Post by Bryan (ex WAS) on Jan 21, 2014 18:39:13 GMT -5
Will try and do power rankings every week sort of like ESPN does once the season starts but will more than likely miss a couple of weeks do to school/summer. The Power Rankings will only be based on the 2014 regular season.
On-Deck Circle Winter Power Rankings
| Power Rank | Team | Predictions | Comments |
| 1st |  | The Arizona Diamondbacks are nearly filled with an all-star at every position and have one of the deepest rotations in the league and one of the best. The team should easily win the NL West Division title and get the coveted 1st Round Bye. As of right now I don't see them winning the title just because the number 1 ranked team prior before the season has never won the world series. I think the Diamondbacks could end up going to the National League Championship and lose again the competiion. | Offensively all-star at every position the only ? mark I see right now is how Anthony Rendon will turn out especially with him being the only 2B on the Diamondbacks could spell trouble but with how many starting pitchers they have should not be hard to trade for a decent 2B down the road. The weakest part of the time is the bullpen but still pretty decent could use an upgrade with closers but should not have any harm to the teams performance in the difficult National League. |
| 2nd |  | The New York Mets unlike the Diamondbacks are in a loaded division with 4 super star talented teams. We learned in the AL Central last year from the Kansas City Royals that all-star teams don't always win like the paper reads so it could happen again this year only to the New York Mets this time. As of right now I think the Mets will end up winning the National League East by a couple of games over the 3 other talented teams. However, I don't see them repeating a comeback to the National League Championship. | Arguably one of the best infields in the league but the outfield has some question marks and the depth of the team could end up costing the team a Division title. The starting rotation took a big hit when Matt Harvey went down to Tommy John but the rotation is still one of the best in the division and the good bullpen will help for some of the bad starts. |
| 3rd |  | Should easily make the playoffs it's biggest competitor took a giant step backwards and it's all Chicago Cubs this year in the NL Central. With a first round bye I see the Cubs easily knocking out their opponent to advance to the NL Championship against the Diamondbacks. | Offensively not a lot of question marks but the catching position could spell trouble sooner than later with an aging AJ and young talented Zunino. The rotation is a top 3-5 rotation in the league with names like Cole, Price, Zimmermann, and Hamels. Any bullpen with Chapman is decent but adding names like Street,Marshall and Venters make it one of the best in the leagues. |
| 4th |  | The Cleveland Indians have been a pretty solid team in the past but they were also in the best division with 3 of the best teams in the league until now that is. With the relocation of the Royals and the slight rebuild of the Tigers. I see the Indians just beating out the Chicago White Sox by a couple of games. They should earn themselves a first round bye but I think the Indians will lose the first match-up of the post season that they have. | A crazy talented offense with big names all around though Justin Ruggiano managing left field could spell trouble for the Indians the rest of the all-stars should easily pick up the slack against the much weaker American League. The rotation had a lot of breakout pitchers last year with names like Santana, Liriano, and Scherzer. It could be a bust on some of them if they don't continue the 2014 successful season and maybe even cause the Indians from missing out on the playoffs. |
| 5th |  | The Chicago White Sox should easily make the post-season for the 4th straight season in On-Deck circle barring any injuries to the lineup. I see them getting a wildcard berth with ease and knocking out their opponent with not much of a challenge. Then advancing to the Championship and going tot he World Series for the first time in team history. | Without a doubt a top 5 rotation in the league and the offense is surrouned with big names but currently with no center fielder and literally no bench help at all one injury to a key player could drop the White Sox out of the playoff race early in the season. The bullpen is pretty solid but getting rid of David Robertson was probably not a smart idea. |
| 6th |  | The Orioles and Rays rivalry should not be much competition this year as I see the Orioles running away with the AL East with at least a 20+ game lead. The first round bye will be nice for the Orioles and I see them advancing to the Championship against the White Sox but end up falling just short of a World Series appearance. | The rotation has big names like Yu Darvish, A.J. Griffin, and CJ Wilson and tons of depth so the team should not have any problem winning pitching categories especially after the addition of Papelbon in the bullpen. The offense has some question marks but overall is pretty solid with guys like Altuve,Bruce and Posey leading the way. |
| 7th |  | The Nationals with a top 3 rotation in the league and a talented offense with tons of question marks could be trouble but I see a wildcard berth at the worst for the team and see them advancing to the next round in the playoffs but end up losing to the opponent. | Once again a rotation with names like Hernandez and Strasburg leading the way is always nice but the bullpen is weak and could cause some pitching losses. The offense has some big names but also some guys that could get hurt and cause the team to miss out of the playoffs in the crowded National League. |
