MLB Power Rankings 2012: Breaking Down Teams into Contender and Pretender Tiers

The MLB regular season lasts forever. Okay, so actually it only lasts for 162 games, but that's still a really, really long season.

Naturally, over the course of such a long season, contenders become pretenders, teams that struggle early become unbeatable late and a number of teams share time atop the rankings.

Take a look back at MLB power rankings throughout any given season, and you'll see they change form more often than Mystique. That's why, on this particular power rankings, we'll do things a little bit differently.

I've split my power rankings into six distinct categories: Championship Contenders, Championship Pretenders, Teams Primed for a Run, Teams Primed to Sink, Bad Teams With Promise and Bad, Terrible, Horrible Teams.

Let's get to the rankings.

Championship Contenders

These are the teams that, as currently constructed, are at the top of the rankings and are the most likely to win the World Series in my opinion.

1. Texas Rangers, 54-35

From the beginning of the season until now, I've maintained that the Rangers were my favorite to win the World Series this season. They've done nothing to dissuade me.

Josh Hamilton is having an insane year, the team is basically devoid of weaknesses throughout the lineup and the pitching has been good enough to keep them winning.

After two straight trips to the World Series, the Rangers are actually going to win one this year. Mark my words.

2. New York Yankees, 54-34

As long as they hit the cover off the ball, they'll contend. They're still hitting the cover off the ball.

3. Washington Nationals, 51-35

As long as they pitch well, they'll contend. They're still pitching well.

4. Los Angeles Angels, 49-40

After a slow star, the Angels' play is finally matching the lofty expectations its payroll set. Plus, that Mike Trout kid is pretty good.

5. Cincinnati Reds, 50-38

They're taking advantage of the power void in the NL Central left by the departures of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. This is a good, young team to be reckoned with.

Championship Pretenders

These teams should all remain in the postseason hunt for the duration of the season, but none are good enough to compete for the World Series this year in my opinion.

6. Atlanta Braves, 49-39

Yes, they've won seven straight. No, this team can't be considered a World Series contender at this point.

7. Pittsburgh Pirates, 49-39

This could be the year that the Pirates finally end a long, painful postseason drought.

Andrew McCutchen has been one of baseball's best players, the pitching has been fantastic, and there have even been rumors that this team could make a big splash by pursuing Justin Upton in a trade.

These aren't the Pirates you're used to. They're bona fide.

8. San Francisco Giants, 49-40

Welcome back, Tim Lincecum.

9. Chicago White Sox, 49-39

How will Kevin Youkilis respond in his Fenway return?

10. Los Angeles Dodgers, 48-42

This isn't the season for the young Dodgers to contend, but the future is bright.

Teams Primed for a Run

These teams may not be atop the rankings now, but they have the talent to make a late-season run to the postseason.

11. Detroit Tigers, 46-43

It's time for the Tigers to make a move. After adding Prince Fielder in the offseason, they were one of the sexy picks to win the World Series this year.

Thus far, they've only proven to be an average team with obvious holes in the roster. Yes, they have elite players in Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. Now, the rest of the team needs to show up. They had a big second half last year. I expect this team will find its groove this season as well.

12. St. Louis Cardinals, 46-43

With the return of Lance Berkman, the Cardinals could be poised to make a run. This team always seems to find itself in the thick of things.

13. Tampa Bay Rays, 46-43

The Rays have too much talent to not compete for a Wild Card spot this season. Expect them to take things down to the wire once again.

14. Boston Red Sox, 45-44

Welcome back, Carl Crawford.

15. Baltimore Orioles, 46-42

They were one of the first half's best stories, but the Orioles have come back down to earth. Still, this team has a lot of talent. Don't be surprised if they stick around the Wild Card rankings for most of the year.

Teams Primed to Sink

Here you'll find teams that looked at points like they might compete for a postseason berth this season but are bound to be left out of October play. Expect them to disappoint the rest of the way.

16. Cleveland Indians, 45-43

Are the Indians a young team that will hover around .500 for much of the season, or are they an up-and-coming team that will make a late-season run? (I'm asking you, I honestly can't tell with this team).

17. Toronto Blue Jays, 45-44

We know the Blue Jays will hit. Unfortunately, the pitching will let them down in the end.

18. Oakland Athletics, 46-43

Yes, the Athletics are 46-43. That isn't a typo.

While the team doesn't hit a whole lot outside of Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes, they've gotten excellent starting pitching from Tommy Milone, Bartolo Colon and Jarrod Parker. That, along with a steady bullpen, has led the team to the fourth-best ERA in baseball.

It's not a recipe for a postseason berth, but the Athletics are an improving club. Don't underestimate this Oakland squad moving forward.

19. Milwaukee Brewers, 42-46

If Zack Greinke gets moved, the Brewers will have officially thrown in the towel. They don't have much time left to prove they can contend.

20. New York Mets, 46-43

Are the Mets the team that started this season off with a surprising run of strong play or the team that has gone 3-7 over its last 10 games? I would side with the latter.

Bad Teams with Promise

No, these teams aren't very good. But they're either not as bad as they've played, or they've shown serious promise this season. Things will get better for these squads before they get worse.

21. Arizona Diamondbacks, 42-46

If they deal Justin Upton, they're throwing in the towel for this season. They're only 6.5 games out of first place in the NL West. Why give up the hunt already?

22. Miami Marlins, 42-46

Ozzie Guillen may be reliable for a great sound bite or incident once a week, but he can't seem to get this Marlins team to play up to its potential. But the potential is there.

23. Philadelphia Phillies, 39-51

It can't really be this bad for the Phillies, right? They can't really finish the season in last place in the NL East, right?

I doubt it. Finally having Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the roster and getting back ace Roy Halladay should spark a stronger second half from the team that won 102 games last season.

Will they make the postseason? Probably not. Will they make like difficult for the other contenders in the National League?

Absolutely.

24. Kansas City Royals, 38-49

One of these years, the young Royals are going to have a breakout season. One of these years... 

25. Chicago Cubs, 36-52

Led by Starlin Castro, the Cubs have a ton of young players and prospects worth getting excited about. They probably won't even be a playoff team next season, but this team is moving in the right direction.

Bad, Terrible, Horrible Teams

These teams are wretched. End of story.

26. Seattle Mariners, 37-53

This team should do Felix Hernandez a favor and deal the ace to a contender already. Or, they should build a strong team around him. Until then, one of the game's best pitcher remains under-appreciated while hidden on a mediocre Mariners team.

27. Minnesota Twins, 36-52

No, Joe Mauer is never going to replicate his epic 2009 season again. But it's good nonetheless to see Mauer swinging the bat well this year. If only the rest of the Twins were doing the same.

28. San Diego Padres, 36-54

Starting pitcher Jason Marquis currently leads the Padres in batting average (.308). If you have a more fitting metaphor for the punchless San Diego offense, I'd love to hear it.

29. Colorado Rockies, 34-54

It's really a shame that this team has been so poor this season, wasting an amazing season by outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The All-Star would be an MVP candidate if the Rockies weren't so far out of contention, currently hitting .332 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI.

Of course, even without Troy Tulowitzki currently in the lineup, hitting isn't an issue for this Rockies team. They score runs. What they can't seem to do is prevent teams from scoring more, with an MLB-worst team ERA of 5.50.

Ouch.

30. Houston Astros, 33-56

Name me one player you would pay to watch on the Astros. Take your time, I'll wait.

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