MLB Power Rankings: Who Makes New Top 10 After Wave of Offseason Moves?
In what can only be described as MLB's version of Black Friday, Tuesday was a day full of activity across the sport.
From trades to free-agent signings, the day was full from beginning to end.
On Monday, B/R's MLB featured columnist Joel Reuter published a a fresh power rankings after the first month of the offseason. After Tuesday, those rankings have been muddied, as multiple teams have jumped into the top 10 with their latest moves.
So, who's in the top 10 now? Read on to find out.
Just Missed the Top 10
1 of 11
These teams just missed out on the top 10:
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates were one of the best stories in 2013, but with the possibility of losing A.J. Burnett and already having lost Marlon Byrd, the Pirates need to make some moves. St. Louis and Cincinnati are reloading again for next year, but the same can't be said for Pittsburgh. There is still a lot of talent on the mound, but what about the offense?
Tampa Bay Rays
With the way the Rays' farm system is, it's reasonable to think they'll be in the playoff hunt for many years to come. There still needs to be a little bit more offense for this team to move into the top 10, though.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants did a lot in signing Tim Hudson away from the Braves and also by re-signing Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong. However, there are still a few question marks concerning the latter two and in regards to the top of the order.
10. Washington Nationals
2 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
None
Team Overview
The Washington Nationals showed just what they were capable of doing with a late-season run last year, only to come up short.
They still have Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez at the top of the rotation, and, if Jordan Zimmermann can follow up his 19-9 campaign from 2013, the Nationals' rotation would become one of the best in the NL.
Offensively, Bryce Harper is still the heart and soul of the team. If guys like Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche can follow suit, the Nationals are going to be hard to beat in the NL East.
9. Cincinnati Reds
3 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
IF/OF Skip Schumaker (FA, two years, $5 million)
C Brayan Pena (FA, two years, $2.275 million)
RP Manny Parra (re-signed, two years, $5.5 million)
Team Overview
Shin-Soo Choo likely won't re-sign with the Cincinnati Reds, but that's fine; the Reds still have Billy Hamilton, who will slot in nicely at the top of the lineup. That is not to say that he'll break Ricky Henderson's single-season stolen base record (130), but 100 isn't out of the question—is it?
Schumaker may be one of the more underrated free-agent signings this offseason, as he will provide the Reds with a lot of flexibility next season. He can play both the infield and the outfield, which will be key should an injury happen or if the Reds need a defensive replacement late in the game.
The Reds have good pitching but continue to struggle with it during the playoffs. With Bronson Arroyo gone and with Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey becoming free agents after the upcoming season, the time to win is now in Cincinnati.
.png?w=256)
8. Boston Red Sox
4 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
RP Burke Badenhop (trade, MIL)
C A.J. Pierzynski (FA, one year, $8.25 million)
Team Overview
The Boston Red Sox have done a good job of replacing Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate with A.J. Pierzynski, but the news of Jacoby Ellsbury's signing with the Yankees, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, stings a bit.
While most didn't predict Ellsbury to re-sign with the Red Sox, the news of him going to the team's hated rivals hurts. This now means that the leadoff job is officially Jackie Bradley Jr.'s. The only question is: what if he struggles like he did last year?
The Red Sox still have a lot of good pieces on the roster, but they still need some power in the middle of the order. David Ortiz can only give you so much.
7. Atlanta Braves
5 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
None
Team Overview
The Atlanta Braves have watched Brian McCann and Tim Hudson depart via free agency this offseason, but the train is going to keep rolling in Atlanta.
Evan Gattis will get more at-bats behind the dish until Christian Bethancourt is ready, while the Braves have a lot of talented young pitching that can take over Hudson's role. While there is no true ace on the staff, the Braves still have a lot of talent in the arms of Mike Minor, Julio Teheran and Kris Medlen.
The biggest question concerning the Braves is: who will take on the leadership role of the team? With Hudson and McCann gone, so are their leadership qualities. Someone like Jason Heyward or Freddie Freeman is going to have to step up if this team is going to advance far in 2014.
6. Oakland Athletics
6 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
SS Nick Punto (FA, one year, $3 million)
RP Fernando Abad (trade, WSH)
RP Luke Gregerson (trade, SD)
OF Craig Gentry (trade, TEX)
SP Scott Kazmir (FA, two years, $22 million)
RP Jim Johnson (trade, BAL)
Team Overview
For a low-budget team, the Oakland Athletics sure have been active this offseason.