| 8th |  | The former Reds owner has had success in the past in making the playoffs and moving to the worst division in the league should only help the team. The team should grab the division title like the Orioles with a 20+ game lead unless injuries occur or the Rangers get some breakout players again. After they make the playoffs I don't see them getting anywhere a first round knockout should happen. | The offense is loaded with big names much like White Sox just a little worse offensively team and the depth is about the same which is not much. So injuries could kill the playoff chances of the Athletics. The rotation once again another top rotation might fall a little bit outside of the top 5 but still right their next to some of the best. |
| 9th |  | A down year for the Phillies last season and the crazy talented infield and signing of Kershaw were very nice but I still don't see the team making the playoffs this year I see them just falling short by about 5 games. | The infield is crazy good but the outfield is one of the worst in the league. The rotation has Kershaw and Buccholz who is good when healthy but key word is healthy. So unless they somehow sign Tanaka which is starting to seem unlikely the Phillies won't be making the playoffs despite the very good bullpen. |
| 10th |  | A team that never seems to get the love but always wins. I see that trend continuing as I have them making the playoffs with a wildcard birth but getting knocked out in the wildcard quickly. | Offensively some pretty big questions with Freese and if Brown and Gattis can continue their 2013 success. The rotation is very deep with some talented young pithers that should carry them over the hump on the Phillies to beat them out barely. |
| 11th |  | Was the best team last year in many power rankings but the owner decided to retool and seems to be a good idea especially with the relocation of the Royals. The Tigers should easily cruise into the playoffs with a wildcard birth and be the 3rd AL Central team to make the playoffs and the last AL team in rankings to make the playoffs. I don't see them getting far in the playoffs however a early exit is in the future of the Tigers. | Offensively the team took a big hit and should have a hard time competing against the few elite teams in the American League with Carroll as the only 3B could be big trouble for the Tigers. The rotation is nasty but unfortunately so are the other good teams in the American League that they will have to be competing with to get further in the playoffs. |
| 12th |  | The Marlins had a rebuild last season and it is starting to look like a good idea offensively. The key addition of Davis offensively should help dramatically. They are in probably the best division in the league and the rotation just won't cut it. The team should finish 4th and 3rd in the wildcard race behind the Rockies and Phillies respectively. | The offense is simply amazing with names like Harper,Goldschmidt, and Myers. One of the best in the league but the rotation unfortunately is no where near as good it should compete with some of the lower ranked teams in the league but when it matters I don't see them doing good. Which will cause the team to fall short. |
| 13th |  | Seems to always be the 2nd favorite in the American League West and once again that's what they are could they prove us wrong again? I'm going to go with no the team is talented but the rotation is no where near the talent of the Athletics and the offense is not as good either so no signs of the Rangers making the post-season in 2014 | The offense has some big names the team is hoping that Brandon Moss's power surge continues and that the Willingham injury was just a minor set back in his career if the two of them come back and do what they are capable of the Rangers may end up proving me wrong again. The rotation and bullpen are okay but not much more then that. |
| 14th |  | This team is really starting to come in and looks to be taking storm of the league much like the Cubs did but maybe a little bit stronger. Super talented young players coming in to the league at a hot pace. Should be right their in the wildcard race but falling short behind the Marlins and others. | The offense is very talented and young which to me is the only reason I don't see them making the playoffs just not fully their year. The talent is their just not the experience. The rotation and bullpen is flat out nasty with Wacha,Cingrani, and Walker but only time can tell how serious these youngsters are. |
| 15th |  | World Series champs! Then a minor rebuild but a big enough rebuild where they have a slim shot at making the post season in 2014. I see the trend continuing of no return after a World Series ring for the 3rd straight season. | Offense Rizzo,Profar, Machado, Trout speaks for itself but after that not much and no depth should get a good amount of wins though against smaller teams offensively. The rotation after Colon has some question marks like if Pineda can come back and do what he has been projected to do. Bullpen is okay good not great Chris Perez could be a nice arm for just 1 mil and a key player for maybe some trade bait in July. |
| 16th |  | Just like the Cardinals the Rays have taken a major step back but their step back was not because of a minor rebuild more so to losing talent to free agency. The team should not be in a wild card race they might end up getting 20-30 games within distance but not much closer than that. | The offense has some nice pieces like Castllenaos but lots of guys on the team might not even be starters which will cause tons of losses for the team offensively and the poor batting average of the players will hurt. The rotation should be the only thing keeping this team in some sort of race. |
