MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Yankees succeeding while Cubs, Red Sox conceding
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
There is way too much in common between the Chicago Cubs and Red Sox to get into it all. Both franchises had long curses snapped in the last 20 years. Contenders in recent seasons as well, both are major market clubs that took an odd approach to the offseason.
For the Cubs, they bought but not nearly enough or possibly in the right ways. Their team looks like the start of a good product. Sadly, it’s the end result. All Cubs fans can hope for this summer is a big selloff to revitalize the farm aka a repeat of what happened in July of 2021.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
Maybe the Baltimore Orioles will not be as bad as everyone typically believes they will be. Their starting lineup isn’t so bad. If you add a star or two, they might be a .500 club.
It’s too late to go out and start spending money. The Orioles are what they are and that’s a whipping boy for the American League and many National League clubs they may encounter. Although they may have a weaker roster than some of the teams they rank ahead of, their record rewards them with a higher placement on this week’s MLB Power Rankings. They’ll be lucky to ever reach the teens.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics
This Oakland Athletics team might actually be good if they didn’t sell off everything they could during the offseason. Alas, this is the tale of so many recent Oakland baseball clubs. They don’t hold onto talent and try to go as far as they can with draft picks and minor league trade additions.
The Athletics have yet to completely fall apart—something we should all have on our minds as they play more games. Other teams will get better midseason while teams like Oakland will be left in the dust. As soon as Frankie Montas and a few others are traded, the slide closer to the bottom begins. For now, whatever remaining fans are left cheering for this club should enjoy every win they can get.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates
Yet another team probably worse than where they rank, the best the Pittsburgh Pirates can hope for is to be the best of the bad teams in the National League Central. It’s a clear two-team race in the division with the Pirates giving the most trouble to the teams ahead of them.
The Pirates are a team with a below-average pitching staff and starting lineup. There are no secrets as to why they are a below-average baseball team. They don’t have much to really enjoy other than what Ke’Bryan Hayes may become.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
If there’s a bad team out there capable of turning things around, it could be the Texas Rangers. They haven’t gotten nearly the amount of run production out of their lineup as they were banking. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager continue to struggle. No one else has made up for their shortcomings.
Texas has gotten a solid performance out of their bullpen thus far which could give them a few blocks to build off for next year. They should refrain from selling too much at the trade deadline and maybe even think about stealing a player still under control for next year. This team should be going places eventually. It’s just not in 2022 when it will happen.