Post by Red Sox GM (Ty) on Aug 15, 2014 14:01:40 GMT -5
Alright, gentlemen, you’ve waited long enough. A lot has changed since Opening Day (chinmusicupin.proboards.com/thread/8068/2014-opening-week-power-rankings) , and after a MLB Trade Deadline for the ages, our own deadline is at hand. Who among us should be buying and selling? The answers are all below in a typically flawless offering. Best of luck to all as we head for the home stretch.
30. (30) Los Angeles Dodgers
Nick and his Dodgers ought to be comfortable in the basement by now. Five players on the current roster have accumulated an AB or IP this year. They have a grand total of 24 pitching appearances. He knew what he was in for, and he’s fully committed to the rebuild. While I think he could be doing more to leverage his financial
might, his fate will ultimately be determined by prospect attrition.
29. (29) Cincinnati Reds
Like the Blue Jays and Mariners before them, the Reds understand the task at hand and have fast-tracked their rebuild by trading cap space for assets. They are committed to developing their pitching staff, with an astonishing 36 arms currently in the system. If they continue on this pace, it’ll still be a lengthy and frustrating process, but they’ll be in much better shape by this time next year.
28. (26) Texas Rangers
Jared has had a tough go of it this year. He knew he was in for a rebuild, as his competition in the West improved substantially over the past few seasons, but he chose the wrong year to commit to Yankee starters. He’s cornered the market on Bomber’s TJ candidates. To be clear, Tanaka has been superb, but he’s also potentially looking at losing a year or more to Dr. Andrews. For many teams, this would be a monster setback, but the silver lining is that he may now cost less with a restricted tag, and the Rangers were probably punting next season anyway. Nova on the other hand, is problematic, as he secured a sizable multi-year deal in the offseason, and he probably won’t be worth his paycheck for a while. The Rangers are in capable hands, but they’ve got a long road to hoe.
27. (28) San Francisco Giants
I’m getting a bit sentimental thinking that this is the last year of the perennially enticing annual Verlander fire sale. Adkins missed his window on getting anything of value for the Tiges’ former ace, but like the Rangers with Tanaka, Verlander’s underwhelming performance this year should drive his price down in restricted free agency. If he’s able to regain even a shred of his prior dominance, we could have a new contract’s worth of opportunities to keep this tradition alive. The Giants have some enticing young talent, but they need to take some risks, and move the assets that aren’t in their long-term plans if they’re going to become a contender any time soon.
26. (22) Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils began the season with aspirations of contention, but the cold reality is that this team needs to be blown up. There are assets that a contender should pay for, (Beckett, Cruz, Dickey) but there’s got to be a commitment to the process if they are to avoid a protracted bout of mediocrity. Swo is in year 2 of a serious rebuild, but the Nationals and Mets are seemingly always in the hunt, so a roster makeover is a must.
25. (23) Houston Astros
The Stros rank ahead of some other teams in this tier because they have some very high upside assets. While Zimmerman and Votto are probably not movable this year, in the near future, should they recover from injury and return to form, they could provide solid value on the trade market. They also own my favorite prospect- Oscar Taveras- and some other promising youngsters. There’s not a ton for John to do in the short-term, except maybe try to extract value from Colby Rasmus, but this is a team on the rise, so long as their big money players return to form.
24. (19) Atlanta Braves
This slippage in the rankings marks progress for Swo’s Braves who have fully embraced the rebuilding process. With smart use of capital, and a concerted effort to convert short-term pieces to long-term assets, Swo has to be pretty pleased with his progress. They aren’t likely to secure a higher draft position than 7th, but they’re loaded for bear with prospects and draft picks galore. With a little luck, Swo is about 2 years away from becoming the Jays of the NL.
23. (16) Arizona Diamondbacks
Tyler saw the writing on the wall pretty early this year and has been very active in the trade market to acquire cheap, high-end talent. After fleecing my Red Sox, the farm system looks to be in considerably better shape. Between Stephenson, Wil Myers, and the incomparable Billy Burns, the DBacks have a formidable triumvirate around which to build a power house. The Rockies and Padres both have considerably better squads right now, but I believe both teams are due some regression in the coming years. I’d be surprised if Tyler doesn’t make a strong run at the division in 2 or 3 yrs.
