2010 MLB Pre-Season Power Rankings

Here we have FUNK Baseball’s first official MLB Power Rankings of 2010. These are all pure speculation. They are strictly my opinion, and I encourage debate and criticism.

30. Pittsburgh Pirates (2009: 62-99)

For Pirates fans who were saddened by their 2009 showing, don’t expect much better this year. They are not good on offense, and have no pitching. The team produces great young talent and then trades them away.  It is for this reason the Pittsburgh Pirates hold the worst spot in FUNK's first ever Power Rankings.

29. Washington Nationals (2009: 59-103)

Well it certainly can’t get much worse for the Washington Nationals, but there’s no reason to believe it’s going to get too much better in 2010. They helped their pitching staff with Jason Marquis. They have a lot to look forward to in Stephen Strasburg. I expect the Nationals to land in the basement of the NL East, but they should improve on 59 wins, and finish higher than the Pittsburgh Pirates.

28. Toronto Blue Jays (2009: 75-87)

Expect the Blue Jays to have an even worse showing than their poor 2009 campaign. Realistically, even with a much better showing, they’re still not coming close to the top of the AL East. They lost the best right handed pitcher in the game, and now have to play the waiting game with their prospects. They have absolutely no pitching, so it will be a few years before this team is worth mentioning with the big boys again.

27. Cleveland Indians (2009: 65-97)

The Indians offense isn’t all that bad. I always pick the Indians to have a big season and win the AL Central, and they always let me down. The team will score runs, but will their pitching help? The rotation is almost all completely new, and they’re very much in rebuilding mode. Their only upside is they began the rebuilding process almost 2 years ago.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (2009: 70-92)

This was a ranking that could go either way. They could very well be much better than this, but after finishing 25 games under the Dodgers in 2009, it’s hard to give them much respect. They can be happy knowing their three best players (Upton, Reynolds, Montero) are all young and should be around for a while. Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Edwin Jackson don’t make for too bad of a rotation either.

25. San Diego Padres (2009: 75-87)

The Padres are hoping to build off of a strong finish to the 2009 season. Their offense was led by Adrian Gonzalez and that’s pretty much where it ends. Kevin Kouzmanoff, who I think should have been given more time on this team, is no longer with the Padres. There’s some hope being put into Chase Headley, but until the Padres hit above .245 as a team, they have no chance in the NL West. Their ace now plays for the Chicago White Sox, but Health Bell does provide some light at the end of the tunnel. The only problem is that his biggest assets come into play when they’re already winning a ballgame.

24. Houston Astros (2009: 74-88)

There’s not much to look forward to with this Houston Astros team. Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence were not enough to keep this team out of the basement of offensive rankings last year. The worst part is that it’s their pitching that’s the real problem. I don’t expect much out of the Astros in 2010.

23. Oakland Athletics (2009: 75-87)

I think I might be underrating this team. I think the Athletics have a very bright future ahead of them, just not a great 2010. Their pitching staff looks good with Andrew Bailey and Brett Anderson. With Justin Duchscherer resigning, a solid veteran presence is around the young staff. All the Athletics really lack is a big bat, but with good prospects waiting to emerge, this team could end up much higher in the rankings next year.

22. Baltimore Orioles (2009: 64-98)

I’m probably being very generous putting the Baltimore Orioles this high up on the list. They had the worst pitching in the AL in 2009. They have great young players though, and I expect big years out of Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. Brian Roberts is always solid and probably a top three 2nd baseman in the league. If Matt Wieters becomes what the Orioles expect, then he could potentially be one of the best catchers in the league. As stated above though, they have virtually no pitching. They are yet another team that has great potential but they unfortunately play in a division they have no shot of winning for a long time.

21. Milwaukee Brewers (2009: 80-82)

Yovani Gallardo leads this weak staff of pitchers. He just got some much needed help with Randy Wolf joining the team. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are already elite players in their short time in the majors. The problem with this team is their pitching though. They’re not going to finish in the top two in the NL Central unless their pitching comes together. I actually see a potential dealing of Prince Fielder in order to boost the staff some time in the future.

20. Kansas City Royals (2009: 65-97)

This is probably a crazy rank, but I’m feeling a breakout season. Defending AL Cy Young Award winner Zach Greinke leads their otherwise mediocre rotation. If Luke Hochevar becomes what I hoped he would last season, then those two and Brian Bannister should provide for an interesting 1-2-3. Billy Butler seems to be getting better every year, and they’re just waiting on the maturation of Alex Gordon.

