MLB Power Rankings: Every Team’s Chances to Win The 2011 World Series
Two of the last three World Series champions have been relatively unexpected, with the Phillies shocking the world in 2008 and the Giants surprising us last season. This season, however, could be different.
With Spring Training almost upon us, it is time to make our early predictions. Other lists are about who will win the MVP and who will win each division, but this list is devoted to predicting the 2011 World Series champions. Who will win it all? Who will be the best team in the world? With a few teams becoming much more powerful in the offseason, this could be an interesting list.
30. Pittsburgh Pirates
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When a team goes 57-105 for a season, you know that they are bad. When a guy with a 5.10 ERA is leading your team in wins, ERA and strikeouts you know something is terribly wrong. I honestly wish that I could say that the Pirates were part of the big moves this offseason, but they were not.
They are essentially the Buffalo Bills of the MLB, meaning that on those rare occasions that they do have talent, they trade it away for just about nothing. In a year when the Steelers lose in the Super Bowl, Pittsburgh fans are due for even more disappointment when the Pirates play.
29. Seattle Mariners
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Last season they were one of only two teams that had 100-plus losses, going 61-101. Their offense was the worst in baseball. The M's were last in runs, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. It's hard to win a game when you can't score, and they did nothing to right their pathetic offense.
The Mariners' biggest move was probably signing Miguel Olivo, and that is not a big improvement at all. We really can't expect Ichiro to carry the offense single-handedly, so I expect the Mariners' offense to remain pitiful. The only reason that Seattle isn't last is because they have Felix Hernandez and Ichiro to help them this season.
28. Kansas City Royals
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A team that lost 95 games last season has become even worse.
Zack Greinke has left the team for the Milwaukee Brewers and now the Royals have lost their ace. Most people do not realize it, but the Royals were second in batting average in the MLB in 2010. The team has a good offensive game, but they lack a powerful bat to bring home runners. During the offseason the Royals needed to acquire a slugger but did not, and they lost their ace, Zack Greinke, which will leave the already poor pitching staff in shambles.
The Royals were a big loser for a team that couldn't get much worse, and it is because of that that they have little-to-no chance at winning the World Series in 2011.
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27. Cleveland Indians
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Poor Cleveland fans. The Browns missed out on the playoffs and lost a few heart-breakers, the Cavaliers are historically bad this season and they don't even have the Indians to look forward to.
The Indians made it to the playoffs a few years back, and now they are one of the worst teams in the game. The Indians lost C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee since then, and Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore are no longer the players that they once were. The Indians' leading hitter in just about every category last season was Shin-Soo Choo, and their only potentially good starter is Fausto Carmona.
The Indians did not make any big splashes in the offseason, and they essentially just kept their roster the same. If the Indians wanted to improve from 69-93, they really did not show it.
26. Houston Astros
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The team was the fourth best in the NL Central last season, but they are slipping down.
The Astros only real moves this offseason were for Bill Hall and Clint Barmes (neither of whom hit over .250 in 2010), potentially making them one of the worst double-play combinations in baseball. The Astros were near last in every major offensive category last season, and Hall and Barmes are not good enough to turn them around.
The Astros' pitching was not terrible, but it was not good. Their ace is Wandy Rodriguez, followed by Brett Myers and J.A. Happ. Considering Myers was better than Rodriguez in most pitching categories, they are not the strongest pitchers. As a Phillies fan, I saw Myers and Happ pitch, and although they can both be great at times, they do need an offense behind them, and the Astros' pitiful offense won't help them to win games.
25. Arizona Diamondbacks
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The Diamondbacks are a very offensively based team. They are led by Xavier Nady and Justin Upton, two good hitters, but they are not enough to salvage Arizona. Their offense is in the middle of the pack unfortunately, and their pitching is worse. The Diamondbacks did not improve over the offseason and they actually lost Mark Reynolds, so they will still finish in the basement of the NL West.
Look for the Diamondbacks to be worse than last season.
24. Washington Nationals
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The Nationals started 2010 off with a loss to the Phillies, 11-1. Sadly, the season did not improve for them.
