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

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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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: General Manager of the New York Yankees Brian Cashman look on during a game against the Texas Rangers in Game Two of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 16, 2010 in Arlington, Texa

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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BOSTON - OCTOBER 14: Manager Joe Madden of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on as his team takes on the Boston Red Sox in game four of the American League Championship Series during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Fenway Park on October 14, 2008 in Boston, Massachusett

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!

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Fred Wilpon, General Manager Sandy Alderson, New York Mets new manager Terry Collins, Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz pose for pictures during a press conference at Citi Field on November 23, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood, of the Q

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

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is mobbed by Brandon Wood #3, Kevin Frandsen #18, and Jeff Mathis #5 after Hunter's walk off single in the 11th inning ended the game with the Oakland Athletics on Septembe

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?

Elsa/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers reacts after he struck out in the ninth inning against catcher Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on

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

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Carlos Pena #23 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after a 5-2 win against the Texas Rangers during game 4 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

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

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Orlando Hudson #1 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during batting practice against the New York Yankees during Game Three of the ALDS part of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New Yo

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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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre (R) and former player Don Mattingly speak to the media prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 20, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo

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

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Jayson Werth #28 of the Washington Nationals speaks as he is introduced to the media on December 15, 2010 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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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ST LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: Zach Grienke of Kansas City Royals takes part in the MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases after his first inning two run home run against the New York Yankees on August 19, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

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

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 15: Pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies is introduced to the media during a press conference at Citizens Bank Park on December 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

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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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 11: Carl Crawford answers questions during a press conference announcing his signing with the Boston Red Sox on December 11, 2010 at the Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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.