MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers leaving little doubt, Giants aren’t so big
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
What has happened here? The Chicago Cubs are rebuilding but they’re doing it all wrong. When you rebuild, you need to tear it all down. Take a sledgehammer to your roster. Leave your team with nothing at all. While the Cubs do have very little, they spent a lot of unnecessary money on parts that are getting wasted.
The Cubs could be in for some massive selling this summer with Willson Contreras and David Robertson guaranteed to be on the move. They’ll still be left with a couple of players including offseason additions like Seiya Suzuki and Marcus Stroman. Those two and more will probably be around next year as the Cubs, for the sake of Chicago, do a little more to improve their roster than putting a Band-Aid on it.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are out of their cage. Riley Greene hasn’t taken the world by storm but just being on the roster seems to have lit a bit of excitement in the Motor City.
The Tigers have a long way to go to make the 2022 season matter in the standings. If there is anything positive for them to cling to, it’s the fact that they haven’t completely fallen apart. They possess one of the strongest bullpens in the league. It won’t be enough to get them beyond a third-place finish in the division at the absolute best.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies caught “a case of the Cubs” in the offseason and signed Kris Bryant. After a lengthy stint on the IL, he returned recently and finally hit his first home run of the season. He has added a couple more since.
The Rockies are doing their Rockies thing and hitting regularly, not pitching well, and preparing for what could be an interesting trade deadline. They have a lot of candidates to move but with this front office’s recent history, it feels like they might buy in too strongly that they should keep pieces together. They shouldn’t. Take advantage of what Chad Kuhl and Daniel Bard have done for you. Get some younger arms.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
This season began with the Arizona Diamondbacks pitching well and not hitting much. Balance has been restored. It hasn’t done them much good in the standings. As they’ve hit better, the pitching hasn’t been quite as strong. Far from .500, this year’s team will not be celebrating with a parade at the conclusion of 2022.
The Diamondbacks should still play a big role in who ultimately does win a championship. With a variety of pieces to trade away over the next few weeks, someone on the current roster could get himself a ring. They have outfield depth and some pitching to think about moving. A Diamondback snake knows when to strike. This Arizona club needs to do the same.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
This is a story you’re never going to believe. A team has two of the most popular players in the league and two of the best of their generations. Where are they in the standings? They’re nowhere near the top. This is the unfortunate situation for the Los Angeles Angels.
It’s such a familiar story for this club. The Angels have had a ton go wrong for them. The morale died during the losing streak. Even with Shohei Ohtani making another MVP case for himself, the club cannot seem to find wins.