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MLB Power Rankings: Yankees making run at Astros

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 14, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) celebrates with Aaron Judge (99) and Starlin Castro (14) after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) celebrates with Aaron Judge (99) and Starlin Castro (14) after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
20

Kansas City Royals 30-32

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 22

The Royals made two big bets on Alex Gordon and Ian Kennedy last winter. Gordon took home $72 million over four years, while Kennedy bagged himself $70 million over five years. Let’s check in on how well those investments have played out for the Royals.

After a solid first season in KC, Kennedy is 0-6 to start the year with a 5.40 ERA. He is allowing more walks and home runs than a year ago while striking out fewer hitters. Gordon is trending in the direction of being an all-time disaster. In the first two years of his big contract, the left fielder is batting .211 with no power and limited defensive value.

This is how mid-market teams play themselves out of their championship window. They make big bets on second-tier free agents to attempt to milk the final years of their more valuable young stars.

19

Detroit Tigers 30-34

Last week: 1-5
Last rank: 16

Justin Upton may be playing himself into the territory where he could at least consider opting out of his contract at the end of the season. Upton has 13 home runs and an OPS over .850. He may have to string together a scorching hot second half to make the opt-out a safe bet.

Teams typically hate to see star players opt out of their contracts and look for more money on the open market, but the Tigers should be secretly hoping Upton plays well enough to bet on himself this winter. Now is a good time for Detroit to go into a full-scale rebuild. Upton is not a player to center that rebuild on, and his six-year contract will only look worse on the back end.

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