Power Rankings

[Dan Wood]

You wanted it you got it...Just one man's opinion

POWER RANKINGS - 4/23/12

1. Dodgers - Looking for a three-peat (crap I owe Pat Riley money now). Sick, sick line-up and enough pitching to get them by.
2. Oakland - You've heard of stars and scrubs, this is stars and solids. Rob could use some pitching as it looks like Liriano is heading to an asylum.
3. Yankees - Despite injuries, they still have some of the best players at their respective positions. If Morse and Crawford don't come back soon, I don't think they hold this ranking for long.
4. Rockies - The collection of talent is just too good. This is an instance where you can blame their record on the manager.
5. Phillies - Age may one day catch up to this team, but for right now they are firing on all cylinders.
6. Braves - They have performed well thus far. Sick pitching staff - arguably the best, however his bats will need to keep it up in order to maintain this position.
7. Brewers - Usually in the top 3, but the Brewers are hurting right now from injury and under performance. Lack of depth has hurt them thus far.
8.  Boston - Jeter's hot start and and excellent pitching staff of 2,000 land them here. They could use a bell cow in their line-up.
9. Rangers - Best record in FGM. Solid from top to bottom. Most of his line-up has gotten off to an insane start. If they can keep it up then they will be a giant headache for the A's.
10. Reds - Need Ike, Beckham, Duda, and Montero to turn things around. Injuries to the pitching staff have hurt.
11. Rays - Unfortunately they play in the AL East, but if they add a SP soon, then they could be a lot of trouble.
12. Twins - Really like the combo of Mourneau and Hafner. Solid team in a very close division.
13. Cardinals - Can't count Paul out, ever...but if some of his players don't step up then it could be a long season in what is considered the toughest division in this league.
14. Astros - I feel this ranking will change and we will see the Stros in the top 10. It is a very well constructed ball-club. Francisco may be playing above his head at the moment.
15. Royals - Partying like it's 2007. D. Wright and HanRam are back. Santana is a stud. Has reinforcements on the way in Fister (giggle) and Timmy Hudson. My pick to win the AL Central.
16. Indians - Another solid team that plays in a Central division. Panda, Votto, Werthless, and Choo make this an interesting team. Can't see Schafer maintaining his level of performance.
17. Pirates - Wieters has arrived. Gio is for real. Swisher is out of his mind. Ethier is back. Youk is done.
18. Nats - Jake has done an excellent job with this team that was a steaming pile as of last season. Prince and Desi make for a solid foundation, and has some very underrated pitching after Kershaw.
19. Currently first in their division. Injury to Hudson hurts. How long can Pena, Cozart, and Jackson keep this up?
20. Blue Jays - Giving Daniel the benefit of the doubt on this because he has proved me worng in the past, just don't see the talent on this squad that this team has had in the past.
21. Cubs - After an off-season exorcism the Cubs have a pulse. Phillips and Gordon need to get their crap together, Carp needs off the DL, and Trout needs to be in the OF. They could make some noise.
22. Mets - Another team built with a endless bank account. When will Harper show up, when will they get some pitching.
23. Marlins - Upset my Reds this week. If Rios is back, coupled with Delmon, Sweeney, and AJ, this team may do more damage than people think.
24. D'Backs - Last years team that came out of nowhere. Could use that extra push that Ells gave them last season, you know if he wasn't hurt and in Baltimore.
25. Tigers - This team should be putting up better numbers than they have. Does Damon have anything left?
26. Mariners - Built more for the long haul, it'll be interesting to see how long Cargo remains in town
27. Giants - Pitching, nuff said. Flash has gotta find a way to get some bats in that line up. Flash is leading the free Brandon Belt charge.
28. Angels - His pitching should be better than it is. Clint Barmes has submarined the teams efforts thus far. I think we will see better results from this franchise.
29. Padres - Has a bunch of usable supporting players (Latos non-withstanding). Needs to get some top tier talent to SD.
30. Orioles - Ells going down was a huge blow, but this GM should be commended for sticking to the plan. If scouting reports are to be believed, then this team will be very good one of these days.


So that is that, first power ranking of the year. I don't like doing them too early because you really don't have a sense of what to expect from each team. I think we are getting to a place where every team can be competitive on a week to week basis. We still have dominant teams, no doubt, but in years past it was 4-5 teams and then everyone else. #10-20 could be argued and swapped all day long. Same with #20-29.

[joeshmoe]

