MLB Power Rankings: Where Does Each Team Land as Offseason Revs Up?
Before we get into the hustle and bustle that is the MLB offseason, let's take a look at the landscape of Major League Baseball before the dominoes begin to fall.
Offseason power rankings are more about where each team has been, rather than where it may be headed. As you would expect, the playoff teams will comprise the top of the list. The other 20 organizations are ranked by the likelihood that they'll make it back to October.
The capsules that follow will detail each team's season in a brief overview, before speculating on potential free-agent acquisitions that could unfold in the coming months.
Teams like the Giants, Nationals and Cardinals may need only minor tweaks, while others like the Braves, Phillies and Rays could see complete overhauls. Then there's the optimistic group of organizations such as the Cubs and Mariners that may take the plunge in terms of high-profile targets in hopes of contending in 2015.
Regardless of your favorite team's standing, hopefully the following nuggets will provide you with a better idea of what to expect from your club over the winter.
Without further ado, here are your MLB offseason power rankings.
30. Colorado Rockies
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Season Overview
The Rockies weren't talented enough to cope with the losses of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, as both missed extended periods of time in 2014 due to injury. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com believes that the club will consider dealing both superstars this offseason.
On the field, the Rockies finished fourth in the NL West with just 66 wins in the process. The offense mashed as usual, leading the NL in runs, home runs and average.
On the flip side, the pitching staff ranked last in ERA and allowed the highest average in the National League.
Coors Field giveth and taketh away.
Offensive MVP
Justin Morneau enjoyed the high altitude in Denver, winning the NL batting title with a .319 average.
Pitching MVP
It's slim pickings trying to find a valuable arm on the Rockies roster, but Jorge de la Rosa started 32 games and was victorious in 14 of them.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post has reported that the team will likely be in the mix for a "second-tier" free-agent pitcher. He mentions Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano and Jason Hammel as possibilities.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
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Season Overview
The Diamondbacks finished with the worst record in baseball, en route to the cellar of the NL West and 30 games back of the first-place Dodgers.
Injuries to organizational cornerstones Paul Goldschmidt and Patrick Corbin derailed the Snakes. The resulting season cost Kirk Gibson his managerial position, paving the way for Chip Hale to take over as skipper.
Although the offense was mediocre, it must have seemed quite impressive compared to an atrocious pitching staff that would have been the worst in the NL, if not for the Colorado Rockies.
Offensive MVP
Goldschmidt remains the best talent on the roster, but catcher Miguel Montero led the team in RBI and OBP in Goldschmidt's absence. Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com thinks that the Diamondbacks may be shopping the catcher in the offseason.
Pitching MVP
Josh Collmenter was the lone bright spot on the Arizona staff, winning 11 games and leading the club with a 3.46 ERA.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Pitching is the most pressing need for this team, but a high-profile ace is unlikely to join the Diamondbacks. Similar to the Rockies, Arizona will choose from the group of secondary arms.
28. Minnesota Twins
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Season Overview
While the Twins suffered through a dismal 2014, the future appears to be bright for the club. However, it will be Twins legend Paul Molitor leading the charge next season instead of longtime manager Ron Gardenhire.
John Sickels of Minor League Ball, a SB Nation affiliate, ranked 14 prospects in the Twins organization as B prospects or above. Potential stars like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano and Jose Berrios headline that list and are on the fast track to the majors.
At the major league level, the Twins still have some useful pieces.
Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe aided an offense that actually ranked fifth in runs scored in the AL. Meanwhile, Phil Hughes proved to be worthy of his $24 million deal, producing a quality campaign for the club.
Another losing season seems inevitable in 2015, but Twins fans should feel optimistic about the direction of the organization.
Offensive MVP
Second baseman Brian Dozier smacked 23 homers and stole 21 bases, while posting a 4.6 WAR in an All-Star season.
Pitching MVP
As mentioned above, Hughes was fantastic for the Twins this season. He won 16 games with a 3.52 ERA (2.65 FIP) and over seven strikeouts per nine innings.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Ted Schwerzler of Puckett's Pond believes that Minnesota could be a player for Matt Kemp's services via trade.
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27. Texas Rangers
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Season Overview
The Texas Rangers finished 67-95 and at the bottom of the AL West. One of the more successful teams in the American League in recent years crashed back to reality in 2014.
Free-agent signings Shin-Soo Choo and Prince Fielder were added in the offseason in hopes of finally breaking through that glass ceiling to appear in the World Series. Instead Choo greatly underachieved and Fielder missed most of the season due to injury.
