Power Rankings

[Dan Wood]

Heading into week 8...

1)  Los Angeles Dodgers  (47-9) - Had an un-Dodger like week and still went 7-1.
2)  St. Louis Cardinals  (44-12) - Rolled last week. Team seems to be getting better.
3) Boston Red Sox  (46-10) - Added Konerko from the Phils for AAAdam Lind, and an unknown in Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo may come back to hurt, but probably not for at least 3 years. 
4)  Texas Rangers  (44-12) - A.J Ellis seems to have been created for our scoring. Andrus is having a superb season.
5)  Kansas City Royals  (39-17) - I'm glad Reid thought that Gaby Sanchez was a decent get for D.Wright's services.
6)  Philadelphia Phillies  (45-11) - Moved some serious weight in Konerko, Rollins, and  Zobrist. May catch up to him this season as the Nats, Braves, and Mets are within range.
7) Cleveland Indians  (40-16) - Seems to making due without Panda and Werth. Imagine if they were playing.
8)  Cincinnati Reds  (41-15) - Added Buster and Ichiro, Tejada on the way back. Beckham showing some life. Hoping the only way to go is up.
9) Atlanta Braves  (33-23) - Brutal 1-7 week. Freese and Captain Kirk are starting to slow down.
10) Chicago White Sox  (37-19) -  Austin Jackson continues to lead the charge.
11)  Pittsburgh Pirates  (30-26) - Ethier, Swisher, Gio, and the surprising Juan Pierre continue to drive this team.
12)  Washington Nationals  (31-25) - Bad week for the upstart Nats. Big Papi arrives in town, and Thole is on the way back.
13) Tampa Bay Rays  (29-27) - Can they hang around long enough for Longo's return.   
14) New York Yankees  (28-28) - Team just doesn't seem to be able to get it together.
15)  Colorado Rockies  (25-31) - Yo Gaby Gaby to AAA. Gets a player back, loses another one.
16)  Oakland Athletics  (23-33) - Might be a lost season in Oaktown. Time to move to San Jose?
17)  Houston Astros  (25-31) - Better than their record.
18)  New York Mets  (24-32) - The Prince of NY has arrived. Adding pieces to make a run.
19)  Seattle Mariners  (29-27) - This may be their ceiling, but should be better in the coming years.
20)  Milwaukee Brewers  (22-34) - Puma out for two months. Albert, Jemile, and Hosmer have yet to wake up. Having a real tough year.
21)  Minnesota Twins  (29-27) - Setting himself up for the future with recent deals. Still has enough talent to be competitive.
22) Chicago Cubs (17-39) - The era of Trout begins.
23)  San Francisco Giants  (22-34) - Had a good week, but dealt with some tough luck. This team gives you a run for the money every time out.
24)  Detroit Tigers  (23-33) - Big week, are the Tigers about to get hot?
25)  Toronto Blue Jays  (18-38) - Another perennial contender having a rough year.
26)  Miami Marlins  (15-41) - Just can't keep up with the top 4 in the NL East. AAAdam Lind demotion really hurt. 
27)  Arizona Diamondbacks  (14-42) - Not enough hitting.
28)  Los Angeles Angels  (6-50) - Can Vladdy jump start this team?
29)  San Diego Padres  (13-43) - Scouts are out prepping for draft
30)  Baltimore Orioles  (1-55) - Where will Big Z land?
 

[kungfuwig]

I just have to say....I love this league. Its also getting better as the years are passing.

[papps]

Undefeated week and the Fightin Phils drop from 2 to 6 in the rankings.  It will be interesting to see how well the team performs without Konerko or Zobrist.  Time will tell if the right moves were made...

[Paul S.]

Craig, Ross, and Bonifacio went on the DL last week so the Cards are expecting a few rough weeks.

[Colby]

Craig, Ross, and Bonifacio went on the DL last week so the Cards are expecting a few rough weeks.

Only 3 GB, the Reds are in good shape now.

[Dan Wood]

Cards still have 4 guys producing over 20 ppg...I'll rest easier when Infante, Willingham, Moreland, and Dirks slow it down a bit

[OUDAN]

Hmmm I add Carlos lee and Justin Morneau and can now field a lineup and I drop....I like the motivation though thanks boys lol. Here I come Boston

[VolsRaysBucs]

Fans in Tampa are rioting after their team was inexplicably left off of the "top 5 farm systems" report released by the Howe Scouting Agency.  Regardless of the Agency's slight, fans in Tampa will be treated to the likes of the following players in the next 2-5 years.  *NOTE: 100% tongue in cheek here fellas*
C Ryan Lavarnway
C Oscar Hernandez
CI Josh Vitters
CI Garrin Cecchini
CI Tyler Goeddel
MI Hak-Ju Lee
MI Jean Segura
MI Christian Colon
OF Starling Marte
OF Brandon Guyer
SP Jarrod Parker
SP Jacob Turner
SP Garrit Cole

[Colby]

SP Jarrod Parker
SP Jacob Turner
SP Garrit Cole

The last three are the key.

[Dan Wood]

Starling Marte, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Level: AAA
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 6th
Current Value: Overrated

The Pittsburgh Pirates have received brutal production from the outfield in 2012, save for center-fielder Andrew McCutchen. After what seemed like a breakout 2011 season, many fans were eagerly anticipating the arrival of outfield prospect Marte to help take some of the offensive load off of the current starting outfield trio. Unfortunately, the wait may be longer than anticipated for many. Marte, 23, is struggling to put the finishing touches on his minor league career while playing at the triple-A level. He’s hitting just .246 and has taken nine walks on the year – which is actually an improvement over 2011 for the notoriously impatient hitter. Swift of foot, Marte hasn’t made the best decisions on the base paths and has been caught trying to steal during five of his 14 attempts. On the plus side he’s showing some gap power. Although the big league club could really use him now, Marte is probably still about a year away from helping the big league club on a regular basis but I’m still not sold on him being anything more than an average big league regular.

Vitters is no longer considered a top prospect...sorry Mike