Where each team ranks following the Winter Meetings in this week’s MLB Power Rankings.
This week’s MLB Power Rankings will take a look at the last week or so for all 30 teams. Gathered together for the Winter Meetings, it was a chance for more action in the hot stove.
Some teams made splashes. Some put their feet in the water. Others made the excuse that they didn’t have a swimsuit and remained silent.
Plenty of clubs hopped over their opponents while some fell behind. How does each MLB team measure up following the Winter Meetings?
30) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics
There will come a day when the Oakland Athletics change their logo to a white flag. The team is as non-competitive as it gets. Still in the hunt to trade Sean Murphy, we can only question if finally dealing away their desirable young catcher is a win for them in the MLB Power Rankings or a loss. We’ll have to wait to see what they get back.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Washington Nationals
The National League version of the Athletics, the Washington Nationals are about just as ready to lose 100 games. The Nationals at least seem to have some direction. They’re waiting out the end of long contracts to Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg. Meanwhile, the rest of the team will be built around young players and maybe a piece they look to trade at the deadline.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
There is hope for the Cincinnati Reds to be better in 2022. Things couldn’t be much worse so it’s a matter of perspective. The Reds won’t be buying this offseason. With few pieces left to trade since they sent Luis Castillo westward, they are serious challengers for the worst record in baseball next season.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Kansas City Royals
Another team not looking to do much more than show up, the Kansas City Royals aren’t close to winning again. The only free agent they lost was Zack Greinke which isn’t a major blow to their success. No logical move at the Winter Meetings could have made them much better. They’re a team waiting out to see if Bobby Witt Jr. is a future star. Keep your fingers crossed, Kansas City fans.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have actually added big leaguers to their roster this offseason. Additions of Jin-Man Choi and Carlos Santana give the offense a boost. The future of outfielder Bryan Reynolds is up in the air ever since he requested a trade from Pittsburgh. Does he not realize how beautiful a ballpark they have? He probably is fed up with losing and knows how popular he is on the trade market right now. Let’s see if someone can pry him away from the Pirates and make their own leap up the MLB Power Rankings.
25) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
Not much seems to be going on with the Colorado Rockies. While certainly a destination for players on “pillow contracts” looking to increase their free agent stock for next year, they have yet to pull the trigger on anything major. It’s probably going to be another tough watch. This is a ball club that could end up as a major trade deadline seller.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers were semi-aggressive last winter and it came back to bite them hard. Javier Baez is on a contract they wish they could erase from the history books. Their promising young players might be able to make up for it. The offense has to figure it out in 2023. They really should be looking to buy at least one bat. What’s Joey Gallo up to?
23) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
How far can the Miami Marlins starting pitching staff carry them? Reigning National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is one piece on a ball club in need of some pop from the plate. Pablo Lopez remains a top trade candidate this offseason. Winning that deal can help push the Marlins further up the MLB Power Rankings. Until then, they must prove themselves worthy of anything better than this.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
Losing Carlos Correa is a huge blow to the Minnesota Twins. They were already in rough shape after blowing the American League Central and failing to make the playoffs entirely last year. Because they did spend on Correa last offseason, this is a club that could end up making a similar addition to replace him.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
Believe in the Arizona Diamondbacks! Their young kids arrived in the latter part of the 2022 season. Zac Gallen is probably going to win a Cy Young while someone else will take Rookie of the Year. The Diamondbacks should look to add at least one significant piece to the roster this offseason. They certainly can use him.
20) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
Missing out on Aaron Judge is a huge blow to the San Francisco Giants. Their starting lineup is underwhelming from top to bottom. They needed him badly. There is no player they can get that could possibly have as much of an impact on the team as him. The Giants need to pivot fast. Get on the phone with everyone.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels actually look pretty good. To their credit, this was the case until their summer losing streak got Joe Maddon fired and the wheels came completely off. The Angels are a much more complete ball club right now with additions like Gio Urshela, Hunter Renfroe, and Tyler Anderson. None are superstars. The Angels already have two of the best with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. They are in a challenging division, but early activity before the Winter Meetings have them a bit higher in the MLB Power Rankings than where they finished the season.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are such a strange team. They let Willson Contreras walk away and replace Yadier Molina on their biggest rival’s roster. They have added pieces, though. Jameson Taillon is a nice addition to the rotation and Cody Bellinger could turn into an absolute steal for them. Things are looking up for the Cubs. Even if they don’t snag a star shortstop in free agency, look for them to add in other areas. This club could still use a first baseman.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
Sitting silently just down the road from the Cubs are the Chicago White Sox. They’ve lost Jose Abreu in free agency and have brought in Mike Clevinger to deepen the rotation. Poor health was a major reason why they missed the 2022 postseason, but they can’t get caught up in thinking they have the division locked. There are several areas they can improve. There are just as many they must get better at. We can’t wait around forever for Eloy Jimenez or Luis Robert to become an MVP-caliber player.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox
Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida is coming to the Boston Red Sox. Over at shortstop, we still don’t know exactly what they will do. Boston lost a lot of players in free agency this offseason and are trying to pick up the pieces, especially with Xander Bogaerts officially gone. Signing Kenley Jansen suggests they’re ready to compete in 2023. Their 2022 performance says they have a long way to go.
15) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers went out and did exactly what they said they would. Martin Perez accepted the qualifying offer back in November. Over the last week, they’ve signed Jacob deGrom and Andrew Heaney. The rotation is suddenly looking a lot better. The Rangers have work to do in other departments, but their greatest need has been filled before Hanukah is over.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
Putting the Milwaukee Brewers this high in the MLB Power Rankings is giving them the benefit of the doubt. They did add Jesse Winker in the Kolten Wong trade. This is a club that came close to making the postseason last year. They still have Corbin Burnes and other solid pieces. They do seem to be falling fast in the MLB Power Rankings. Do they want to compete or do they just want to make the fans think they’re trying to? The latter seems more correct after the Winter Meetings.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a tough team to buy into as a legitimate World Series threat. They’re definitely good. They are a smart baseball club that works on a budget. The Zach Eflin addition should give them an arm they can hope to develop further. However, the bats remain underwhelming and a problem area for this team. Where will they find their bargain trade chip to boost the offense?
12) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles nudge ahead of the Rays not so much because of what they’ve done this offseason but because it’s safe to believe they have momentum on their side. The Orioles are what a team like the Diamondbacks will hope to grow into this coming year. Baltimore does need more pitching and the addition of a top free agent shortstop could do wonders for them. Flip them with the Rays if you must. The two clubs are very different yet very close.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are going to look a lot different this season. Teoscar Hernandez is ready to tear the cover off the ball for them. Kolten Wong will look to have an impact in a different way as their starting second basemen. We all know how much Jerry Dipoto loves to have an active offseason. They’ve laid out some groundwork for whatever they have planned.
10) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians
The Josh Bell addition to the Cleveland Guardians roster is a huge help for Jose Ramirez. The Guardians never did quite have enough depth last season to be a believable contender. Even so, they won the American League Central and came a win away from making it to the ALCS. It’s nice to see them spending some money in free agency.
9) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
On track to becoming the biggest losers at the MLB Winter Meetings, the San Diego Padres decided to catch everyone off guard and sign Xander Bogaerts. As the shot clock was winding down, they made up for missing out on Trea Turner and Aaron Judge. San Diego is now on track to do some more damage next season following this addition.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have yet to pounce on any major addition. They appear eager to add a left-handed bat to the outfield. Nobody has been convinced yet to sign. This remains a strong team with some terrific bats and some very good arms. They’ll end up with some sweet additions and climb up the MLB Power Rankings before we get to Opening Day.
7) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets
A sad ending to the 2022 New York Mets season and a whole lot of openings due to free agency have this ball club sliding down the MLB Power Rankings at the moment. Fortunately, they did sign Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana to help the rotation. They do need bats, though. This is a club that was one-hit in their last game. Add one impact bat and they’re easily a top five club.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
The defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies didn’t waste any time at the Winter Meetings. The addition of Trea Turner is huge. Bringing in Taijuan Walker gives them the arm they were missing in the postseason. Philadelphia probably isn’t done adding yet either. The bullpen could use some work and another starting pitcher should be on the table.
5) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves
If you’re tempted to slide the Atlanta Braves down the MLB Power Rankings because of inactivity, your feelings are justified. They haven’t done much but that could be because they don’t really need to. Atlanta is well-positioned already to have an almost complete roster. Bringing back Dansby Swanson is a possibility and so is looking for an upgrade somewhere else in the lineup. It wouldn’t be a shock if all the Braves do is add depth. Even then, they’re a challenger for the pennant.
4) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
It was a great move by the St. Louis Cardinals to ruin the winter for Cubs fans by signing Willson Contreras away. He made the most sense for them behind the plate. Now they have him and suddenly the team looks a lot more dangerous. They have some of the best young talent in the sport and two of the top three MVP finishers including the winner, Paul Goldschmidt. Expect them to do much more than fall in the Wild Card round next year.
3) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers
This offseason hasn’t been a particularly awesome one for the Los Angeles Dodgers just yet. Nonetheless, how can the team with the best record in 2022 fall too hard? They have some amazing players returning. The quieter they are, the more afraid the rest of the league should be. Something major is brewing with this team.
2) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees
It cannot be overstated how important it was for the New York Yankees to re-sign Aaron Judge. Now that they did, the focus should turn to improvements. This means change. The Yankees look very much like they did at the end of last season with Judge and Anthony Rizzo already back. An upgrade to the rotation and left field are both necessary. They have pieces to trade. Make it happen.
1) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros
The defending champion Houston Astros are number one in the MLB Power Rankings and for good reason. Although Justin Verlander is gone, they have a complete rotation and enough bats to make up for any trouble they get into. The Jose Abreu signing was a beautiful thing for them. Houston is a destination ball club. Prepare for them to stealthily sign at least one more top free agent before the title defense officially begins. To be the best, you have to beat the best. Nobody could beat the Astros last year.