19. Cincinnati Reds (2009: 78-84)

Watch out for the Reds to have a breakout year in 2010. They have the talent, but as a group in 2009 they just didn’t live up to it. Joey Votto is going to be good for a while. Brandon Phillips is one of the best 2B in the league. Scott Rolen is always solid. To win, the Reds need their pitching staff to step it up a notch. If Homer Bailey can finally live up to his potential, the Reds are going to compete in the NL Central.

18. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2009: 97-65)

It’s hard to say if losing Vladimir Guerrero is the worst thing in the world for the Angels. He certainly was their anchor for quite a while but is definitely on the decline. Losing Chone Figgins is a big loss. Hanging on to Bobby Abreu was the best move they made this offseason, and obtaining a solid DH in Hideki Matsui isn’t too bad either. At the same time, I don’t see them being big impact players in 2010. The loss of John Lackey obviously puts a hole in any pitching staff, but with Weaver, Saunders, Santana and Kazmir, this could actually be one of the better staffs in Major League Baseball. The Angels are on the decline, and I’m either crazy or really smart to have them in this position on this list, but I see the Angels finishing third in the AL West.

17. Detroit Tigers (2009: 86-77)

I never thought the Detroit Tigers were all that good to begin with, but in the AL Central you never know what can happen. Miguel Cabrera is one of the best hitting 1B in the league. I think Austin Jackson is going to have a good year. The loss of Granderson certainly doesn’t help. On the other hand, with Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello and Bonderman, the team has the shot to compete.

16. Florida Marlins (2009: 87-75)

This team is going to be very good if not great in the coming years. The only question is when? Maybe not yet in ’10, but I’d look out for them in the next few years. If their payroll wasn’t limited to being able to afford to pay an A-Rod type salary for about a month and a half, this team would absolutely own the NL East. With one of the best players in all of baseball, and a solid ace in Josh Johnson, the Marlins could have a shot in 2010 if they made only a few improvements to the rest of their staff.

15. Texas Rangers (2009: 87-75)

I don’t think the 2009 Texas Rangers were as big of a surprise as people made them out to be. It was pretty easy to see that this team had the talent. A healthy Josh Hamilton, a very good Ian Kinsler, and one of the most underrated shortstops in the league in Michael Young, and it’s easy to see why their offense is as good as it is. Pitching has been the problem for the Rangers for the past decade, and the addition of Rich Harden certainly helps in that regard. He’s not going to be the answer that puts them over the hump though.

14. Chicago White Sox (2009: 79-83)

This is the team that is going to challenge the Twins in the AL Central. I may very well have underrated this team, as they are loaded with talent. Bringing in Juan Pierre was a great move for both the White Sox and Juan Pierre who just could not get any time in LA. Mark Teahen moves back to his 3B position. The middle infield is what I really like about this team. Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham are going to be very good baseball players. Look for these two in the draft boards when you need a late sleeper pick. Throw in Alex Rios and a resurgence of Carlos Quentin and the White Sox make me eat my words for ranking the twins ahead of them. Oh, and with a healthy Jake Peavy and the always solid Mark Buerhle, the pitching staff isn’t too bad either.

13. Atlanta Braves (2009: 86-76)

With a healthy Tim Hudson, who upon his return from injury in 2009 really solidified their rotation, and the addition of Troy Glaus, the Braves should stay in contention in the NL East throughout the season. The loss of Javier Vazquez doesn’t help though.

12. Colorado Rockies (2009: 92-70)

I’ve seen them ranked much higher and with good reason. With good young players like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, on top of the always reliable Todd Helton, this team is going to have the potential to compete. The reason they’re ranked so low: Lack of consistency. Look at the 2009 Colorado Rockies. They went from competing for the basement to competing for the division by season’s end. What’s to make me think that the same thing won’t happen again but in reverse?

11. New York Mets (2009: 70-92)

I was tempted to put the New York Mets closer to the top, but with so much uncertainty, I feel safe at this position. Both Mets fans and rivals need to put things into perspective. Before the absurd amount of injuries in 2009, this team was very much alive in the NL East race. On top of that, boards had the New York Mets as high as #2 in pre-season power rankings last year. So now, why do we all hate the Mets? They’ve only gotten better with the acquisition of Jason Bay, and despite David Wright’s decline in power, he still had a great season. Keep an eye on the Carlos Beltran situation, a player who is vital to the team’s success. The Mets made a huge mistake not pushing harder for John Lackey, but will sign at least two solid starting pitchers. Barring another injury filled year, then that other team in New York are in the playoff hunt until season’s end.

