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MLB Power Rankings: The Yankees are for real

By Joshua Sadlock

May 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Where will the red-hot New York Yankees rank in this week’s MLB Power Rankings?

The MLB Power Rankings have taken an unexpected turn in the second month of the season. The top-five of the list now includes the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Colorado Rockies. No one would have expected these three to supplant the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians at the start of the year, but here we are.

The Cubs and Indians continue to scuffle as they deal with their World Series hangovers. Inconsistent starting pitching has been the culprit for both. How far have they fallen and where do the rest of the 30 MLB teams slot in? Read on for the weekly Power Rankings.

May 10, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) celebrates with San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Derek Law (64) in front of New York Mets pinch runner Matt Reynolds (15) after a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) celebrates with San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Derek Law (64) in front of New York Mets pinch runner Matt Reynolds (15) after a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
30

San Francisco Giants 12-23

Last week: 1-5
Last rank: 28

The Giants were able to salvage a winless week with a furious rally in the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon. Even so, they nearly blew a 6-3 lead. Closer Mark Melancon is on the DL with a pronator strain, but should be back soon enough. It won’t matter much when he does make it back. The Giants are not going anywhere in the standings.

San Francisco has the worst record in the league, and they come by it honestly. The moves the front office made to focus solely on the starting rotation and back end of the bullpen left major needs in the outfield unaddressed. Madison Bumgarner may want to take the whole year off instead of rushing his rehab to come back for a team buried in last place.

May 6, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch for the final out against the Cleveland Indians in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch for the final out against the Cleveland Indians in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
29

Kansas City Royals 12-21

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 30

As a smaller market team, the Royals have to be absolutely perfect when it comes to personnel decisions. Several signings proved to play big parts in their run to the World Series in 2014 and 2015. Players like Kendrys Morales, Ben Zobrist and Ryan Madson were instrumental in making this team a contender. Recently, things haven’t played out so well for the Royals on the contract front.

Alex Gordon is in the second year of a $72-million deal and has batted .210/.306/.346 on the deal so far. He has an OPS of .493 this season and is no longer a plus-defender in left field. The Royals cannot afford to spend that much money on a player with no value at the plate or in the field, and the decision to re-sign an aging Gordon could haunt them for years.

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