22. (24) Oakland Athletics
Bird’s A’s are moving up the Power Rankings, but I think that has more to do with a few teams tearing it down, rather than actual improvement in Oakland. That said, the Athletics are well constructed to be sellers at the deadline if they so choose. A few former Yankees (Hughes and Chamberlain) have been pleasant surprises and should hold some value on the trade market, as should Doolittle and Adam Lind and his favorable contract. Unfortunately, Wacha’s health has been a disappointment, but he remains a very attractive piece around which to build.
21. (27) Chicago White Sox
Graham’s gamble on Abreu has so far paid off handsomely, and fellow real-life White Sock Conor Gillaspie has been a pleasant surprise. The rotation boasts excellent talent, which would undoubtedly be useful to a contender so long as cap issues can be worked out. This is a team that stands to gain a ton of ground through trade activity, so a more present GM would behoove the franchise greatly.
20. (11) Baltimore Orioles
It’s been a tough year in Baltimore. Despite bounce-back efforts from Starlin Castro and Adam LaRoche, and banner years from Suzuki and Brantley, the offense hasn’t been nearly enough to make up for an acute pitching deficiency. There’s plenty of assets, and, as such, plenty of reason for optimism, but the East is likely to remain competitive for a while. They’ll need to add some arms this offseason, and hope to catch lightning in a bottle again offensively if they’re going to sniff the playoffs next year.
19. (10) St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards are another team I’m surprised to see slide down the rankings this far, but it’s been a pretty underwhelming year across the board. Gyorko has been an unmitigated disaster, and, in relative terms, so has Miggy. The pitching has been surprisingly effective, but not nearly effective enough to make up for the offense. It’s likely that this team will be much better next year, simply due to mean reversion, so there’s no reason for any drastic measures, in my opinion.
18. (25) Detroit Tigers
In less than a year under the Dingo regime, the Tigers have made a concerted effort to acquire cheap, protectable assets for the future- a necessity given that they’ve committed to spending $55M/yr on Kershaw and Mauer. Creating financial flexibility will be an immense challenge, but it seems like the new ownership understands the task at hand.
17. (12) Minnesota Twins
Mike is such a tease. It’s become a time-honored tradition: every offseason, I ascribe massive expectations on the Twins, and every season they’re dashed. Inactivity, lack of depth, and shitty luck have claimed another year of Minnesota’s once-expected dominance. This roster won’t require a lot of attention, but added depth is a must. All-in-all, they’re still in fantastic shape.
16. (17) Pittsburgh Pirates
Considering his debilitating lack of depth and woefully inept offense (Gordon and Norris excepted), it’s a testament to his pitching that he’s this high in the standings. Unfortunately for Larry, the pitching alone wasn’t enough to keep him in the hunt for a winnable Central division crown. There’s no doubt that the Buccos will be back in contention soon enough. Bogaerts will absolutely bounce back, and with a few shrewd FA signings, the playoffs will once again be a very real possibility.
15. (18) Milwaukee Brewers
The Brew Crew have been moderately more attentive lately, which bodes well for the future of this team. They’ve always had plenty of talent, but a lack of depth, and a neglected farm system leave this Brewer’s squad in need of a makeover. This coming offseason will determine whether or not they return to their prior dominance, or languish through a protracted bout of mediocrity. The Central ain’t what it used to be, so it shouldn’t be overly difficult to snag a playoff spot next year with more adequate stewardship.
14. (15) New York Yankees
The Bombers made a solid run that lasted well into the summer, but the past month or so has separated the wheat from the chaff. With a competent ownership group, nearly unlimited financial resources and an already respectable core, the Yankees’ emergence as borderline contenders makes an already stacked AL East that much more competitive.
13. (20) Miami Marlins
The Marlins are good again. The team has always had enough talent to keep them somewhere in the middle of the pack. This year represents a best-case scenario for Lee’s fish. Cueto has pitched out of his mind, Altuve is doing an admirable Craig Biggio impression, even Steve Pearce is hitting like Steve Finley. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough. The Nats and Mets are the class of the division, and this team won’t challenge for a playoff spot any time soon. There’s plenty here to kick start a rebuild, but Lee has to commit to the process if he’s going to field a real contender.
12. (13) Chicago Cubs
As I’m accustomed to doing, I began this entry: ‘There’s always next year, Scott.’ Then I looked at the standings, and to my surprise, the Cubbies are leading the once feared NL Central Division. How times have changed. While I don’t think this team is a true title contender, the playoffs are a crap shoot. They’ll have a tough draw with the Nationals in the first round, assuming current results hold.