Injuries were a sore subject for Rangers fans this season. As B/R's own Joel Reuter mentioned in a recent article, Texas actually set a record for most players used this past season.
Continuing the theme of a tumultuous season, Ron Washington resigned as manager for personal reasons. Native Texan Jeff Banister will take over the squad in 2015.
Out of all the teams mentioned thus far, the Rangers are most likely to contend next season. But addressing a pitching staff with a 4.49 ERA will be crucial if Texas is to right the ship.
Offensive MVP
Adrian Beltre's fantastic career just keeps on trucking into his late 30s. The third baseman raked in 2014 with a .324 average, 19 homers and 77 RBI.
Pitching MVP
Bona fide aces are few and far between, but the Rangers are blessed to have one in the dominant Yu Darvish. The right-hander battled though an injury-riddled season to post a 3.06 ERA and over 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
A short-term solution like Jason Hammel of Brandon McCarthy would help solidify an unreliable pitching unit.
26. Chicago White Sox
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Season Overview
The White Sox won only 73 games in 2014, but the emergence of Jose Abreu has folks on the South Side excited for what lies ahead.
The AL Rookie of the Year led Chicago in nearly every offensive category and ranked at the top in regards to the rest of the American League:
Chris Sale was equally as dominant on the hill, posting a 2.17 ERA and striking out over 10 per nine innings. If not for an early-season injury, Sale may have been honored with the AL Cy Young Award.
Robin Ventura has the White Sox on the right track. The club may be a year or two away from legit contention, but there's no reason Chicago can't play meaningful baseball in 2015.
Offensive MVP
See Abreu's stats above. This is a no-brainer.
Pitching MVP
Sale struck out a career-high percentage, while allowing the fewest home runs per nine innings of his career.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Jim Margalus of South Side Sox believes that the White Sox may be players for high-profile players this winter.
25. Philadelphia Phillies
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Season Overview
Every offseason, there are rumors of the Phillies finally committing to a rebuild by trading their older roster for future assets.
Yet Ruben Amaro Jr. continues to annoy his fanbase with perplexing short-term additions of aging stars like Marlon Byrd and A.J. Burnett.
Steady club stalwarts Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are still capable players who could easily be flipped for prospects. The same can be said for pitchers Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.
It's time for Philadelphia to move on. After all, Philly went 73-89 and finished last in the NL East in 2014.
Offensive MVP
Ben Revere did a phenomenal job setting the table for the Phillies this season. The speedster led the NL with 184 hits, posting a .302 batting average to go along with 49 steals.
Pitching MVP
He may eventually be moved elsewhere, but Hamels remained one of the best pitchers in the game. A 2.46 ERA and eight strikeouts per nine innings only increased his trade value.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
To quote Dave Cameron from FanGraphs, "It's an everything-must-go sale in Philadelphia, so you probably won't have too many veterans interested in going there." But Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas has been linked to the club, according to CSNPhilly.com.
24. Tampa Bay Rays
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Season Overview
The Rays' second-half march to the postseason ran out of steam in 2014, as the club finished fourth in a competitive AL East.
Worse news came at the beginning of the offseason. Joe Maddon's tenure with his longtime club has run its course, paving the way for a move to manage the Chicago Cubs.
Whomever is hired to replace Maddon will inherit a solid starting staff. Alex Cobb, Chris Archer and Drew Smyly will provide the Rays with a chance to win every night.
But Evan Longoria, Wil Myers and Co. need to support that staff in the runs department, something they failed to do last season. The Rays were last in the AL in runs.
A tough division combined with the loss of Maddon bodes forbiddingly for Tampa in 2015.
Offensive MVP
The most important offensive player for the Rays this season was Ben Zobrist, slashing .272/.354/.395.
Pitching MVP
After the departure of David Price, Cobb filled in nicely as the ace of the staff. Cobb led the Rays with a 2.87 ERA and 17 quality starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
The Rays are rarely big players in free agency, but Robbie Knopf of Rays Colored Glasses thinks the club could try to put together a trade for Evan Gattis.
23. Houston Astros
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Season Overview
With top prospects on the way, the Astros showed signs of improvement at the major league level.
Jose Altuve won a batting title with an outstanding season, Chris Carter put together ultra-impressive power numbers and Dallas Keuchel posted a 2.93 ERA in over 200 innings.