The Nationals acquired Jayson Werth over the offseason to help their struggling offense, but he won't be enough. Werth could not hit with runners in scoring position last season for the Phillies, and the Nationals can barely get runners into scoring position. Now that Strasburg is almost guaranteed to be done for 2011, the Nationals will continue their poor play which has befallen them in Washington.
23. Toronto Blue Jays
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The Blue Jays were able to win 85 games and take fourth in a tough AL East last season. Their success last season was based on an unbelievable season from Jose Bautista. We can't expect Bautista to do nearly as well as last season, though, and they did not make any big moves over the offseason. The Blue Jays will have to compete with the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays, all of whom can and probably will beat them a lot this season. Since the Blue Jays have such a tough division, they have a very small chance to win the World Series.
22. Baltimore Orioles
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The Orioles may have only won 66 games last season, but they have completely changed. The Orioles have acquired Derrek Lee, J.J. Hardy, Mark Reynolds, Vlad Guerrero and Kevin Gregg. That could be a good enough offseason to make this team respected in the league. The Orioles offense was sub-par last season, and these big names ought to turn that around. While their pitching wasn't spectacular, they did acquire a good closer and they could come very close to the Rays in the AL East standings.
21. New York Mets
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The Mets are not expected to have Johan Santana on Opening Day, and their pitching staff is not nearly as good as it needs to be to be competitive. The Mets have been bad in recent years, and since they are in a tough division with the Phillies and Braves, they should not be expected to be much better this year. The Mets will probably win less than half of their games, and there is no way that they could make the playoffs over the Phillies and Braves unless they all have breakout seasons.
20. Florida Marlins
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The Marlins lost Dan Uggla to their divisional rivals, the Atlanta Braves. Uggla led the team in just about every offensive category except for batting average. The Marlins offense now consists mainly of Hanley Ramirez and their pitching game mostly of Josh Johnson.
The Marlins did not sign any big name players and they were one of the losers in the offseason. Considering that the Marlins did not win half of their games last season and they got worse, it is hard to say that the Marlins will be a good team. The Marlins will have to settle for eliminating other teams from playoff contention.
19. Oakland Athletics
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Oakland went .500 last season, and although they did acquire Hideki Matsui and Brian Fuentes, the A's do not seem like they are much better than they were in 2010. It is hard to imagine the World Series trophy going to Oakland, and even Vegas betting odds have the A's in the bottom third.
18. Tampa Bay Rays
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Where to begin with the Rays? It is hard to project where they will finish considering how active they have been this offseason.
The Rays lost Carl Crawford but signed Johnny Damon. They lost Carlos Pena but signed Manny Ramirez. It has been an up-and-down offseason for the Rays, but they will probably not make the playoffs considering how good the Red Sox and Yankees are. The Rays will probably finish in the middle of the pack this season, and I would not expect too much from them on either side of the field.
17. Los Angeles Dodgers
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The LA Dodgers could not win half of their games last season, and they did not make any big moves to make anyone think that they can make the playoffs this season. The Dodgers' outfield was a big part of their success recently and it is not as strong as it once was. Although their pitching is good, it is not good enough to carry them to the playoffs.
The Dodgers are built like a better-hitting Royals team in the sense that they are all contact and do not have one big bat to seal the deal. Sure a lot of the Dodgers guys have some power, but they do not have the cleanup hitter that they need.
16. Los Angeles Angels
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Last season the Angels won 80 games and that was when they had Matsui. Now that they have lost a big part of their offense and are replacing him with Vernon Wells, they should be just about the same team. The Angels' pitching and defense are good, so this season will just come down to their offense.
If the Angels hit, then look out because they could be great and return to the playoffs...but that's a big if. The Angels offense is not what it once was so it is doubtful that they will win it all.