11. (9)Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have performed admirably to this point, especially considering how thin their major league roster is. I thought that the Mariners would run away with the division, but it has taken most of our season to achieve substantial separation, and even still, a 17 point lead can erode pretty quickly. John has his team poised to be competitive for the long run, and they’re an unfriendly aging curve for Cano away from multiple division crowns.
10. (6) San Diego Padres
Losing Fielder after a promising offseason trade to Arlington probably doomed this Padres squad, which is a shame considering they only have two more cheap years of Mike Trout. Thereafter, he’s going to get pricey, and it will be considerably more difficult to put a competitive team around him. The Fathers’ need to be aggressive this offseason and make a run at a title while they still have financial flexibility. A healthy Prince would almost certainly make this team a serious contender in a relatively weak NL.
9. (21) Tampa Bay Rays
Bob has quietly made huge improvements to his roster, and in a different division, this team is squarely in the playoff hunt. Unfortunately, he’s only the 3rd best team in his own division, but that could quite easily change come next season. When you have talent, you have options, and Bob could decide to get younger and cheaper, in favor of waiting out an eventual Red Sox decline, or continue to be aggressive and go all out for a playoff spot next year. Toronto is clearly the class of the division, but the Rays are definitely back.
8. (14) New York Mets
Barney’s miracle Mets currently own a 9.5 pt lead over the reigning West division champion Padres. Should that result hold, it would be the barnstormers’ first taste of postseason action. This is without doubt the best assemblage of talent they’ve had, but they appear to lack the depth- specifically in pitching- that has carried them above and beyond expectations in recent years. Even still, they have the talent to make some noise if they can just make it to the dance.
7. (4) Cleveland Indians
The Tribe have had a frustrating season thus far. Out of the gate, they seemed poised to challenge the perennial Central champion Royals for the division. Unfortunately, injuries to Harper, Fernandez, and Hellickson, along with 90 disappointing innings from Matt Cain have delayed any real threat to Black Kevin for another season. Don’t cry for Ryan, however, as this is a team that will be a fixture at the top of these rankings for years to come.
6. (7) Colorado Rockies
This may be Kyle’s best team yet. Proof that his absence, while a detriment to the league (seriously, where the hell are the Avatar Rankings?), prevents him from screwing up a good thing. The reigning West champion Padres are surging, but they’re in a 20+ pt hole. Barring a total collapse, the Rox could be a playoff team again this year. While I think they lack the requisite depth for a title run, stranger things have happened.
5. (3) Seattle Mariners
After a slow start to the season, the M’s are finally where I thought they should be all along, in contention among the league’s elite. The offense is championship caliber on paper, and while the biggest acquisition of the offseason- Cano- is hitting well, his lack of power is disconcerting, if somewhat predictable. Bruce and Longoria have really struggled, and they will need to show up in September if they’re going to get past the Jays. The pitching is solid, but not difference making.
4. (5) Boston Red Sox
I had myself 1 spot lower before mortgaging my future to pick up a closer and a power hitter. After a brutal start to the season, the Sox have risen to familiar territory near the top of the standings. I don’t know if I’ve got what it takes to beat BK, Mike or Jordan over any substantial length of time, but anything can happen in the playoffs. I could still use a starter or two, but things look good for a Wild Card berth and a first round against anyone other than the frightening Jays.
3. (8) Washington Nationals
If Jake Arrieta continues his case for a Cy Young into the fall, I may be underrating the Nats, but injuries and the wild flailings of Chris Davis have hurt their chances. They’re probably the best team in the NL (in a down year for the NL), so I’d count on a deep postseason run, but this team looked better a few months ago. We could be in for a dramatic, Cork/BK World Series. Get your popcorn ready.
2. (2) Kansas City Royals
Kevin has afforded himself the luxury of checking out for a few months and still returning to a serious contender. As usual, his depth is his greatest strength, and, as such, he’s incredibly well prepared for the post season. The Tribe were in control of the division, and it appeared as though BK’s playoff streak may have been in jeopardy, but he has built a commanding 25 pt lead on Cleveland, and yet another division crown seems inevitable.
1. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
I don’t know that we’ve had a wire-to-wire winner in this league, but I believe Jordan and his mighty Jays are on pace to do just that. They’ve cooled off some after a torrid start, but they are far and away the favorites to run away with the regular season crown (and potentially many more to come). The AL is the new NL this year, which means that there won’t be any gimmes in the playoffs, but this is the team to beat.
