveland and I'm not ruling out the White Sox or Twins. AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners and Rangers, but in this one I probably do rule out the A's. Should be very interesting.

So the questions that arise are:

1) Are the AL teams mediocre given that they seem to have great parity?
2) Are the NL teams elite considering they have the 6 worst teams to compete against?

I by no means think the White Sox can win the Division, but I do find it somewhat amusing that you place them outside of the top three when the USA Today picks them with the most wins in the AL.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

So the questions that arise are:

1) Are the AL teams mediocre given that they seem to have great parity?
2) Are the NL teams elite considering they have the 6 worst teams to compete against?

I by no means think the White Sox can win the Division, but I do find it somewhat amusing that you place them outside of the top three when the USA Today picks them with the most wins in the AL.

I didn't know that USA Today had picked them there. Could happen, I kind of like their team myself but I think they are a hitter short. That said if Garcia or LaRoche stepped it up they'd be dangerous. I think their pitching top to bottom is top 3 in the AL. I think that division is going to be very tough. Right now I like Detroit at about 93 wins, KC and Cleveland just behind and I don't doubt the White Sox could be right there.

As far as your points. Yes the win totals could be affected but I think the talent level of the top teams in the is a bit higher than the top teams in the AL. Not by a lot but by some. Frankly it's hard for me to say who the best team in the AL is. I'd be tempted to say Houston but I'm not certain.

 

[brett05]

I didn't know that USA Today had picked them there. Could happen, I kind of like their team myself but I think they are a hitter short. That said if Garcia or LaRoche stepped it up they'd be dangerous. I think their pitching top to bottom is top 3 in the AL. I think that division is going to be very tough. Right now I like Detroit at about 93 wins, KC and Cleveland just behind and I don't doubt the White Sox could be right there.

As far as your points. Yes the win totals could be affected but I think the talent level of the top teams in the is a bit higher than the top teams in the AL. Not by a lot but by some. Frankly it's hard for me to say who the best team in the AL is. I'd be tempted to say Houston but I'm not certain.

So I am not sure how you can select the NL as better top tier than the AL. The reason I say that is the IL records. Doesn't mean it can't be the NL, but the data suggests otherwise.

I'd take Houston too if their hitting can be consistent. If Toronto gets some pitching. I could see a vote cast in their direction.

I also think the Sox are a hitter away which has to be Avi or Laroche and they can;t afford any injuries.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

So I am not sure how you can select the NL as better top tier than the AL. The reason I say that is the IL records. Doesn't mean it can't be the NL, but the data suggests otherwise.

I'd take Houston too if their hitting can be consistent. If Toronto gets some pitching. I could see a vote cast in their direction.

I also think the Sox are a hitter away which has to be Avi or Laroche and they can;t afford any injuries.

I just match up the teams talent for talent. Interleague is too weird a concept for me to pay it much mind as a predictor. I think talent wise the Cubs, Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers are all better than any AL club, although the Dodgers look to be a pretty bad mix of talent once again. Houston probably comes right after that and after that your guess is as good as mine. All opinions though and time will tell. I really like what Jerry Dipoto has done in Seattle. If some "ifs" become reality they could be the sleeper team of the AL and could, again if everything goes right, be as talented as any team in the game. I absolutely cannot wait for the season to start.

 

[brett05]

I just match up the teams talent for talent. Interleague is too weird a concept for me to pay it much mind as a predictor. I think talent wise the Cubs, Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers are all better than any AL club, although the Dodgers look to be a pretty bad mix of talent once again. Houston probably comes right after that and after that your guess is as good as mine. All opinions though and time will tell. I really like what Jerry Dipoto has done in Seattle. If some "ifs" become reality they could be the sleeper team of the AL and could, again if everything goes right, be as talented as any team in the game. I absolutely cannot wait for the season to start.

Amen!

 

[Boobaby1]

I just match up the teams talent for talent. Interleague is too weird a concept for me to pay it much mind as a predictor. I think talent wise the Cubs, Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers are all better than any AL club, although the Dodgers look to be a pretty bad mix of talent once again. Houston probably comes right after that and after that your guess is as good as mine. All opinions though and time will tell. I really like what Jerry Dipoto has done in Seattle. If some "ifs" become reality they could be the sleeper team of the AL and could, again if everything goes right, be as talented as any team in the game. I absolutely cannot wait for the season to start.

I actually think the Dodgers are the sleeper out in the West, especially if Ryu comes back to his old self. He has reportedly lost 20 pounds, and he could be they key for them as a stable mid-to-top of the rotation pitcher.

Also, I think they are where the Cubs kinda are, in that they are looking for improvements from the young kids in Pederson and Seager to step up. The Dodgers have some tough arms in the minors knocking on the door. I think Friedman is setting that team up for a long run at success......and did I mention that they have money?

 

[beckdawg]

Why do they keep misspelling White Sox as Cubs? Just kidding.

The interesting thing for me is that both lists put the worst 6 teams in all of baseball all residing in the NL.

I didn't follow the AL super close last year but weren't most of the races like 3-4 teams deep until post july? Seems like the NL was far more top/bottom heavy and the AL was more middling. So, seeing that type of idea isn't that surprising to me.

 

[Diehardfan]

Yep, I have similar thoughts. Makes me giddy, but it also makes me nervous. That's the Cubs fan in me. Now if the team is as good as it looks I'll gladly ready every piece that praises them.

1985. They got sooo close in 84 up 2-0 in the series then losing to San Diego but they were bringing everyone back with upgrades to the pitching and bench. Major hype. Next thing you know one starter after another gets hauled off to the DL...the season was "disabled" shortly after that. This game can bite you in the ass in a real hurry sometimes. You can't take anything as a given.

 

[czman]

Winning the off-season and being the favorite is not always a good thing. I just want to see some meaningful games so we can judge what direction this team is going.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I actually think the Dodgers are the sleeper out in the West, especially if Ryu comes back to his old self. He has reportedly lost 20 pounds, and he could be they key for them as a stable mid-to-top of the rotation pitcher.

Also, I think they are where the Cubs kinda are, in that they are looking for improvements from the young kids in Pederson and Seager to step up. The Dodgers have some tough arms in the minors knocking on the door. I think Friedman is setting that team up for a long run at success......and did I mention that they have money?

You could be right. Again my issue is with the mix. The outfield is questionable at every position, but also deep with the possibility it could be great. That's maddening. Their biggest weakness last year was the set up guys leading up to Jansen and they didn't fix it. Their rotation is the comprised of the best pitcher in the game and 4 BOR starters. I just find them too unpredictable. People see question marks with Arizona and SF but seem to gloss over the ones in LA. Not saying they won't win that division but I have a hard time picking them.

 

[85Bears]

I hope the Sox do win their division. And I also hope they make it to the World Series. Can you imagine what a cross-town World Series would be like?

...And nothing would be sweeter as a Cubs fan than breaking the 108 year drought by beating the Sox in 4. I'm just sayin'...

:cubstroll2: