MLB Power Rankings at the Start of March
Spring training action is in full swing and Opening Day is less than a month away as the calendar turns over to March.
It's been an interesting MLB offseason, to say the least, with a handful of landscape-altering trades and an abnormally slow-moving free-agent market that has effectively dragged down the price of veteran talent across the league.
And even with the preseason in full swing, guys like Jake Arrieta, Mike Moustakas, Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb, Jonathan Lucroy and Greg Holland are still available in free agency.
This seems like as good a time as any for an updated version of our MLB power rankings, which were last updated on Feb. 12.
There's still time for things to change between now and March 29, but this should serve as a good baseline for where all 30 clubs stack up for the upcoming season.
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30. Miami Marlins
Signing Cameron Maybin was a nice low-risk move for the Marlins as they look to address a wide-open outfield situation in the aftermath of an offseason fire sale.
The projected rotation of Dan Straily, Jose Urena, Dillon Peters, Odrisamer Despaigne and Justin Nicolino is going to put a ton of pressure on the bullpen, so they would be wise to find some cheap, veteran innings in what could be a 100-loss season.
29. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have done well in scooping up some intriguing veteran talent on low-risk, one-year deals. Mike Fiers, Francisco Liriano and Travis Wood will all eat innings and could turn into viable trade chips by midseason, while center fielder Leonys Martin has the added bonus of another year of arbitration and could end up in the leadoff spot.
These are the type of moves you're supposed to make when you're just starting a rebuild.
28. Kansas City Royals
Turning Eric Hosmer into Lucas Duda is the perfect embodiment of the current direction the Royals are heading.
Their window of contention has slammed shut and they're left with a big league roster that's largely bereft of young, impact talent and one of the thinnest farm systems in the league. Get comfortable, folks: This rebuild could be a long one.
27. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox's decision to sign veteran catcher Welington Castillo is one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
With Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer all shy of their 25th birthday and all penciled into spots in the Opening Day rotation, having a veteran hand guiding their development will be crucial, not to mention the impending arrival of flame thrower Michael Kopech.
It speaks to just how weak the AL Central is that the White Sox are No. 27 in these rankings, which is good enough for a projected third-place finish in the standings.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates
Trading away Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole signaled a clear organizational shift for the Pirates, and now they'll need another wave of homegrown talent to lead them back to contention.
The progression of pitchers like Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams, Chad Kuhl, Tyler Glasnow, newcomer Joe Musgrove and top prospect Mitch Keller will go a long way in determining how quickly they can return to relevance.
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25. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds averaged a solid 4.6 runs per game last season and should again have a dangerous offense, with Joey Votto and Eugenio Suarez leading the way and top prospect Nick Senzel knocking on the door.
It's their starting staff that remains a major question mark. Healthy seasons from Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani would go a long way and the young duo of Luis Castillo and Robert Stephenson both showed flashes last season, but they need a few of their young arms to legitimately stake claim to rotation spots.
A fourth-place finish in the NL Central looks like their clear ceiling in 2018.
24. San Diego Padres
Signing Eric Hosmer is a sign the Padres would like to shift their window of contention earlier, but one major free-agent splash won't be enough to make them contenders in 2018.
That said, even playing in a tough NL West, they should be able to improve on their 71-91 showing from a year ago.
Guys like Manuel Margot, Austin Hedges and Dinelson Lamet look like potential franchise cornerstones, and there's plenty more young talent on the way with one of the best farm systems at their disposal.
23. Philadelphia Phillies
After focusing on accumulating young talent and building for the future the past several seasons, the Phillies signaled that they're finally ready to start making some headway in the standings with the addition of Carlos Santana on a three-year, $60 million deal.
The team also seems to be kicking the tires on a significant pitching addition, as they've "had contact" with Lance Lynn and have an "ongoing dialogue" with Jake Arrieta, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
A major step forward from the 66 wins they posted a year ago is possible, but it's still a young team with an unproven rotation behind Aaron Nola.
22. Atlanta Braves
The Braves are at a similar point in their rebuilding efforts as the Phillies.
Sorting out the starting rotation behind Julio Teheran and Mike Foltynewicz will be one of the more interesting position battles to watch unfold this spring, and the rise of top outfield prospect Ronald Acuna will also grab headlines.
This looks like a team gearing up to make a splash in the 2018-19 free-agent market, so expect a modest improvement in the win-loss column during the upcoming season before a major push toward contention in 2019.
21. Tampa Bay Rays
After trading Evan Longoria, Jake Odorizzi, Steven Souza Jr. and Corey Dickerson, this is a noticeably different-looking Rays team.
Those trades should kick-start a youth movement, with Willy Adames and Jake Bauers both ready to step into major roles at the MLB level and a number of young arms on the cusp of big league relevance.
Even with Odorizzi gone and Brent Honeywell lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, the starting rotation still has a chance to be a strength and could be enough for them to avoid the AL East cellar.