30. (30) Los Angeles Dodgers
Nick and his Dodgers ought to be comfortable in the basement by now. Five players on the current roster have accumulated an AB or IP this year. They have a grand total of 24 pitching appearances. He knew what he was in for, and he’s fully committed to the rebuild. While I think he could be doing more to leverage his financial
might, his fate will ultimately be determined by prospect attrition.
29. (29) Cincinnati Reds
Like the Blue Jays and Mariners before them, the Reds understand the task at hand and have fast-tracked their rebuild by trading cap space for assets. They are committed to developing their pitching staff, with an astonishing 36 arms currently in the system. If they continue on this pace, it’ll still be a lengthy and frustrating process, but they’ll be in much better shape by this time next year.
28. (26) Texas Rangers
Jared has had a tough go of it this year. He knew he was in for a rebuild, as his competition in the West improved substantially over the past few seasons, but he chose the wrong year to commit to Yankee starters. He’s cornered the market on Bomber’s TJ candidates. To be clear, Tanaka has been superb, but he’s also potentially looking at losing a year or more to Dr. Andrews. For many teams, this would be a monster setback, but the silver lining is that he may now cost less with a restricted tag, and the Rangers were probably punting next season anyway. Nova on the other hand, is problematic, as he secured a sizable multi-year deal in the offseason, and he probably won’t be worth his paycheck for a while. The Rangers are in capable hands, but they’ve got a long road to hoe.
27. (28) San Francisco Giants
I’m getting a bit sentimental thinking that this is the last year of the perennially enticing annual Verlander fire sale. Adkins missed his window on getting anything of value for the Tiges’ former ace, but like the Rangers with Tanaka, Verlander’s underwhelming performance this year should drive his price down in restricted free agency. If he’s able to regain even a shred of his prior dominance, we could have a new contract’s worth of opportunities to keep this tradition alive. The Giants have some enticing young talent, but they need to take some risks, and move the assets that aren’t in their long-term plans if they’re going to become a contender any time soon.
26. (22) Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils began the season with aspirations of contention, but the cold reality is that this team needs to be blown up. There are assets that a contender should pay for, (Beckett, Cruz, Dickey) but there’s got to be a commitment to the process if they are to avoid a protracted bout of mediocrity. Swo is in year 2 of a serious rebuild, but the Nationals and Mets are seemingly always in the hunt, so a roster makeover is a must.
25. (23) Houston Astros
The Stros rank ahead of some other teams in this tier because they have some very high upside assets. While Zimmerman and Votto are probably not movable this year, in the near future, should they recover from injury and return to form, they could provide solid value on the trade market. They also own my favorite prospect- Oscar Taveras- and some other promising youngsters. There’s not a ton for John to do in the short-term, except maybe try to extract value from Colby Rasmus, but this is a team on the rise, so long as their big money players return to form.
24. (19) Atlanta Braves
This slippage in the rankings marks progress for Swo’s Braves who have fully embraced the rebuilding process. With smart use of capital, and a concerted effort to convert short-term pieces to long-term assets, Swo has to be pretty pleased with his progress. They aren’t likely to secure a higher draft position than 7th, but they’re loaded for bear with prospects and draft picks galore. With a little luck, Swo is about 2 years away from becoming the Jays of the NL.
23. (16) Arizona Diamondbacks
Tyler saw the writing on the wall pretty early this year and has been very active in the trade market to acquire cheap, high-end talent. After fleecing my Red Sox, the farm system looks to be in considerably better shape. Between Stephenson, Wil Myers, and the incomparable Billy Burns, the DBacks have a formidable triumvirate around which to build a power house. The Rockies and Padres both have considerably better squads right now, but I believe both teams are due some regression in the coming years. I’d be surprised if Tyler doesn’t make a strong run at the division in 2 or 3 yrs.
22. (24) Oakland Athletics
Bird’s A’s are moving up the Power Rankings, but I think that has more to do with a few teams tearing it down, rather than actual improvement in Oakland. That said, the Athletics are well constructed to be sellers at the deadline if they so choose. A few former Yankees (Hughes and Chamberlain) have been pleasant surprises and should hold some value on the trade market, as should Doolittle and Adam Lind and his favorable contract. Unfortunately, Wacha’s health has been a disappointment, but he remains a very attractive piece around which to build.
21. (27) Chicago White Sox
Graham’s gamble on Abreu has so far paid off handsomely, and fellow real-life White Sock Conor Gillaspie has been a pleasant surprise. The rotation boasts excellent talent, which would undoubtedly be useful to a contender so long as cap issues can be worked out. This is a team that stands to gain a ton of ground through trade activity, so a more present GM would behoove the franchise greatly.