10. Chicago Cubs (2009: 83-78)

The Cubs were certainly a disappointing team in 2009. That’s going to change in 2010. As the only real challenge to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, if their pitching stays healthy, the Cubs are a team to watch out for in 2010.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (2009: 84-78)

2009 was an off year for this young team. It’s weird to say considering they only had one “on” year in their existence of a little more than a decade. I expect them to start playing at their 2008 level again. The problem is the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox also play in the same division. The AL East is easily the toughest division in baseball. This is a team that is young and highly competitive. The Rays have a chance to remain in contention if their pitching is above mediocre, because make no mistake about it, this team can hit the ball. This team is good, and if they were in any other division, they'd be the favorite.

8. San Francisco Giants (2009: 88-74)

The Giants have the pitching to be a very dangerous team in the NL West (Lincecum-Cain-Zito). With a couple of bats besides Mark DeRosa and Bengie Molina, this team becomes winners. The Giants should compete for the division.

7. Minnesota Twins (2009: 87-76)

There’s not much to say about the Twins other than they always seem to compete. A healthy rotation and Justin Morneau should equal an AL Central Division title. The addition of JJ Hardy can’t hurt too much either.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (2009: 95-67)

The Dodgers did absolutely nothing this offseason. They really didn’t need to though. Granted they actually might have some competition this season from the Giants and Rockies, but what do they need (at least for the 2010 season)? They have two young stud pitchers in Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw. The loss of Randy Wolf may hurt a bit, but not enough to keep them out of contention. With the offense anchored by Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier, there’s no reason to think they won’t go five straight appearances in the post-season. Expect Matt Kemp to have an even bigger year than in 2009, as long as he’s not involved in any domestic disputes with his current girlfriend of course.

5. Seattle Mariners (2009: 85-77)

This is not a typo. Seattle has made huge strides this offseason in making themselves a contender for the first time in years. They’ve acquired a second ace in Cliff Lee, a great leadoff hitter in Chone Figgins, a solid OF in Milton Bradley, along with Casey Kotchman to man first base. I like them to win the AL West. I think that Anaheim is on the decline, Texas needs to figure out their pitching woes, and Oakland remains the joke of the AL West.

4. St. Louis Cardinals (2009: 91-71)

I’m not sure what the Cardinals are missing to get over the hump this year, but they’re currently fielding a team that’s almost a certainty to be vying for a spot in October. I said it last year that I’d take their 3-4-5 (Pujols-Holliday-Ludwick) hitters against any other team in the league, and can you argue it? Throw in one of the best 1-2 punches of Chris Carpenter (if he stays healthy) and Adam Wainwright and you have your NL Central champions.

3. Philadelphia Phillies (2009: 93-69)

The Phillies are undoubtedly the class of the National League. Does it make sense to say that they have been mostly quiet this offseason? I mean, they were involved in the blockbuster deal that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle while bringing in Roy Halladay. Now, although many consider Halladay to be the best pitcher in baseball, the way Cliff Lee has matured the past few years on top of the near perfect pitching he provided this team with his short tenure there makes you question the point of the trade. You can’t argue that having Roy Halladay makes your team worse though, and there’s no reason to believe he will not thrive in the NL. They need an upgraded bullpen, but still expect the Phillies to be around in October.

2. Boston Red Sox (2009: 95-67)

I hate to have the top two teams in the same league, let alone the same division. This team is loaded with talent. On top of that, they have arguably the best overall rotation in Major League Baseball. If the Red Sox make the playoffs, I would put my entire savings account on them to win the first round, regardless of who they play. The addition of Marco Scutaro should finally solidify their SS position for the first time since Nomar was a young stud. Mike Cameron makes the outfield a defensive nightmare for opposing hitters, and Adrien Beltre should be an upgrade from Mike Lowell. There’s no reason to believe that the AL East will not have two playoff teams.

1. New York Yankees (2009: 103-59)

There’s just no logic to support a case against the defending World Champions. If you can believe it, they won the World Series and decided to celebrate it by getting even better. Fan favorite Melky Cabrera is gone, but for anyone to argue that this wasn’t a great deal for the Yankees just doesn’t know baseball. Javier Vazquez wasn’t a stud by any means his first go around, but in 2010, he’s their 3 or 4 starter, which is laughable. A 1-2 starter on most MLB teams, I feel pretty comfortable throwing Vazquez against the likes of Boof Bonser all day. Throw in Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson for good measure and fans can smell a repeat three months before the season even begins.