MLB Hot Stove: Power Ranking The Best and Worst Teams Of Offseason

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Christmas is just right around the corner and the biggest gift the Philadelphia Phillies front office gave to their loyal fans was this year's biggest off-season steal, the signing of ace pitcher Cliff Lee.

In the beginning of December, the Winter Meetings took place in Orlando, FL, with four of the five biggest names on the market were snatched up (not one by GM Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees) but the Phillies, Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals making the biggest splash in this year's free agent pool.

How do they rank among the others in the MLB? 

Oh, Where Oh Where Could Brian Cashman Be?

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Worst:

New York Yankees

Who they got? Re-signed SS Derek Jeter, RP Mariano Riveria and Signed FA C Russell Martin

Who they have lost? P Javier Vazquez, RP Kerry Wood

Who their rivals got? Red Sox - OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Phillies - SP Cliff Lee

The way they handled the signing of long-time captain and beloved Yankee Derek Jeter and the amount of talent their rivals acquired puts the Yankees at the bottom of the list. They could make a drastic move up if they can somehow get a top tier pitcher in a trade. 

They Tampa Bay Rays Have Lost More Than They Have Gained

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Tampa Bay Rays

Who they got? No one worth speaking of

Who they have lost? OF Carl Crawford, 1B/DH Carlos Pena, SS Jason Bartlett

Who their rivals got? Red Sox - OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez

This coming season for the Tampa Bay Rays isn't going to be a fun one. Players are starting to realize that playing in Tampa Bay isn't that much fun, thanks to the all their "loyal" fans. Who will fill in for the lost power, speed and saves for Manager Joe Madden? 

What Have The New York Mets Done Right This Off-Season? Nothing!

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New York Mets

Who they got? No one

Who they have lost? SP/RP Hisanori Takahashi 

Who their rivals got? Phillies - SP Cliff Lee, Nationals - OF Jayson Werth, Braves - 2B Dan Uggla

The only thing they have done this off-season was hire Skipper, Terry Collins (picture) and their GM Sandy Alderson, who obviously forgot what the off-season is all about when your biggest rivals are the Phillies and the New York Yankees. 

Los Angeles Angels Owner Arte Moreno Is Being a Little Too Stingy

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Los Angeles Angels

Who they got? RP Scott Downs

Who they have lost? OF/DH Hideki Matsui

Who their rivals got? Red Sox - OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez 

They didn't go after Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, but signed RP Scott Downs. OF/DH Hideki Matsui has left for the Oakland A's and last we heard, the rumor was that Owner Arte Moreno might sign slugger and defensive specialist Adrian Beltre. If they don't sign Beltre, it will be another 80-82 season for the Angels. 

Owner Nolan Ryan Lost His Ace Cliff Lee, Can They Bounce Back?

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Texas Rangers

Who they got? No one

Who they have lost? SP Cliff Lee

Who their rivals got? Red Sox - OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonazlez

They need to re-sign DH/OF Vladimir Guerrero and RP Frank Francisco 

Newly Signed FA Carlos Pena Adds Much Needed Power To The Cubs Lineup

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Best:

Chicago Cubs

Who they got? 1B Carlos Pena, RP Kerry Wood

Who they have lost? OF Xavier Nady

Who their rivals got? Brewers - SP Zach Grienke

San Diego Padres Made a Big Move by Getting Their Middle Infield

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San Diego Padres

Who they got? SS Jason Bartlett, 2B Orlando Hudson, SP Aaron Harang

Who they have lost? *1B - Adrian Gonzalez, SS Miguel Tejada

Who their rivals got? Dodgers - SP John Garland, 2B Juan Uribe, RP Matt Guerrier, Re-Signed - SP Hiroki Kuroda

With the additions of Jason Bartlett and Orlando Hudson, the Padres now have the perfect middle infield set to make a run at the NL West. 

The Apprentice Don Mattingly Finally Gets His Chance To Manage The Dodgers

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Who they got? SP John Garland, 2B Juan Uribe, RP Matt Guerrier, Re-Signed - SP Hiroki Kuroda

Who they have lost? Manager Joe Torre 

Who their rivals got? Padres - SS Jason Barlett, 2B Orlando Hudson

With the addition of John Garland, the Dodgers pitching staff is among the best in the MLB. How will Don Mattingly succeed legendary skipper Joe Torre is the real question?

Washington Nationals Replace One Slugger For Another

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Washington Nationals

Who they got? OF Jayson Werth

Who they have lost? 1B Adam Dunn

Who their rivals got? Marlins - C John Buck and SP Javier Vazquez 

They lost one slugger and added another. When Bryce Harper is ready for the pros and a healthy Stephen Strausburgh, the Nationals have a legit young team. 

The Brew Crew Make a Monster Trade For Cy Young SP Zach Grienke

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Milwaukee Brewers

Who they got? SP Zach Grienke, SP Shaun Marcum

Who they have lost? None

Who their rivals got? Cubs - 1B Carlos Pena and RP Kerry Wood

With the 1-2 punch of Grienke and Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers could go from 77-85 too 85-77, if not better. They have the pitching to help suppose their solid lineup. 

The South Side Of Chicago Just Got a Little Beafier in Their Lineup

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Chicago White Sox

Who they got? 1B Adam Dunn, RP Jesse Crain, Re-Signed DH/1B Paul Konerko 

Who they have lost? RP JJ Putz

Who their rivals got? C Victor Martinez, RP Joaquin Benoit, Re-signed - OF Magglio Ordonez and SS Johnny Peltra

This lineup is among the best in the MLB thanks to the signing of Victor Martinez and Adamn Dunn. 

Detroit Tigers Add Some Protection To Help Out Miguel Cabrera

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Detroit Tigers

Who they got? C Victor Martinez, RP Joaquin Benoit, Re-signed - OF Magglio Ordonez and SS Johnny Peltra

Who they have lost? OF Johnny Damon (has yet to be re-signed)

Who their rivals got? White Sox - 1B Adam Dunn, RP Jesse Crain, Re-Signed DH/1B Paul Konerko 

With The Biggest Steal Of The Off-Season, Phillies Got Stud SP Cliff Lee

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Philadelphia Phillies

Who they got? SP Cliff Lee

Who they have lost? OF Jayson Werth

Who their rivals got? Braves - 2B Dan Uggla

The Phillies stole Lee right under the Yankees organization. The Yankees offered Lee $140 million, which he turned down for less money ($120 million) to play in Philly. 

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein Is Doing All The Right Things in Bean Town

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And the best off-seaon (so far) goes to the...

Boston Red Sox

Who they got? OF Carl Crawford, 1B Adrian Gonzalez 

Who they have lost? 3B Adrian Beltre, C Victor Martinez 

Who their rivals got? None

Now that the Red Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez, this means Kevin Youkills can move back to thirdbase full time. Look for the Sox to regain the AL East title this year.