Yet the Houston front office still decided to change the direction of the club, by replacing Bo Porter with A.J. Hinch. The former Arizona manager will get another crack at leading a ballclub in 2015.
The Astros are closer than most think to becoming a competitive ballclub. Top prospects Carlos Correa, Colin Moran and Mark Appel are nearly ready to join an evolving roster in Houston.
Offensive MVP
Carter's monster year had to be satisfying for the Astros brass, but Altuve stole the show in 2014. To go along with an AL batting title, Altuve led the league in stolen bases and set a Houston franchise record for hits in a single season.
Pitching MVP
The Astros struggled on the hill again in 2014, but they seem to have found a potential ace in Keuchel. He led the team in wins and ERA, while posting a WAR of nearly four.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Houston has money to spend, and may try to woo Hanley Ramirez as a stopgap until Correa is ready. David Coleman of Crawfish Boxes believes the two sides could create a beneficial marriage.
22. San Diego Padres
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Season Overview
The Padres were a pleasant surprise in 2014, finishing third in the NL West. Despite a losing record, the club made lengthy strides toward a potential playoff push over the next few seasons.
There's a lot of fantastic pitching staffs in MLB, but would anybody have believed that the Padres finished among the league's best? San Diego recorded the fourth-lowest ERA in baseball, while holding opponents to a .241 average.
Tyson Ross enjoyed a breakout campaign for that staff, while Ian Kennedy and Andrew Cashner provided stable production for the rest of the rotation.
Despite improved pitching, San Diego suffered immensely from the worst offense in baseball. A lineup last in runs, average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage wasted plenty of efforts from its impressive collection of starting pitching.
Still, it seems the Padres have discovered a blueprint for success. If they can add some offensive punch this offseason, the club will compete sooner than expected.
Offensive MVP
The only San Diego hitter worth mentioning is Seth Smith. The lefty accounted for an .807 OPS in 2014.
Pitching MVP
Ross burst onto the scene with 2.81 ERA in nearly 200 innings. He struck out nearly nine per nine innings, while forcing batters to hit the ball on the ground at a career-high rate of 57 percent.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Billy Brost at Friars on Base makes a case for Billy Butler joining the Padres.
21. Boston Red Sox
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Season Overview
After winning it all two seasons ago, the Red Sox fell to the bottom of the standings in the American League. Boston became a seller at the deadline, finishing the season with only 71 wins.
General manager Ben Cherington used Jon Lester, Jake Peavy and John Lackey as trade bait, acquiring Yoenis Cespedes, Allen Craig and other minor league prospects. He also splurged on highly touted Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, who figures to fight for a spot on the big league roster in spring training.
On the field, youngsters like Brock Holt, Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts made impacts in Boston. That valuable experience earned from extended playing time should pay dividends in the years ahead.
Red Sox fans will be hoping to rebound and contend next season, as they did after a horrible 2012 to win the World Series a year later.
Offensive MVP
David Ortiz is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches 40, bashing 35 homers and 104 RBI in 2014.
Pitching MVP
Since the Red Sox traded most of their qualified starters, let's go with Burke Badenhop. The reliever appeared in 70 games, posting a 2.29 ERA and allowing only one home run in those appearances.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com mentioned that the Red Sox are "all in" on Pablo Sandoval. The rumor makes sense due to the club's inconsistent play at third base.
20. Cincinnati Reds
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Season Overview
Another team that criminally underachieved in 2014 was the Cincinnati Reds.
Key injuries to Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Ryan Ludwick had a lot to do with that. After finishing third in the NL in runs in 2013, the Reds scored 100 less runs in 2014 to finish 13th in the league.
The loss of Votto was particularly tough for Cincinnati. In 2013, the first baseman posted a .926 OPS while playing in all 162 games. However, this year was a different story, as he was able to suit up only 62 times with minimal impact.
The pitching staff allowed a respectable 3.59 ERA, mainly due to Johnny Cueto producing the best season of any NL pitcher outside of Clayton Kershaw. Closer Aroldis Chapman also fanned more hitters per nine innings than any reliever in baseball.
Despite a road bump in 2014, a healthy roster could see the Reds maneuver back into playoff contention. Upgrades in the outfield and in the bullpen would only strengthen the cause.
Offensive MVP
Todd Frazier was easily the most productive hitter for the Reds this season, hitting .273 with 29 home runs and 80 RBI.
Pitching MVP
Cueto's 2014 was one of the best pitching seasons in recent memory. The right-hander won 20 games with a 2.25 ERA, while logging nearly 250 innings.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs reasons that the Reds may target Nori Aoki to add a high on-base guy to a lineup that lacks many.
