MLB power rankings

Reinforcements put Tigers on top heading into season

March 30, 2013|Phil Rogers | On Baseball
  • Tigers' Anibal Sanchez throws a second inning pitch while playing the Athletics at Comerica Park.
Tigers' Anibal Sanchez throws a second inning pitch while playing the Athletics at Comerica Park. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

1. Tigers: Forget the concern at closer. They were loaded last year, and they're a lot better with Victor Martinez, Torii Hunter and a full year of Anibal Sanchez.

2. Dodgers: Hanley Ramirez's injury could slow them out of the gate, but they're deep and will get better as the season goes on. A healthy Matt Kemp is as big an addition as Zack Greinke.

3. Blue Jays: Arguably no team is as deep as one with Rajai Davis, Emilio Bonifacio and the gristle guys, Mark DeRosa and Henry Blanco, on the bench.

4. Angels: It won't be a shock if Albert Pujols win the MVP. He will benefit greatly from having Josh Hamilton around.

5. Nationals: Game 5 against the Cardinals provides all the motivation they will need.

6. Giants: World Series champions overlooked again?

7. Reds: Had Johnny Cueto stayed healthy, they could have won the World Series in 2012. Key to their season is righty Homer Bailey continuing to look like he did down the stretch a year ago.

8. Braves: The Upton brothers' act will be a smash success.

9. Cardinals: Mike Matheny did a great job last year but could be seriously challenged by a lack of pitching depth. Catcher Yadier Molina is the one indispensable part.

10. Orioles: Adam Jones has MVP potential, but the key to this team is its bullpen, with Pedro Strop as valuable as Jim Johnson.

11. Rangers: They're going to miss Michael Young as badly as Josh Hamilton.

12. Rays: Big talent drain since 2012, with B.J. Upton leaving as a free agent and James Shields traded.

13. Phillies: Chase Utley and Domonic Brown had great springs, fueling renewed hope. But Roy Halladay's missing velocity must come around if they're going to contend. Otherwise, Charlie Manuel will walk away at the end of the season, turning the team over to Ryne Sandberg.

14. Athletics: Can all those rookie starters pitch effectively as sophomores? It usually doesn't work that way.

15. Yankees: They've been a mess since the moment Derek Jeter broke his ankle in October. Joe Girardi will be manager of the year if they can rise from the wreckage after spring injuries claimed Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.

16. Royals: Great spring training for a team that needs a fast start.

17. White Sox: Few major leaguers carry more weight on their shoulders than Tyler Flowers, who is replacing A.J. Pierzynski. It was very risky to let Pierzynski walk.

18. Indians: Everything fell into place over the winter for the management duo of Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti, with Terry Francona, Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn there for the taking. Second place is within reach in the Central, especially if Ubaldo Jimenez builds off some strong spring starts.

19. Diamondbacks: Kirk Gibson has his grinders. The one potential difference-maker is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who is poised for a breakout season.

20. Brewers: Kyle Lohse adds badly needed experience to the rotation behind Yovani Gallardo. He's a nice reward for a group of baseball's best fans, even at the cost of a first-round draft pick.

21. Pirates: Don't rule out a winning season behind Andrew McCutchen, who is a viable MVP candidate.

22. Mariners: Scouts mention the Mariners as a possible surprise team, pointing to an improved lineup.

23. Rockies: Walt Weiss coached a high school team last year. There will be a learning curve.

24. Mets: The highlight of the season will be when Travis d'Arnaud arrives from the minors to become the regular catcher.

25. Red Sox: Ryan Dempster arrives in a wave of nonimpact free agents designed to disguise how far this team is from contending again.

26. Cubs: Will there be any takers for Alfonso Soriano or Carlos Marmol?

27. Padres: Upward mobility when Chase Headley returns from a broken thumb.

28. Twins: With a healthy Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, they'll be a lot tougher to play in 2013.

29. Marlins: When Giancarlo Stanton is the old man, something's wrong.

30. Astros: Who will be the RBI leader, and with how many? Chris Carter? Sixty-five?