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20. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles finally added some starting pitching, signing Andrew Cashner to a two-year, $16 million deal and bringing back Chris Tillman with a one-year, $3 million pact.
That helps, but it's not a drastic improvement for a rotation that was last in the majors with a 5.70 ERA a year ago.
It's hard to see this team hanging around in the AL East race, which could mean guys like Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach hit the trade market in July with free agency looming next offseason.
19. Oakland Athletics
The A's have some good young pieces to build around, with Matt Olson and Matt Chapman emerging as cornerstone pieces on the infield and Sean Manaea and Kendall Graveman looking like solid middle-of-the-rotation arms.
They're still building for the future, but after going 17-7 down the stretch last year and then adding some quality pieces (Stephen Piscotty, Yusmeiro Petit, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Moss) this offseason, this is a team that could surprise some people.
18. San Francisco Giants
Is adding Evan Longoria, Andrew McCutchen, Austin Jackson and Tony Watson to what was a 98-loss team a year ago enough to make the Giants contenders?
Probably not, but coupled with better production from incumbents like Johnny Cueto, Hunter Pence and Mark Melancon as well as healthy seasons from Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Belt, they could be drastically improved.
Still, they'll be chasing three other NL West clubs entering the year.
17. Seattle Mariners
Adding Dee Gordon and Ryon Healy will give the Mariners more offensive firepower in 2018.
The offense wasn't the issue in 2017, though.
The issue was a starting rotation that was hit hard by injuries and too often forced to turn to mediocre depth options as a result. So far this offseason, nothing has been done to address that glaring issue, which is a recipe for disaster for a team that's desperate to get back to the postseason.
16. New York Mets
The Mets have been busy adding veteran talent this offseason.
Adrian Gonzalez (age 35), Jason Vargas (35), Todd Frazier (32), Anthony Swarzak (32) and Jay Bruce (30) have all been added in free agency, leaving the roster much better positioned to deal with injuries after it was decimated a year ago.
It's hard to see them challenging the Washington Nationals for the NL East title, but as long as they're not consumed by the injury bug again, a wild-card push is within reach.
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15. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays saw their win total drop by 13 last season, as they went from an American League Championship Series appearance to fourth in the AL East standings.
Adding Curtis Granderson and Randal Grichuk should boost production at the corner outfield spots. Jaime Garcia is a nice addition to fill out the rotation. The versatile Yangervis Solarte will be invaluable if the oft-injured duo of Devon Travis and Troy Tulowitzki spends time on the disabled list again.
Healthy seasons from Aaron Sanchez and J.A. Happ in the starting rotation will be equally important, as it was the starting staff that was the team's biggest strength in 2016.
14. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have completely overhauled their pitching staff this offseason.
Matt Moore, Mike Minor, Doug Fister and non-roster invitee Bartolo Colon are set to join Cole Hamels and converted reliever Martin Perez in a six-man rotation, while Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin are newcomers in the bullpen. The signing of Tim Lincecum is expected to be finalized this week, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Veterans Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus will once again carry the offense, but it will be up to young hitters like Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Willie Calhoun and Ronald Guzman to also make a significant impact if Texas hopes to earn a postseason spot.
13. Minnesota Twins
While the Twins missed out on their No. 1 offseason target, Yu Darvish, it was still a productive winter.
Jake Odorizzi was added to bring some stability to the rotation, and the veteran trio of Fernando Rodney, Addison Reed and Zach Duke will bolster the bullpen. They also took advantage of the slow market to sign Logan Morrison at a fraction of his perceived value.
Still, this team will go as far as the young, homegrown core carries it, as there's plenty of room for guys like Jose Berrios, Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to build off last season's performance.
12. Milwaukee Brewers
Adding Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain to a team that surprised more than a few people by winning 86 games and finishing second in the NL Central last season was a clear sign that the Brewers are ready to contend.
However, their attention may have been better focused on the starting rotation.
The young trio of Jimmy Nelson, Chase Anderson and Zach Davies gives them a good core of controllable arms, but adding a proven ace might be enough to push them over the top.
Jake Arrieta has to sign somewhere, right?
11. Colorado Rockies
Improved pitching made all the difference for the Rockies last season.
With Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw added to replace Greg Holland and Pat Neshek at the back of the bullpen, the front office ensured that its relievers would once again be a stabilizing presence as opposed to a glaring hole.
Still, the performance of young starters Kyle Freeland, Tyler Anderson, German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman, along with the continued emergence of Jon Gray as a legitimate ace, will determine how far the Rockies go in 2018.
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10. Los Angeles Angels
Shohei Ohtani will be the focus of spring training for the Angels, and a lot has also been made about the additions of Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart to fill significant holes at second and third base, respectively.
While those are all huge additions, the health of the starting rotation plays an equally large factor in the team climbing inside the top 10 in our preseason rankings.
Andrew Heaney (five starts), Garrett Richards (six), Matt Shoemaker (14) and Tyler Skaggs (16) all missed significant time last season, and having those arms back at full strength could wind make a bigger impact than any outside addition.
9. St. Louis Cardinals
Trading for Marcell Ozuna gives the Cardinals a legitimate 30-homer threat to anchor the middle of the lineup—something they have not had since Albert Pujols left town after the 2011 season.
The biggest question will be whether the additions of Luke Gregerson, Bud Norris and Dominic Leone are enough to improve a bullpen that was shaky at times last season.
That said, a full season of Luke Weaver in the rotation, the addition of Miles Mikolas from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league and the return of Alex Reyes give the team an abundance of talented arms. The pitching staff as a whole has significant upside.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
After their win total jumped from 69 to 93 last season, the Diamondbacks will enter the 2018 season with legitimate expectations.
The starting rotation of Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, Zack Godley and Patrick Corbin returns intact and should once again be among the best in baseball. Meanwhile, the bullpen swapped out Fernando Rodney for Brad Boxberger and Japanese standout Yoshihisa Hirano, and it should be improved.
Losing rental slugger J.D. Martinez hurts, but trading for Steven Souza and signing Alex Avila should be enough to keep the offense among the most productive in all of baseball.
7. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox finally came to terms with Martinez, signing him to a five-year, $110 million deal that includes opt-outs prior to each of the final three seasons.
That moves them into the upper echelon of MLB teams, as a lack of power was arguably the biggest issue surrounding the 93-win team last year.
There are still questions about the starting rotation, though, and they'll need a healthy season from David Price, a bounce-back campaign from Rick Porcello and a similar performance from Drew Pomeranz to keep pace with the rival New York Yankees in the AL East.
6. Cleveland Indians
Replacing Carlos Santana and Bryan Shaw with Yonder Alonso and non-roster invitee Matt Belisle looks like an obvious downgrade to the Indians roster.
That roster is still absolutely stacked, though.
The starting rotation is six-deep with impact starters, as Mike Clevinger (12-6, 3.11 ERA, 137 K, 121.2 IP) could start the season in the bullpen or in Triple-A. That depth will serve them well over a 162-game season.
There's still plenty of offensive firepower even without Santana, and the bullpen won't miss a beat if Nick Goody (56 G, 2.80 ERA, 11.9 K/9) builds off a strong 2017 season and steps into more of a high-leverage role.
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5. New York Yankees
After reaching the ALCS in what was expected to be a retooling season, the Yankees continued to push up their timetable by swinging a blockbuster deal to acquire Giancarlo Stanton.
Pairing the reigning NL MVP with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and the rest of what was the second-highest scoring offense in baseball last season could result in an offensive juggernaut.
Meanwhile, they'll have a full season of Sonny Gray in a talented starting rotation, backed by arguably the best relief corps in baseball.
The Red Sox closed the gap by signing J.D. Martinez, but the AL East looks like the Yankees' division to lose.
4. Washington Nationals
The Nationals are all-in on the 2018 season with Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Gio Gonzalez all set to reach free agency.
The return of Adam Eaton will add another dimension to the offense, and full seasons of Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Sean Doolittle should make the bullpen a strength.
The No. 5 starter's spot is still a question mark since Joe Ross is expected to miss the entire 2018 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but that's the only hole on a loaded roster.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have won five straight NL West titles and they finally reached the World Series last season for the first time since 1988.
All that's left is to hoist the trophy.
It's been a quiet offseason after they spent big to bring back Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Rich Hill last winter, though they did add Scott Alexander and Tom Koehler to replace Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson in the bullpen.
After taking home back-to-back NL Rookie of the Year awards with Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact top prospects Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo will make.
2. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have done everything necessary to again be the team to beat in the National League.
Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood were signed to replace Jake Arrieta and John Lackey, while a leaky bullpen was addressed with the additions of Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek.
Meanwhile, the versatility of players like Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ will once again allow manager Joe Maddon to be fluid with his lineup—a group that led the majors in runs scored after the All-Star break last season.
The Dodgers and Nationals are legitimate title contenders, but all eyes are on the Cubs in the NL after the Darvish signing.
1. Houston Astros
How impressive is the Astros' starting pitching depth?
Brad Peacock (21 GS, 13-2, 3.00 ERA, 161 K, 132.0 IP) and Collin McHugh (12 GS, 5-2, 3.55 ERA, 62 K, 63.1 IP) will likely be pitching out of the bullpen. The team has Justin Verlander available on Opening Day, and newcomer Gerrit Cole is set to join Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr. on the starting staff.
Then there's the offense, which led the majors in batting average (.282), OPS (.823) and runs scored (896) and returns all the major players.
The bullpen was the biggest question mark when the offseason began, and the additions of Hector Rondon and Joe Smith in free agency, along with Peacock and McHugh moving into new roles, could make that a strength as well.
It's a tough road ahead, but the Astros have the goods to repeat.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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