19. Chicago Cubs
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Season Overview
Of all the up-and-coming teams in the MLB, the Chicago Cubs might be the most exciting.
After bringing Theo Epstein on board, the Cubs were able to lure Joe Maddon from Tampa to the Windy City.
And when you look at the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Mike Olt, Starlin Castro, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and the impending arrival of top prospect Kris Bryant, it's easy to see why Maddon chose to make the trek north.
Chicago figures to be players in free agency as well, hoping to sprinkle in some veterans around its young core.
With a litany of top prospects, the Cubs are poised to bring October baseball back to its desperate fanbase over the next few years.
Offensive MVP
A poor 2013 is well in the rearview mirror for Rizzo after hitting .286 with 32 bombs and 78 RBI. He was responsible for 53 percent more runs than the league average, as evidenced by his 153 wRC+.
Pitching MVP
Jake Arrieta flirted with a no-hitter multiple times in 2014, before ending the season with a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
The Cubs have been linked with free-agent ace Jon Lester in free agency. ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers reported that the lefty met with the Cubs earlier this month.
18. Miami Marlins
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Season Overview
We will never know how the Marlins would have finished with a healthy Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez.
Yet despite those key injuries, the Fish still managed to hang around into the second half.
Stanton and Fernandez deserve their headlines, but other young talent has developed in Miami. Offensively, Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Adeiny Hechavarria finished 2014 with solid numbers. On the bump, Henderson Alvarez and Tom Koehler provided the Marlins with a big lift after the injury to Fernandez.
If this past season is any indication, Miami's young talent looks poised to take the leap. It could happen as soon as 2015.
Offensive MVP
Boy, Giancarlo Stanton silenced his doubters in 2014 with his prodigious power. The slugger missed most of September, but still led the NL in homers (37) and slugging percentage (.555). He also finished second in RBI (105), wRC+ (159) and OPS (.950).
And now he's going to get paid. Stanton is nearing a 13-year, $325 million extension, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Pitching MVP
Fernandez will be an ace for many years to come, but his teammate Alvarez proved his worth with a 12-win season and a 2.65 ERA.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald doesn't believe that the Marlins will pursue a top-tier free agent, but mentions Howie Kendrick as a potential upgrade through trade.
17. Toronto Blue Jays
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Season Overview
With some high-profile talent, the Blue Jays had the look of a playoff contender in the early parts of the season. The club eventually fell out of the AL East race, but not before bettering its 2013 win total by nine.
Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista put together positive campaigns with one important similarity: zero serious injuries. Reyes stole 30 bases and hit .287, while "Joey Bats" crushed the baseball to the tune of 35 home runs.
The staff was better as well, with R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle throwing over 200 innings and keeping their ERA under four. Drew Hutchison and Marcus Stroman provided the staff with a jolt of youthful production, as well.
Offensive MVP
Bautista drove in 103 runs and represented a 159 wRC+. He also reduced his strikeout rate to a career-low 14.3 percent.
Pitching MVP
Buehrle turned back the clock with his lowest ERA since 2005. Still inducing over 40 percent of contact on the ground, the southpaw posted his career-best mark in terms of home runs per nine innings.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Jordan Wevers of Rantsports.com believes Nick Markakis could be a possible replacement for Melky Cabrera.
16. New York Mets
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Season Overview
No team in the MLB is blessed with young pitching talent quite like the New York Mets, although Jacob deGrom may not have been the most likely to win an award at the beginning of the season.
But the rookie right-hander did just that, winning NL ROY after a dazzling inaugural campaign.
With deGrom, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and prospects Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero, the Mets have assembled a juggernaut of a future rotation.
On offense, Lucas Duda, Juan Lagares and Daniel Murphy improved on the offensive side of things to go along with David Wright's usual production.
Offensive MVP
Duda spanked 30 homers and drove in 92 runs, taking advantage of increased playing time to show off his impressive power.
Pitching MVP
The NL ROY deserves a lot of credit for leading the Mets to a second-place finish in the NL East. DeGrom provided 17 quality starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
New York made the first significant move of the offseason signing Michael Cuddyer, but don't expect it to shell out many more top-dollar contracts this offseason.
15. Atlanta Braves
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Season Overview
The Braves may have been the most disappointing team in MLB this season, failing to make the playoffs after winning the NL East in 2013.