| 17th |  | The best thing that can happen to the Twins is if the White Sox have tons of injuries that could open the playoff door for them perhaps but very unlikely to happen. Should finish just ahead of the Rays which is a nice improvement from last year. | The offense has quite a few big names that should help them get a good amount of wins and keep them in the wildcard race with the Rangers, White Sox, and Tigers. The offense and bullpen has the most depth in the league which is good and it has a few solid names like Lackey and Cain. So should compete on good nights by these guys. This could be the surprise team of the American League. |
| 18th |  | Dodgers were the favorites to win the West last year but with the resurgence of the Rockies and relocation of the Royals. The Dodgers are in trouble a rebuild could come sooner than later for the team as they should not be anywhere near a wildcard race in 2014. | Cruz, Granderson, Donaldson lead a pretty average offense but should still compete with teams like the Nationals offensively. The problem with the team is their rotation and bullpen. Their best starting pitcher is either Kazmir or Chen. Not a good 1-2 punch for a playoff team which is why they won't be making it anywhere. |
| 19th |  | From one of the worst teams in the league to perhaps a 2nd place finish the weak American League East could be a great season for the Red Sox but I don't see them getting over 120 wins but that might be good enough to finish 2nd the AL East. | Offensively the team is okay a bit worse than the Rays but the rotation is one of the best in the AL East and even in the league with tons of young talent and a veteran like Greinke is super nice. Watch out for this team and the Twins as they could surprise us. |
| 20th |  | Another team with a relocation could end up getting 2nd in the NL Central but a 3rd place finish behind the Pirates and Cubs is more realistic for the team should finish with a sub par .500 record maybe a little bit under .500. | Not really any standout players sorta similar to the A's in real life bunch of okay guys that could end up doing something but highly unlikely. The rotation needs a breakout pitcher like the Indians had with Santana and Liriano but once again very unlikely for that to happen. |
| 21st |  | The Royals made some sort of noise this off-season by signing a all-star outfielder in Jacoby Ellsbury for a good amount of cash. They should not be competing for anything really maybe just hope to beat a team that makes the playoffs is a good goal that the Royals can have. | Offensively it's alright nothing special but if Kendrys signs and starts it could be a pretty decent offense for the Royals and they can perhaps beat teams like the Rays. |
| 22nd |  | The Angels have some pretty big names and contracts in Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes. The team had quite the cap trouble for the future so when the new owner Colin took over he thought it was best to tear the team down get cheaper and make the team as his own. While doing a okay job the team should finish very far out of the playoffs in 2014 but maybe 2015. | A okay offense but depth and holes will cause the team to lose to decent teams and talented teams in the regular season. While the rotation has starting pitchers none are any good. Going to a rough 2014 season for the Angels but a much improved team in the future should be coming with a better cap situation. |
| 23rd |  | After making the playoffs in 2012 the Astros made a big rebuild and are starting to make a comeback but still to shallow of an offense for the team to do anything. The team is sort of similar to the Angels in the American League but with a better rotation. Should race for 4th in the Central but I seem them falling shot with a 5th place finish. | Some nice names in the rotation but some of them are Dodgers 6 and 7 starters. If Fister does what he does and Peavy goes to what he can do the rotation might actually start to look good but as of right now it's not great. The offense has some pretty big names in Jeter, Fielder, mcCann, and Upton but after them it's nothing. Which will hurt for when they try and compete. |
| 24th |  | Not going to compete this year plain and simple a 4th place finish is going to happen for them without a doubt unless Kemp gets hurt again then it can be a race with the Padres. | Offense has Kemp and Hicks but nothing else. The rotation and bullpen are to weak to really talk about but the future of this team is bright on a good note. |
| 25th |  | Dead last in the NL Central is the best they will do but might not have the worst record but they may want it to rebuild. | This team is the Giants minus Matt Kemp. |
| 26th |  | To start the off-season they were going to try and contend but with the relocation of the Royals. The owner thought it was best to rebuild so a 5th place finish in the West is the best they will do. | Offense and rotation has nothing at all. |
| 27th |  | World Series Winner to wild card race to one of the worst teams in the league another team that will compete for 4th/5th. | The owner has traded away all the major league pieces for some nice picks so once again nothing in the majors. |
| 28th |  | Worst,worst,worst, and once again they will be the worst. | Offense has nothing and rotation ahs nothing but once again the future of the team looks to be promising. |
| 29th |  | At best the team will compete with the Yankees for 4th place finish and bragging rights but with the amnesty of Hunter the Jays seem like they want dead last for some reason. | Nothing offensively or in the pitching department much like the 4-5 teams above them. |
| 30th |  | Woody has decided to take on of if not the biggest challenge in ODC history and that is take over the Atlanta Braves who was ruined by a name we shall not mention. A dead last place in the NL East will without a doubt happen and maybe even the worst record in the league. | Nothing offensively or pitching to talk about. |
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