They've made a lot of improvements to the team, especially at closer, where they lost Grant Balfour but gained Jim Johnson. Johnson has 101 saves over the last two seasons and has helped spark the resurgence of the Orioles.
While it can't spend a lot of money in the offseason, Oakland is showing that the right moves can make all the difference in the world.
Just by looking at the pitching help they've received, it's safe to say that Oakland is in a better place today than they were when the 2013 season finished.
5. New York Yankees
7 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
C Brian McCann (FA, five years, $85 million)
SS Brendan Ryan (FA, two years, $5 million)
CF Jacoby Ellsbury (FA, seven years, $153 million)
Team Overview
The New York Yankees took a huge leap in the power rankings by adding Jacoby Ellsbury on Tuesday. Now, with Ellsbury at the top of the lineup and McCann handling the catching duties, the Yankees seem to only need to re-sign Robinson Cano and sign a starting pitcher.
But you may ask how the Yankees can jump from No. 20 in Reuter's rankings to No. 5 in these rankings. It's simple—if they're healthy, they're a good team.
Consider the Yankees will also get Mark Teixeira back in the lineup next season, while Brett Gardner will be back as well. The Yankees have a good 1-2 punch at the top that will set the table for the likes of Teixeira, McCann and Alfonso Soriano.
There is still a long way to go this offseason, however.
4. Texas Rangers
8 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
1B Prince Fielder (trade, DET)
C Geovany Soto (re-signed, one year, $3.05 million)
RP Scott Tolleson (waivers, LAD)
CF Rafael Ortega (waivers, COL)
OF Michael Choice (trade, OAK)
Team Overview
The Texas Rangers have been hard at work this offseason to try and get back to the World Series in 2014.
Prince Fielder now finds himself in a more hitter-friendly park, while Ian Kinsler is gone to open up a spot for Jurickson Profar.
The Rangers have an ace in Yu Darvish and great No. 2 pitcher in Matt Harrison.
While catcher and left field are still two issues the Rangers need to address, there's still time to get themselves set for the 2014 season.
3. Detroit Tigers
9 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
2B Ian Kinsler (trade, TEX)
Team Overview
The Detroit Tigers have made a lot of interesting moves this offseason, including trading away Prince Fielder and Doug Fister.
Adding Kinsler to the lineup is good in that it gives the Tigers a legitimate leadoff hitter and allows Austin Jackson to slide down in the order. But what else have the offseason moves done for the Tigers?
While the moves will save the Tigers a lot of money, they didn't necessarily make the team better. ESPN reports that the Tigers are close to a deal with free-agent closer Joe Nathan as well.
It's understandable that the Tigers would want to shore up the bullpen after their struggles in the early part of last season. But with the moves they've made thus far, they've regressed just a little. However, it's not enough to drop them in the rankings.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
10 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
SP Dan Haren (FA, one year, $10 million)
Team Overview
The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't had to do much to improve their ball club, which is already one of the best in baseball.
The Dodgers already have two of the best pitchers in the game in Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Add in the fact that they have a healthy Hanley Ramirez returning, as well as Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig, and there's a lot to like when it comes to 2014.
Adding Haren to the mix only makes the Dodgers' rotation that much stronger, although the same was said last year when the Nationals signed Haren. Regardless, the Dodgers will be fine, even if Haren underperforms, because they're dominant at the top of the rotation.
The key for them now is to trade one of their outfielders and flip them for possibly a third baseman.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
11 of 11
Offseason Acquisitions
SS Jhonny Peralta (FA, four years, $53 million)
CF Peter Bourjos (trade, LAA)
Team Overview
Despite getting a serious run for their money thus far, the St. Louis Cardinals remain at the top of the power rankings.
With the acquisitions of Peralta and Bourjos, the Cardinals were able to fill holes they needed to on offense, along with giving young players like Kolten Wong and Matt Adams a chance to be in the lineup every day.
Of course, you can't forget the fact that the Cardinals have perhaps the best rotation in baseball with Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and Jamie Garcia. In fact, the Cardinals could flip one of those pitchers at some point to add a little more organizational depth.
Thus far, St. Louis still has to be the favorites to win the World Series, especially considering all of the losses the Red Sox have had.
.png?w=480)