Many of the same characters returned this season, but to much less flattering effect. Atlanta ranked fourth in the league in strikeouts and 29th overall in runs scored. With the talent on this team, those numbers are unacceptable.
As usual, the team's pitching was its calling card.
Atlanta finished fifth in ERA, behind solid seasons from Julio Teheran, Alex Wood and the unlikely Aaron Harang. Despite the losses of Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen to arm injuries in the spring, the Braves maintained its expected pitching performance.
The Braves are ranked above the Mets and Marlins because the club is still better suited to win in 2015, but if the new front office decides to shake things up that could change very easily.
Offensive MVP
The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton was on full display in Atlanta this season. Upton went yard 29 times and recorded over 100 RBI for the first time in his career.
Pitching MVP
Craig Kimbrel remains the best relief pitcher in baseball, but it was Teheran who was the most important arm in the Braves arsenal. His 2.89 ERA and 221 innings pitched were career highs.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
The Braves figure to be limited in the market due to the albatross contracts given to B.J. Upton and the departed Dan Uggla. They may choose to upgrade through trades, but Dave Cameron of FanGraphs wouldn't be surprised to see the Braves pursue Ryan Vogelsong.
14. Cleveland Indians
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Season Overview
Manager Terry Francona has enjoyed overwhelming success in his first two seasons in Cleveland. After leading the Tribe to a wild-card spot in 2013, the skipper guided the Indians to 85 wins in 2014.
Corey Kluber's dynamite season was worthy of the AL Cy Young. The right-hander edged out Felix Hernandez for the award, on the heels of a 2.44 ERA and over 10 K's per nine innings.
At the plate, the Indians were pretty mediocre. Michael Brantley stood out as a bright spot, tallying 200 hits and a .327 average. Carlos Santana chipped in with 27 homers, while Lonnie Chisenhall and Yan Gomes contributed with solid campaigns.
Although the Indians failed to return to the playoffs, the club should contend for a postseason spot next season with some minor improvements.
Offensive MVP
Brantley ranked near the top of most hitting categories in MLB, including WAR (third), wRC+ (seventh), hits (second) and average (third). Not bad for a defensive-minded outfielder.
Pitching MVP
Kluber has always recorded high strikeout numbers, but his AL Cy Young award had to have been unexpected for the Indians. Kluber's 7.3 WAR led all MLB pitchers, including Clayton Kershaw.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
It may end up coming from a trade, but Cleveland should be in the market for starting pitching to pair with Kluber and Trevor Bauer.
13. Milwaukee Brewers
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Season Overview
The Brewers appeared to be the class of the NL Central, before fizzling out to win only 82 games. If we're being honest, Milwaukee's finish was probably more indicative of the talent on the roster than its hot start.
Jonathan Lucroy continued to establish himself as one of the premier catchers in the MLB. He hit .301 with 13 homers and 69 RBI, while striking out just 10 percent of the time. Even more impressive, Lucroy played in 153 games at a physically demanding position.
Elsewhere, Scooter Gennett, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Gomez were key cogs in the Milwaukee lineup. But Ryan Bruan and Jean Segura suffered through subpar seasons for such talented players. For Braun, it was the worst season of his career from a statistical standpoint.
The pitching staff lacked top-of-the-rotation stuff, but Wily Peralta, Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza put together competent seasons for the Brew Crew. Zach Duke and Francisco Rodriguez provided stability in the bullpen with nice years, although both are free agents.
Offensive MVP
Lucroy led all catchers in WAR at 6.3, while finishing second in average, wRC+ and OPS to Buster Posey.
Pitching MVP
A deep staff makes it difficult to choose one MVP, but we'll give the nod to Peralta, who led the club in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and quality starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Ramirez accepted an option to return to the Brewers next season, while Adam Lind was acquired from the Blue Jays days after the season ended.
12. New York Yankees
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Season Overview
Derek Jeter's final season became the theme of the 2014 season, but it's time for the Yankees to move on without their captain.
As we've become accustomed to, the Yankees shelled out the cash in free agency a season ago. Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury fared well in their first seasons in the Bronx. There's no doubt both players will be key ingredients for New York's success in 2015 and beyond.
Masahiro Tanaka began the season on fire, but an arm injury ended his year prematurely. Hiroki Kuroda remained a constant for the staff, while the deadline addition of Brandon McCarthy paid dividends for a team in desperate need of starting pitching. Closer David Robertson saved 39 games in his first season replacing Mariano Rivera.
