2011 FGM Power Rankings

[Colby]

I am not sure how often I can update them this year.  Too many player changes to point out names, but a lot of the same teams in the mix with some surprises and expected gains...

Grades: [Score, Batting, Pitching]

Week 1 Power Rankings
1) - (0-0) [93.34%/B+/A] - Only true Philly on offense is Howard but pitching matches the Phils' fearsome four for the best pitching in MLB (1)
2) - (0-0) [91.66%/A/B] - Pujols, Utley, Braun - why do we question Milwaukee? (-1)
3) - (0-0) [87.27%/B+/B] - Reigning champs didn't need to do much, how will Kuroda hold up? (3)
4) - (0-0) [87.00%/B/B+] - Cleveland has really put it together to make a run at the division title with solid veteran talent (and young studs like Gallardo and Votto) across the board, I like this team (6)
5) - (0-0) [86.93%/A/C+] - Rockies soap opera - star power AB, little to no depth, but story of the year is their pitching… perhaps the most improved team in the offseason since they had nearly no pitching last year (16)
6) - (0-0) [86.30%/B/B+] - A's have young core back for another AL West run, but are susceptible to depth issues (-1)
7) - (0-0) [85.66%/B+/C+] - Reigning AL Champs have little pitching depth (-3)
8) - (0-0) [84.80%/B+/C+] - Offense is loaded w/Morneau, Dunn, Heyward, Uggla, Prado, and Ellsbury / little pitching depth (6)
9) - (0-0) [84.43%/B/B] - Many cheap veterans and young specs may go unnoticed at first glance… strong Cardinals team again
10) - (0-0) [83.43%/B-/B] - Pirates will start off with better pitching and will hope to avoid injuries (10)
11) - (0-0) [83.30%/B-/B] - Surprise playoff team from 2010 comes back with vets that do well in this league (Helton) and plenty of bench support and depth (1)
12) - (0-0) [83.27%/B/B-] - Little offensive depth, stud players there, some decent pitching but not the greatest (-5)
13) - (0-0) [83.04%/C+/B] - Jays lost a lot as focus shifts to pitching (-10)
14) - (0-0) [82.40%/B/C+] - Better bats than real-life Rays, rotation okay outside of Price, deepest bullpen ever (5)
15) - (0-0) [81.40%/B/C+] - Sizemore, Betemit questionable - pitching okay, tough to beat A's (1)
16) - (0-0) [80.17%/C+/B-] - I am not a fan of many of the White Sox position players here, but young rotation looks great (-3)
17) - (0-0) [78.40%/B-/C] - Zero depth at the positions but some stars there - pitching is average, Red Sox need help (-2)
18) - (0-0) [77.36%/B/C] - Detroit has offensive potential, but rotation is weak link (-10)
19) - (0-0) [76.00%/C/C] - Bats have improved but will Bautista reproduce '10 campaign?  D'Backs look to build on strong 2nd half (-2)
20) - (0-0) [75.84%/D/B+] - When will Trout be called up?  Weak bats, little depth, excellent top of rotation (-2)
21) - (0-0) [74.24%/D/B] - Yuk…. No offense, can't even fill C/CI positions, pitching is only bright spot (-10)
22) - (0-0) [73.30%/C/C] - Twins signed too many aging vets  (3)
23) - (0-0) [70.00%/C/D] - Cubs have a bright future, weak bats, and a nice ace in Verlander (-1)
24) - (0-0) [67.96%/C/D] - Signed Michael Young, but many guys still in the farm as team is shorthanded (2)
25) - (0-0) [67.83%/D/D] - Royals can't mature quick enough, Fielder is huge for offense (5)
26) - (0-0) [64.80%/C/F] - Nats have offensive potential, but zero pitching (-2)
27) - (0-0) [64.34%/F/D] - Many holes, relying on Ackley and Chris Davis
28) - (0-0) [60.30%/F/D] - Not much has changed here.. Still relying on AAAA talent at most positions
29) - (0-0) [59.37%/F/D] - Pitching may keep them from being worst team
30) - (0-0) [58.87%/F/F] - The Mutts look like the worst team in the league… GM is in question still (-7)

[Colby]

As it stands right now, the power rankings like the following playoff teams...

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[Dan Wood]

10) - (0-0) [83.43%/B-/B] - Pirates will start off with better pitching and will hope to avoid injuries (10)

Oh no Johnny Cueto

[Colby]

Oh no Johnny Cueto

I am not too worried about Cueto just yet...

Funniest part of the rankings is the NL Central (sans Brewers, Cubbies)

9) - (0-0) [84.43%/B/B] - Many cheap veterans and young specs may go unnoticed at first glance… strong Cardinals team again
10) - (0-0) [83.43%/B-/B] - Pirates will start off with better pitching and will hope to avoid injuries (10)
11) - (0-0) [83.30%/B-/B] - Surprise playoff team from 2010 comes back with vets that do well in this league (Helton) and plenty of bench support and depth (1)
12) - (0-0) [83.27%/B/B-] - Little offensive depth, stud players there, some decent pitching but not the greatest (-5)

[h4cheng]

Good read Colby. Here is how I would rank the NL Central:

STL
MIL
<big gap>
PIT
CIN
<bigger gap>
HOU

[Mr.TradeKing]

I really don't think I am that far away from the Phillies. I will be interested to see what the rankings are come Opening Day, if I can make 1 or 2 more trades in the meantime. With that being said, very good job Colby.

~MTK

[Canada8999]

Great post, as always Colby.  Glad the Brewers are finally getting some love, hopefully the old-timers can stay healthy 

[joeshmoe]

You really think the Mets have less talent than San Diego?  If they do it wont last that way for long, they have that nice salary cap! 

[Dan Wood]

Good read Colby. Here is how I would rank the NL Central:

STL
MIL
<big gap>
PIT
CIN
<bigger gap>
HOU

Howe don't you mean

MIL
Jake's mom's teeth
PIT
CIN
Jake's mom's legs
HOU

[h4cheng]

Dan just rocked bottomed Jake on the accouncer table, so ruthless.