15. San Diego Padres
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The Padres were a big loser this offseason since they lost Adrian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was a huge part of their offense because he was their power bat who could drive in the runs time after time. Gonzalez had 31 homers and a .298 batting average, which led the team for both statistics. Gonzalez lifted a pitiful offense and they were still very poor, hitting in the bottom third for the four major batting categories. Now the Padres offense is so bad they are not a threat to win 90 games and compete for the division title until the last day again.
14. Colorado Rockies
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The Rockies' offense is led by Carlos Gonzalez, Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki. Their offense was in the top 10 in the four major batting categories and they have not lost any major players. Ubaldo Jimenez is the ace of a good starting staff and is an All-Star for sure. The Rockies are not a pushover of a team, and if they stay healthy, they should be expected to do better than their 83-79 record in 2010.
Look for the Rockies to bounce back.
13. Chicago Cubs
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The Cubbies finished fifth in the NL Central last season but could be looking up.
The Cubs signed Carlos Pena to a one-year contract, and Pena will join Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez in the thick of Chicago's batting order. Pena will be replacing Derrek Lee, which could be considered a slight improvement, and if their pitchers can stay healthy, the Cubs have a chance to win the talented NL Central.
12. Detroit Tigers
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The Tigers finished at .500 last season, going 81-81.
During the offseason, the Tigers did not lose anyone who could change the landscape of their team, and they signed Victor Martinez. Martinez will be the designated hitter for the Tigers which will give him more time to work on his hitting. If Martinez performs well the Tigers could potentially steal the NL Central title from the Twins or White Sox. With Justin Verlander heading their pitching staff and Ordonez and Martinez leading their batting order, the Tigers could have a shot at the playoffs this season.
11. Minnesota Twins
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The Twins simply cannot expect Joe Mauer to have the year that he did last season. Mauer's numbers were absolutely unreal and to expect that from him again is just too much.
If Mauer cannot continue his other-worldly hitting, then someone else will need to step up. Morneau or Kubel are the two players that would be expected, or perhaps Cuddyer. Either way, one of these guys needs to breakout for the Twins to beat out the White Sox. The Twins' pitching is good, but unfortunately the AL is getting stronger and the White Sox have jumped the Twins for control of the AL Central.
10. Milwaukee Brewers
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What an offseason for the Brew Crew!
The Brewers signed Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to strengthen their starting rotation and signed Takashi Saito for their bullpen. The Brewers also signed Mark Kotsay, but he will most likely not be starting. The Brewers' pitching was their weak point last season, and with their additions they have definitely strengthened their team. The Brewers' offense had no problems hitting in the top half in the four major categories. Now that they can pitch, they have made the NL Central a legitimate three-team race.
9. Cincinnati Reds
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The Reds' offense broke out and surprised us all in 2010. The Reds do not seem like a one-year wonder, though.
The Reds have the tools to compete for the NL Central crown this season. If they make the playoffs, they could surprise us like the Phillies did in 2008, the year after they lost to the Rockies in the NLDS. Although the Reds are good, they will have to compete with the Cardinals and Brewers if they want to win it all. With both teams looking stronger, the NL Central could be the best division in the National League. This could be a very telling year for the Reds.
8. Chicago White Sox
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The White Sox acquired Adam Dunn this offseason to solidify their lineup and back their powerful pitching staff.
With Dunn helping out Konerko and Rios, the White Sox have a strong core which is surrounded by good contact hitters who get the job done. The Chi-Sox also have a good pitching staff with Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks. The White Sox have a good chance to win the AL Central in 2011, and if Jake Peavy becomes healthy and pitches well this season, they could potentially win it all.
7. Texas Rangers
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The Rangers won the AL West last season and are in position to do it again even without Cliff Lee.
The Rangers offense lost one of their leaders in Vlad Guerrero, but they replaced the DH with Michael Young and acquired Adrian Beltre to play third base. The Rangers hitting will not be any worse this season than last.
The Rangers pitching staff is a different story, however. Cliff Lee was the backbone of the Rangers' staff last season, and without him they will have to rely on C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis. The Rangers' pitching has taken a hit, but considering how weak the Athletics, Angels and Mariners are, they should still win the AL West, and they should be able to be better than the White Sox since their hitting is so good.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
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The Cardinals finished five games out of first place in the NL Central last season, but they are in position to take back their crown.