The Yankees seemed to have a nice team dynamic this season, but never fear headline writers: A-Rod returns in 2015.
Offensive MVP
McCann began his first stint in New York slowly, but ended the season with his customary numbers. He led the Yankees with 23 round-trippers and 75 RBI.
Pitching MVP
With other starters missing time with injuries, Kuroda posted a 3.71 ERA and 21 quality starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
The Yankees seem keen to re-sign Robertson, McCarthy and Chase Headley. But as Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports, Robertson is hoping to become the highest-paid reliever in history.
11. Seattle Mariners
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Season Overview
Seattle was active a year ago in free agency, most notably adding Robinson Cano on a $240 million deal.
Cano again hit over .300, providing the Mariners with a reliable stick in the middle of the lineup. Kyle Seager helped him with a breakout 2014, leading the club in home runs and RBI.
But dominant pitching was the key factor in Seattle's 89-win season.
Led by King Felix, the staff finished second in the MLB in ERA with a 3.17 mark. Opponents managed just a .230 average against Mariners pitching, which led the league. Chris Young, Roenis Elias and Hisashi Iwakuma recorded double-digit win totals to complement Hernandez's remarkable season.
Seattle is the highest-rated non-playoff team because its success seems the most obtainable. If anything, the offense should improve enough for the club to be as good as its AL West rivals.
Offensive MVP
Those worried about Cano's production slipping at the cavernous Safeco Field were mistaken, as the second baseman bettered his career marks in average and wRC+.
Pitching MVP
Felix may have lost out on the Cy Young to Corey Kluber, but the ace pitched his butt off in 2014. A 2.14 ERA and 6.2 WAR buoyed one of the best units in baseball.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Seattle is "aggressively pursuing" Hanley Ramirez in free agency. After enjoying playoff baseball in L.A., the shortstop would probably be intrigued by Seattle's promising roster.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
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Season Overview
The Pirates qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row, before falling at the hands of the eventual champion San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card Game.
The Buccos followed a similar plan in 2014 as they did a year ago, relying on a high on-base percentage and quality starting pitching to obtain victories.
Andrew McCutchen remained a top-five player in the sport, while Josh Harrison and Starling Marte provided sparks at the plate and on the bases. Neil Walker knocked 23 home runs and Russell Martin, along with McCutchen, finished as one of only four players with an OBP over .400.
On the mound, a 3.47 ERA from a deep staff gave the Pirates consistent chances to win ballgames. Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez will be free agents this winter, though.
Offensive MVP
McCutchen cemented his place as the top player in the NL with another fantastic season. He led the league in WAR, OBP, wOBA, wRC+ and OPS.
Pitching MVP
Volquez came away with victories in 13 games, allowing a 3.04 ERA in 31 starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports broke the news of the acquisition of catcher Francisco Cervelli, which seems to be a bad omen for Martin's return.
9. Oakland Athletics
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Season Overview
The A's had the look of baseball's best last season, pushing the generally frugal Bille Beane to flip Yoenis Cespedes and top prospect Addison Russell for Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija at the deadline.
Unfortunately for Oakland, a rare win-now approach failed down the stretch, as the A's were passed by the division-winning Angels. To make matters worse, the club blew a four-run lead in the AL Wild Card Game to bow out of the postseason prematurely.
The excellent staff finished third in the MLB in ERA, with standout seasons from Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir. At the plate, Josh Donaldson provided significant pop in the middle of the lineup.
Offensive MVP
Donaldson topped the club in nearly every offensive category, mashing 29 bombs and driving in 98 runs.
Pitching MVP
With the arrivals of Lester and Samardzija, Gray's season may have been lost in the shuffle. But his 3.08 ERA and 26 quality starts bode well for the young star's future.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
With Jed Lowrie likely leaving the Bay Area, Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera could be brought in on a short-term contract to play shortstop.
8. Los Angeles Angels
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Season Overview
The Angels lived up to the hype in 2014, winning the most games in MLB and claiming the AL West.
With one of the best offenses in baseball, L.A. scored more runs than any other team in the league. The incredible Mike Trout led the way for the Halos, but Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun chipped in with successful campaigns. A healthy Albert Pujols in the middle of the lineup did wonders for the production of the offense.
Pichingwise, Garrett Richards figures to be a future ace, but an injury ended his season early. Jared Weaver won 18 games, fanning over seven per nine.
Offensive MVP
B/R's Scott Miller believes that Trout's AL MVP season could be the first of many in his career. His 2014 season was actually a step back from his 2012-13 numbers, but club success and 167 wRC+ still made him a worthy selection.
