MLB Power Rankings Opening Day
5 April 2009
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Phillies: The World Series Champ remains the Team to Beat in 2009. With 2 MVPs, an excellent pitching staff, and an ever improving outfield, the Phils don’t really have too much to worry about besides staying healthy; if Chase Utley comes back and plays like he did for the pre-injury half of last year, look out. Philadelphia has two MVPs in the lineup, and neither one is the team’s best player. Chase Utley was on pace to have a year for the ages before being nagged by a hip problem, and if he can follow those early results with a yearlong effort, the Phillies could cruise into October. Don’t overlook their pitching staff either. Thanks to Cole Hamels, Brad Lidge, and the rest, their 3.88 team ERA was good for 6th best in the majors.
Yankees: Yes, these guys are loaded. Their superhero third-baseman may be out for a while but their rotation looks like a pitching All-Star team (3 of the 5 starters have played in All-Star games, none of them have career ERA’s higher than 3.9), and they picked up Tex to fill the hole of mediocrity at first.
Cubs: Zambrano, Harden, Marmol, Gregg: if Soto can rack up the RBIs knocking in leadoff monster Alfonso Soriano, have fun trying to catch up with these guys on the mound. Big Z has a lot of doubters this year but he will continue to produce.
Red Sox: Ortiz had a down year last year and the Sox disappointed in the playoffs, but second-baseman Dustin Pedroia pulled in an MVP last year and, like the other top 4 teams, the Sox still have All-Star pitching. For whatever reason, Daisuke was jilted by the voters last season, notching 18 wins to only 3 losses and posting a terrific ERA. He will continue his dominance, and hopefully for the Sox, Kevin Youkilis, goofy batting stance and all, can take on the role as Boston’s biggest slugger.
Rays: They are AL Champs with a solid young core, but Upton’s durability and his progression (whether or not he will become the game’s next big-time player) will be a major factor in their success. Their success last year apparently was no fluke, but it didn’t appear quite warranted with the players in that lineup, either.
Mets: The Mets are an anomaly. They have a terrific lineup and added some great pitching to fill out the squad for the new year. K-Rod will give the Mets something to depend on when they are trying to close out tight games. But closing out tight games hasn’t been the Mets’ problem—closing out tight division races has been their constant struggle, and battling with the Phils has left them bruised in September and couch-ridden in October for the last two years. They have some scary potential (seriously, you can make Hall-of-Fame or future Hall-of-Fame-discussion cases for batters 1-4 in their lineup… and Reyes and Wright will both be only 26 years old come midsummer), but for whatever reason, they can’t all perform together to win games. Last year, only one player from the Mets current depth chart made the All-Star game. If the Mets can live up to the team that everyone thinks they should be, they will challenge the Phils for National League supremacy. However, until they can prove that they really are that team, they remain outside the top 5.
Dodgers: Manny has been talked about enough by the sports media, so I don’t think I need to talk about why the Dodgers are still going to be a good team. I always wonder when the ageless wonder will realize that he is 36, but there are other good hitters in the lineup as well. James Loney and Matt Kemp are young guys who have impressed so far in their careers should only continue to improve.
Angels: They squeeze into the top 10, but not on much—they have a lot to prove this year. Brian Fuentes has big shoes to fill but the 3-time All-Star should bring plenty of his own firepower and he will replace K-Rod without a hitch. Seriously. With Figgins, Guerrero and Abreu at the plate, the other LA team should still make noise with the sticks—but like we said, the Angels still have to prove themselves. Guerrero and Abreu are on the wrong side of 33, and what’s this we hear about Abreu actually playing in the field?! It’s the AL; that’s what the DH spot is for!
Twins: Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer spell trouble for AL Central right fielders. Denard Span hit .294 in his limited time last year. A young team with a high ceiling, the Twins also have the benefit of an All-Star closer and a pitching staff on the rise.
Indians: Grady Sizemore is a great player, and Cliff Lee is a great pitcher. There isn’t too much more to say about the Indians. Well, the rest of their lineup is pretty good too—Peralta, DeRosa, Choo, and Martinez bring solid hitting and none of them hit below .275 last season.
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