With Lance Berkman coming into the mix, the Cardinals batting order is one of the strongest around. The Cards already had Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols, but now they have yet another power bat. The Cardinals' lineup is deadly considering how well even their pitchers hit, and if their big three return to their old selves, they could be looking forward to the playoffs and maybe more.
The Cardinals also have one of the best rotations in baseball. With Wainwright, Carpenter, Lohse, Garcia and Westbrook, the Cardinals can pitch with the best, and we have seen how far good pitching can take a team. If their guys stay healthy, then look out because they could go all the way.
5. San Francisco Giants
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Yes, the World Series Champion Giants have fallen from first to fifth.
The Giants acquired Miguel Tejada over the offseason, an aged slugger who could not even manage 20 home runs and a .270 batting average in 2010. Tejada is taking over the shortstop position which Edgar Renteria had last season, and Tejada is not an upgrade.
At least the Giants have their pitchers. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner and Zito make one of the top rotations in the MLB. The Giants can ride their pitching, but they do not have the same odds as four other teams since they are so one-sided.
4. Atlanta Braves
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Last season the Braves won the NL Wild Card by winning 91 games, and they fixed one of their few holes.
During the 2010 season, the Braves' main hole was at the second base position, and they have filled that with Dan Uggla. Uggla may be lacking in fielding a bit, but he is one of the best hitters in the game. Uggla can be a 30 home run, .300 batting average type of hitter, and he is placed into a Braves lineup which already includes Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Jason Heyward.
Now Chipper may be a question because he needs to come back healthy, but if he does that then the Braves have a legitimate chance at winning the World Series, even despite playing the Phillies so often. The Braves can even hang with the Phillies because their pitchers (Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Mike Minor) are nearly as good and their offense is even better. Look for the Braves to be an underrated team that turns out to be very successful.
3. New York Yankees
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Even though the Yankees did lose Andy Pettitte to retirement, they are still a very good team.
The Yankees lost Pettitte but they still have CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett (who can be very good or very bad). The Yankees should definitely make the playoffs, and when they do, it comes down to only three to four pitchers. The Yankees' bullpen is also one of the best in the majors with Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera, and if we learned anything from the 2008 Phillies, it's that the bullpen means a lot.
The Bronx Bombers also have one of the best offenses in the game from Derek Jeter down to Brett Gardner. Now that the Yankees have added Russell Martin as their catcher and moved Jorge Posada to DH, they have gotten even stronger.
The Yankees and Red Sox have the best rivalry in baseball and now it is getting even better considering how good both teams are. That would be a great ALCS matchup. Look for the Red Sox to regain their old winning ways.
2. Philadelphia Phillies.
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No, the Phillies aren't No. 1. I know that most of you will disagree with this, but after spending my time watching the Phillies, I know that they did not need Cliff Lee as much as they did a good bat.
The Phillies are a very lefty-oriented lineup that does not have the power that it used to. The Phillies also struggle with runners in scoring position, and if you can't score runs you can't win games. The Phillies showed that against the Giants in the NLCS last year.
Sure, the Phillies have the pitching to win it all and a decent offense, but there is one team that can beat them...
1. Boston Red Sox
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Yes, the most improved team in baseball will bounce back from third in the AL East to become the World Series champions.
The Red Sox signed Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler during the offseason. Sure they lost Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, but they still have Kevin Youkilis to play third and they improved their lineup in general during the offseason. The Red Sox have some of the best hitters in the majors and everyone needs to look out for them.
Look at Boston's starting rotation: Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Their five-man rotation is as good as the Phillies. The Red Sox also have one of the best bullpens in the bigs and the Phillies don't even come close. There really is no weak link in Boston's pen, and that is why they are so deadly...they can keep you down for the entire game, or season.
The Boston Red Sox have the best chance at winning the World Series in 2011, and they need to be taken very seriously in 2011. Everyone wants to give the crown to the Phillies already, but there's a reason that they play the game.
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