Pitching MVP
Richards went 13-4 in 26 starts before his knee injury. The right-hander struck out almost nine per nine innings with a 2.61 ERA.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs is expecting the Angels to sign Jon Lester in hopes of bolstering their rotation.
7. Detroit Tigers
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Season Overview
The Tigers finished atop the AL Central once again, only to be eliminated by the Baltimore Orioles after another bullpen implosion in the ALDS.
The offense hummed along, scoring the second most runs in MLB. Miguel Cabrera strengthened his Hall of Fame resume with a .313 average, 25 home runs and 109 RBI, Victor Martinez put together arguably the best offensive season in baseball and J.D. Martinez blossomed into a budding star with a monster year.
The strength of the roster was supposed to be its starting pitching, but the Tigers staff accounted for a 4.01 ERA in 2014. Max Scherzer produced at an ace level, but figures to play elsewhere next season. Yet the staff should be in good hands next year with David Price, Rick Porcello, Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander all returning to the "Motor City."
The bullpen remained a black hole and it doomed Detroit in the playoffs. It figures to be addressed in the offseason, at least we hope.
Offensive MVP
In a contract year, "V-Mart" was a beast, hitting .335 with 32 homers and 103 RBI. His 166 wRC+ ranked third in MLB.
Pitching MVP
Scherzer continued to strike out hitters at an impressive rate, while allowing less than one home run per nine innings. The Tigers will miss the stability that the righty provided if he chooses to play for a new team in 2015.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Detriot has already re-signed Victor Martinez to a deal believed to be around $70 million, according to ESPN. David Robertson may be out of the club's price range, but Sergio Romo or Casey Janssen may be fits to help a floundering pen.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
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Season Overview
Clayton Kershaw capped off a historic season by winning the NL MVP and his third Cy Young in four years. The lefty won 21 out of 27 decisions with an unfathomable 1.77 ERA. Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu also provided the Dodgers with fantastic efforts on the bump.
Yasiel Puig continued to be both dynamic and frustrating for manager Don Mattingly, but the young outfielder was the best everyday player in the L.A. lineup. Dee Gordon had a nice year at the top of the lineup, while Adrian Gonzalez led the NL in RBI with 116.
L.A. may look quite different in 2015, as Hanley Ramirez is unlikely to return next season. Any of the outfield triumvirate of Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Either could also be traded, as reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Offensive MVP
After capturing the imagination of the MLB in 2013, Puig built on his debut with a 5.1 WAR and 147 wRC+.
Pitching MVP
The incredible Kershaw missed the first month of the season, but still topped most pitching categories in baseball. His 1.77 ERA was no fluke, as both his FIP and xFIP were career-low marks.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
James Shields and new GM Andrew Friedman have history from their days in Tampa, so the Dodgers may be players for the former Royal.
5. Washington Nationals
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Season Overview
The Nationals rebounded from a lackluster 2013 to run away with the NL East. The club won 96 contests, finishing 17 games above the second-place New York Mets.
A great balance of power pitching and timely hitting positioned the Nats to potentially make a run at the World Series, but Washington dropped a hard-fought series to the Giants in the NLDS.
The best pitching staff in baseball recorded a collective ERA of 3.03, led by Jordan Zimmerman and Doug Fister. Steven Strasburg struck out over 10 per nine innings and Tanner Roark posted a sub-3.00 ERA as the team's fifth starter.
Bryce Harper underwhelmed in an injury-filled season, but Anthony Rendon looks like the real deal. Denard Span was one of the best table-setters in MLB and Ian Desmond socked 24 homers to go with 91 RBI.
The Nats should win the NL East again in 2015, so don't be surprised if this squad ends up in the World Series.
Offensive MVP
Rendon showed what all the fuss was about with 21 homers, 83 RBI and 176 hits.
Pitching MVP
Yet again, Jordan Zimmerman proved to be the Washington ace with a 2.66 ERA in 32 starts.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
A team with few holes may look to take a chance on a high-risk/high-reward bullpen piece like Zach Duke or Luke Hochevar.
4. St. Louis Cardinals
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Season Overview
The 2014 Cardinals may not have been as talented as other recent editions of the team, but the St. Louis organization seems to find a way to get the job done. The Cards won 90 games, captured a NL Central title and advanced to the NLCS.
