MLB Power Rankings: 10 teams most desperate to win the 2023 World Series
By Tim Boyle
4. MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
The Brewers are feeling the heat. So are the San Diego Padres. They swung big in free agency several years ago when they signed Manny Machado. They made possibly an even longer-lasting addition when they traded for Juan Soto last summer. It did help get them to the NLCS. They needed to go further.
The Padres definitely have enough to compete beyond only 2023. It will take an extension with Soto to ensure it. The Padres were a team that assembled one of baseball’s best starting pitching staffs in the game. Several guys didn’t quite perform well enough which is one of the reasons why they were ultimately eliminated.
In such a tough division, the Padres need to capitalize on their strength as soon as possible. They showed they can defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Assuming the San Francisco Giants are back in the picture again in 2023, the best chance may have already zoomed by.
3. MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
Losing in the World Series is one thing. Doing it when several of your best players may soon be on their way out is another. This is the case for the Philadelphia Phillies. Time is ticking on a rotation with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. Bryce Harper can still crush baseballs. Rather than pay him for years to finish in third or fourth place, the Phillies need to go one step further and win the whole thing in 2023.
There may be a brief transitional phase in Philadelphia as soon as 2024. It will be hard to build on the fly. For every Andrew Painter they have coming up are three more players who will struggles.
The Phillies do have a bright future. They also risk taking two steps back after the 2023 season. Their World Series appearance in 2022 should motivate the front office to take big leaps for next year’s roster.