Pre-Season MLB Power Rankings

On Sunday, April 5th the San Francisco Giants will host the Los Angeles Dodgers as the 2009 Major League Baseball season gets under way. Between then and now there will be plenty of rumors, trades, acquisitions and stances taken but it's definitely time to put out the first set of power rankings.

THE BIG 3

1. BOSTON RED SOX - I can't think of any teams that have even come close to matching the fantastic off-season that the Red Sox put together. Boston didn't just manage to add one or two big names to their roster...they added nearly a dozen. In January alone they signed or re-signed Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Mark Kotsay, John Smoltz, Takashi Saito, Brad Penny, Rocco Baldelli, and several other talented young prospects. The starting rotation of Becket, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield and Penny is going to be a tough crew to top on any night. Their batting order is peppered with All-Stars. Some might argue that the Sox have gone the way of the Yankees, signing big name veterans instead of building a solid core of youth, but just remember that until last year the Yanks were still making postseason appearances on a regular basis. These guys will be playing ball in October.

2. LOS ANGELES ANGELS - The only team to hit triple-digits in wins last year should have no trouble competing in a weakening American League in 2009. The outfield is looking especially potent with the addition of Bobby Abreu, and older player who still has some spunk left in his bat. If he can stay healthy he'll join Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter to form a solid core for the team. Pitching will be the question mark - Ervin Santana will need to repeat his stellar performance from last year and they'll have to get 10 to 15 wins each from John Lackey and Jered Weaver to put distance between themselves and their division rivals. One name to watch - Jang Pil-Joong, who may become their closer. He's got a mysterious past but reports from Korea are looking good.

3. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - The Fightin' Phils took advantage of yet another collapse by the New York Mets to win the NL East and a World Series crown. Ryan Howard hit for power and Chase Utley hit for average while their teammates came through with clutch performances all year long. Jamie Moyer, their ageless wonder, won 16 games and posted an ERA of 3.71. The Phillies have been busy trying to ensure that their roster doesn't get turned upside down by re-signing players like Jayson Werth and Howard to multi-year deals. The key to their success will be a continuation of their clutch play, getting the hits and strikes when they really count, and if they do that they will be able to push into October.

THE NEXT 7

4. LOS ANGELES DODGERS - I wouldn't bet against any team managed by Joe Torre. Ditching Andruw Jones was a move in the right direction. If Manny comes back they could definitely be back in the NLCS.

5. CHICAGO CUBS - Fans in Chicago are at their boiling point. More power in the lineup is needed and a healthy Soriano is the answer. Lots of pitching transactions are setting them up for another big year.

6. NEW YORK YANKEES - How do you think folks up in the Bronx are feeling? Your team missed the playoffs, your star slugger got busted for doping, your ex-manager took his team to the NLCS...it goes on and on. Yet somehow, the Yanks are still a threat in the American League. Tampa Bay isn't going to be surprising anyone this year so that leaves plenty of room for New York to move up in the standings.

7. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS - Their potent offense will be back in 2009, so it's up to the pitchers to make the difference. Having Isringhausen back from injury is huge. Adam Wainwright should provide some spark in the starting rotation.

8. NEW YORK METS - Of course they'll be dangerous. Their playoff-worthiness depends on how well they do late in the season. I don't see three epic collapses in a row happening. Getting John Maine back in the rotation and adding Livan Hernandez will add a dozen more wins to their record.

9. TORONTO BLUE JAYS - The "other" team in the AL East won 86 games last year and could replace Tampa Bay as the "Cinderella" squad this year. Burnett and Halladay can produce 35+ wins again and B.J. Ryan will get 60+ save opportunities, so the season will hang on how much power the offense can produce...their team leader in '08 was Vernon Davis with 20 round-trippers.

10. MINNESOTA TWINS - Francisco Liriano will single-handedly lead this team to an AL Central title. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will hit 20+ homers each and Minnesota will win 93-95 games.

THE REST

11. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
12. OAKLAND ATHLETICS
13. CLEVELAND INDIANS
14. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
15. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
16. SEATTLE MARINERS
17. SAN DIEGO PADRES
18. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
19. DETROIT TIGERS
20. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
21. ATLANTA BRAVES
22. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
23. HOUSTON ASTROS
24. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
25. TEXAS RANGERS
26. CINCINNATI REDS
27. COLORADO ROCKIES
28. FLORIDA MARLINS
29. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
30. PITTSBURGH PIRATES