American League power rankings
Spring Training is finally upon us after many months of dreaming about baseball. The San Francisco Giants enter the 2015 campaign as defending champs while 29 other teams chance after them, hoping to make this year one to remember.
In this space, we are going to focus on the American League. Before the madness begins, let’s take some stock in where each team is with some power rankings. Next to each team’s name will be their projected over/under win total, courtesy of BOVADA.
15. Minnesota Twins (71.5)
It’s hard to get excited about a team with a first-year manager and a starting rotation that features Kyle Gibson, Ricky Nolasco and Mike Pelfrey. Offensively, the lineup is downright depressing.
14. Tampa Bay Rays (78.5)
Tampa Bay has been a contender for years, but with the exodus of Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman, the dark ages are back. The Rays simply don’t have the talent to compete.
13. Houston Astros (74.5)
This is a team on the rise, but in the wrong division. Houston will hit plenty of homers after acquiring Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus, but the pitching depth still lacks.
12. New York Yankees (81.5)
The roster looks great on paper until you realize the age of this team. Injuries will ravage this club, which is not deep to begin with. General manager Brian Cashman needs to begin an overhaul.
11. Texas Rangers (77.5)
Texas is a talented team but is short on arms. Also, there are a litany of players trying to bounce back from serious injuries. It is tough to see the Rangers being a threat come September.
10. Kansas City Royals (80.5)
Kansas City had a terrible offseason. The Royals allowed Nori Aoki, Billy Butler and James Shields to walk and only added Alex Rios. Manager Ned Yost will be hard-pressed to bring this team to the playoffs.
9. Baltimore Orioles (82.5)
Baltimore is another team that had a brutal few months. The Orioles watched Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz leave while adding nobody of note. The starting rotation is a major question mark.
8. Chicago White Sox (81.5)
I love what Chicago did by bringing in Jeff Samardzija to pair with Chris Sale. The pitching is dynamic for the Sox, and Jose Abreu is a great anchor for the lineup. Sleeper team alert.
7. Cleveland Indians (84.5)
Cleveland has a great manager and one of the deepest lineups in the game. The Indians will have to get some development out of their pitching behind Corey Kluber, though. Carlos Carrasco must step up.
6. Toronto Blue Jays (82.5)
Toronto is interesting but over-hyped. The Blue Jays have a potential ace in Marcus Stroman, but the rest of the rotation is terrible. Josh Donaldson was a great get, but can the pieces around him stay healthy?
5. Oakland A’s (81.5)
This is the toughest team to predict in all of baseball. So why projected for a wild-card spot? Because Bob Melvin and Billy Beane know how to win, the rotation is very nice and the bullpen is absolutely loaded.
4. Boston Red Sox (85.5)
Boston’s lineup should be excellent with the additions of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. The starting rotation is fairly suspect but the AL East doesn’t have a better one. Look for the Red Sox to bounce back.
3. Detroit Tigers (84.5)
The Tigers are going to mash with Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes in the heart of the order. The rotation is solid as well. The massive question is the bullpen, which will be a Achilles heel.
2. Los Angeles Angels (88.5)
The Angels are a stacked team both in the bullpen and the lineup. Mike Trout is the game’s best player and Huston Street stabilizes things at the end of games. Concerns would include the rotation after Jered Weaver and if Albert Pujols can have another healthy year.
1. Seattle Mariners (86.5)
Seattle has to prove itself, but the roster is there. The Mariners don’t have any glaring weaknesses beyond the bottom third of their lineup. Adding Nelson Cruz and Seth Smith adds depth to the lineup, and the rotation is loaded. Seattle is a really nice squad.