You wanted it you got it...Just one man's opinion

POWER RANKINGS - 4/23/12

1. Dodgers - Looking for a three-peat (crap I owe Pat Riley money now). Sick, sick line-up and enough pitching to get them by.
2. Oakland - You've heard of stars and scrubs, this is stars and solids. Rob could use some pitching as it looks like Liriano is heading to an asylum.
3. Yankees - Despite injuries, they still have some of the best players at their respective positions. If Morse and Crawford don't come back soon, I don't think they hold this ranking for long.
4. Rockies - The collection of talent is just too good. This is an instance where you can blame their record on the manager.
5. Phillies - Age may one day catch up to this team, but for right now they are firing on all cylinders.
6. Braves - They have performed well thus far. Sick pitching staff - arguably the best, however his bats will need to keep it up in order to maintain this position.
7. Brewers - Usually in the top 3, but the Brewers are hurting right now from injury and under performance. Lack of depth has hurt them thus far.
8.  Boston - Jeter's hot start and and excellent pitching staff of 2,000 land them here. They could use a bell cow in their line-up.
9. Rangers - Best record in FGM. Solid from top to bottom. Most of his line-up has gotten off to an insane start. If they can keep it up then they will be a giant headache for the A's.
10. Reds - Need Ike, Beckham, Duda, and Montero to turn things around. Injuries to the pitching staff have hurt.
11. Rays - Unfortunately they play in the AL East, but if they add a SP soon, then they could be a lot of trouble.
12. Twins - Really like the combo of Mourneau and Hafner. Solid team in a very close division.
13. Cardinals - Can't count Paul out, ever...but if some of his players don't step up then it could be a long season in what is considered the toughest division in this league.
14. Astros - I feel this ranking will change and we will see the Stros in the top 10. It is a very well constructed ball-club. Francisco may be playing above his head at the moment.
15. Royals - Partying like it's 2007. D. Wright and HanRam are back. Santana is a stud. Has reinforcements on the way in Fister (giggle) and Timmy Hudson. My pick to win the AL Central.
16. Indians - Another solid team that plays in a Central division. Panda, Votto, Werthless, and Choo make this an interesting team. Can't see Schafer maintaining his level of performance.
17. Pirates - Wieters has arrived. Gio is for real. Swisher is out of his mind. Ethier is back. Youk is done.
18. Nats - Jake has done an excellent job with this team that was a steaming pile as of last season. Prince and Desi make for a solid foundation, and has some very underrated pitching after Kershaw.
19. Currently first in their division. Injury to Hudson hurts. How long can Pena, Cozart, and Jackson keep this up?
20. Blue Jays - Giving Daniel the benefit of the doubt on this because he has proved me worng in the past, just don't see the talent on this squad that this team has had in the past.
21. Cubs - After an off-season exorcism the Cubs have a pulse. Phillips and Gordon need to get their crap together, Carp needs off the DL, and Trout needs to be in the OF. They could make some noise.
22. Mets - Another team built with a endless bank account. When will Harper show up, when will they get some pitching.
23. Marlins - Upset my Reds this week. If Rios is back, coupled with Delmon, Sweeney, and AJ, this team may do more damage than people think.
24. D'Backs - Last years team that came out of nowhere. Could use that extra push that Ells gave them last season, you know if he wasn't hurt and in Baltimore.
25. Tigers - This team should be putting up better numbers than they have. Does Damon have anything left?
26. Mariners - Built more for the long haul, it'll be interesting to see how long Cargo remains in town
27. Giants - Pitching, nuff said. Flash has gotta find a way to get some bats in that line up. Flash is leading the free Brandon Belt charge.
28. Angels - His pitching should be better than it is. Clint Barmes has submarined the teams efforts thus far. I think we will see better results from this franchise.
29. Padres - Has a bunch of usable supporting players (Latos non-withstanding). Needs to get some top tier talent to SD.
30. Orioles - Ells going down was a huge blow, but this GM should be commended for sticking to the plan. If scouting reports are to be believed, then this team will be very good one of these days.


So that is that, first power ranking of the year. I don't like doing them too early because you really don't have a sense of what to expect from each team. I think we are getting to a place where every team can be competitive on a week to week basis. We still have dominant teams, no doubt, but in years past it was 4-5 teams and then everyone else. #10-20 could be argued and swapped all day long. Same with #20-29.

Dan these look great, thanks!  I really enjoyed reading through....although I think you have my Padres pegged all wrong....which I like

[VolsRaysBucs]

Rays are hoping Jarrod Parker is that SP you were speaking of DW 

[Jake]

I liked the Pat Riley bit. Nothing else caught my eye.

[Dan Wood]

Maybe because you weren't looking at dudes in chaps...

[Jake]

...I'm sorry, did you say something? I keep getting distracted searching for the next George Michael concert.

[VolsRaysBucs]

...I'm sorry, did you say something? I keep getting distracted searching for the next George Michael concert.

He's doing a remake...it's called "I want your SPECS...I want your STUDS." 

[Colby]

I think the teams 10-20 could easily switch places.  They are all very close in talent.  Luck will ultimately separate them as the teams in the top 9 spots are either big market powerhouses or established small market machines such as Oakland and Milwaukee.

[joeshmoe]

I think the teams 10-20 could easily switch places.  They are all very close in talent.  Luck will ultimately separate them as the teams in the top 9 spots are either big market powerhouses or established small market machines such as Oakland and Milwaukee.

Agreed, but I think we could see a leveling out here in the next few years.  I suspect the Orioles to be a great team very shortly.

I know the Padres made questionable decisions in my first draft, and etc. but I think last year was a great draft for SD.  Baez, Lopez, Meyer (is a giant LHP).  Just took some time.  I also have a small market which handicaps my teams pursuit of Free Agents.  Lastly, the former regimes hadn't really left much.  Tate was a disappointment thus far. 

[Dan Wood]

Big changes this week in the power rankings.