The offense struggled, as St. Louis finished last in homers in the NL and 10th in runs scored. No Cardinal broke 100 RBI or a .300 average. In the playoffs, Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams and Kolten Wong all caught fire to ignite the stagnant offense, but there may be some cause for concern.
Young phenom Michael Wacha missed time down the stretch, but Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller and the great Adam Wainwright picked up the slack in Wacha's absence. Free-agent setup man Pat Neshek was nearly un-hittable and Trevor Rosenthal saved 45 games for the bullpen.
Offensive MVP
Matt Carpenter's smooth swing did major damage in the playoffs and his 99 runs in the regular season was good enough for eighth in the MLB.
Pitching MVP
Wainwright tied a career high with 20 wins and bettered his career ERA with a 2.38 mark.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Electric relief ace Andrew Miller would be a fantastic addition to the bullpen.
3. Baltimore Orioles
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Season Overview
The O's mashed their way to an AL East championship with a MLB-high 211 home runs. That mark was 25 higher than that of the next-best team.
Four players hit more than 20 homers, headlined by Nelson Cruz and his 40 dingers. The outfielder signed a one-year contract after his PED scandal, but will likely desire a multiyear deal this time around. A healthy Manny Machado and Matt Wieters could help make up the difference if Cruz bolts.
Chris Tillman and Bud Norris were solid as far as the starting pitching goes, but playoff standout Kevin Gausman may be the best starter on the roster. Zach Britton was nasty closing games, but the bullpen will lose Andrew Miller to free agency.
Offensive MVP
Cruz led the majors in homers, but he also notched a respectable .271 average. The Orioles need him in the middle of the lineup, so expect the club to aggressively target the slugger.
Pitching MVP
Chris Tillman threw over 200 innings for the second year in a row, lowering his ERA by nearly half a run.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
The Orioles should focus on re-signing Cruz and Nick Markakis in the offseason before investigating cheap late-inning options to replace Miller.
2. Kansas City Royals
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Season Overview
What a ride the Kansas City Royals took baseball fans on this October.
After coming from behind to win an exhilarating AL Wild Card Game, the Royals swept both the Angels and the Orioles to get to the World Series. Unfortunately for Kansas City, the club fell in seven games to the Giants and Madison Bumgarner's historic performance.
Ned Yost incorporated a high-contact style of offense designed to move runners along. Alcides Escobar, Nori Aoki and Alex Gordon thrived in this system, while Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain produced in the middle of the lineup.
Kansas City will likely lose James Shields to the open market, but Yordano Ventura proved he has the stuff of a future ace. The three-headed monster in the bullpen will be back as well. Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera should continue to destroy hitters' confidence and averages in 2015.
Offensive MVP
Escobar may not be the expected choice, but the shortstop hit .285, stole 31 bases and led the Royals in hits from the leadoff spot.
Pitching MVP
This may be breaking the rules, but the bullpen trio will share the honors here. Wade Davis' career renaissance was in full swing with a 1.00 ERA, Kelvin Herrera chucked 100-mph fastballs past everybody and Greg Holland saved 46 games with a 1.44 ERA
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
Shields will leave a decent gap in the Royals rotation, so a reunion with Ervin Santana may provide Kansas City with the stopgap it needs to get back to the playoffs.
1. San Francisco Giants
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Season Overview
Since 2010, San Francisco has won three world championships. We throw the word dynasty around a lot in sports, but the Giants actually merit such lofty praise.
On paper, the club seemed very average: 12th in runs, 10th in average, 10th in ERA, etc. San Fran squeaked into the second wild-card spot with 88 wins, taking care of the Pirates in the play-in game.
From there, the Giants took advantage of its extensive postseason experience and marched to a win in Game 7 of the World Series behind Madison Bumgarner.
Bumgarner, Tim Hudson and deadline acquisition Jake Peavy solidified the staff down the stretch. Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval did their thing, as did the quirky Hunter Pence. Young middle infielders Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik have the makings of a long-lasting double play pairing.
It's too early to dethrone the champs from the top spot, although history tells us that the Giants seem to only like winning championships in even-numbered years.
Offensive MVP
Buster Posey is so consistently good he's sometimes under-appreciated. The S.F. catcher led the Giants in average, homers, RBI and OPS.
Pitching MVP
Come on, really? Bumgarner's legendary postseason helped cement him as one of the game's best, as do career averages of a 3.06 ERA and 8.46 strikeouts per nine innings.
Potential Free-Agent Pickup
A one-year contract for a veteran starter like Aaron Harang makes sense for the defending champs.
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