20. (11) Baltimore Orioles
It’s been a tough year in Baltimore. Despite bounce-back efforts from Starlin Castro and Adam LaRoche, and banner years from Suzuki and Brantley, the offense hasn’t been nearly enough to make up for an acute pitching deficiency. There’s plenty of assets, and, as such, plenty of reason for optimism, but the East is likely to remain competitive for a while. They’ll need to add some arms this offseason, and hope to catch lightning in a bottle again offensively if they’re going to sniff the playoffs next year.
19. (10) St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards are another team I’m surprised to see slide down the rankings this far, but it’s been a pretty underwhelming year across the board. Gyorko has been an unmitigated disaster, and, in relative terms, so has Miggy. The pitching has been surprisingly effective, but not nearly effective enough to make up for the offense. It’s likely that this team will be much better next year, simply due to mean reversion, so there’s no reason for any drastic measures, in my opinion.
18. (25) Detroit Tigers
In less than a year under the Dingo regime, the Tigers have made a concerted effort to acquire cheap, protectable assets for the future- a necessity given that they’ve committed to spending $55M/yr on Kershaw and Mauer. Creating financial flexibility will be an immense challenge, but it seems like the new ownership understands the task at hand.
17. (12) Minnesota Twins
Mike is such a tease. It’s become a time-honored tradition: every offseason, I ascribe massive expectations on the Twins, and every season they’re dashed. Inactivity, lack of depth, and shitty luck have claimed another year of Minnesota’s once-expected dominance. This roster won’t require a lot of attention, but added depth is a must. All-in-all, they’re still in fantastic shape.
16. (17) Pittsburgh Pirates
Considering his debilitating lack of depth and woefully inept offense (Gordon and Norris excepted), it’s a testament to his pitching that he’s this high in the standings. Unfortunately for Larry, the pitching alone wasn’t enough to keep him in the hunt for a winnable Central division crown. There’s no doubt that the Buccos will be back in contention soon enough. Bogaerts will absolutely bounce back, and with a few shrewd FA signings, the playoffs will once again be a very real possibility.
15. (18) Milwaukee Brewers
The Brew Crew have been moderately more attentive lately, which bodes well for the future of this team. They’ve always had plenty of talent, but a lack of depth, and a neglected farm system leave this Brewer’s squad in need of a makeover. This coming offseason will determine whether or not they return to their prior dominance, or languish through a protracted bout of mediocrity. The Central ain’t what it used to be, so it shouldn’t be overly difficult to snag a playoff spot next year with more adequate stewardship.
14. (15) New York Yankees
The Bombers made a solid run that lasted well into the summer, but the past month or so has separated the wheat from the chaff. With a competent ownership group, nearly unlimited financial resources and an already respectable core, the Yankees’ emergence as borderline contenders makes an already stacked AL East that much more competitive.
13. (20) Miami Marlins
The Marlins are good again. The team has always had enough talent to keep them somewhere in the middle of the pack. This year represents a best-case scenario for Lee’s fish. Cueto has pitched out of his mind, Altuve is doing an admirable Craig Biggio impression, even Steve Pearce is hitting like Steve Finley. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough. The Nats and Mets are the class of the division, and this team won’t challenge for a playoff spot any time soon. There’s plenty here to kick start a rebuild, but Lee has to commit to the process if he’s going to field a real contender.
12. (13) Chicago Cubs
As I’m accustomed to doing, I began this entry: ‘There’s always next year, Scott.’ Then I looked at the standings, and to my surprise, the Cubbies are leading the once feared NL Central Division. How times have changed. While I don’t think this team is a true title contender, the playoffs are a crap shoot. They’ll have a tough draw with the Nationals in the first round, assuming current results hold.
11. (9)Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have performed admirably to this point, especially considering how thin their major league roster is. I thought that the Mariners would run away with the division, but it has taken most of our season to achieve substantial separation, and even still, a 17 point lead can erode pretty quickly. John has his team poised to be competitive for the long run, and they’re an unfriendly aging curve for Cano away from multiple division crowns.
10. (6) San Diego Padres
Losing Fielder after a promising offseason trade to Arlington probably doomed this Padres squad, which is a shame considering they only have two more cheap years of Mike Trout. Thereafter, he’s going to get pricey, and it will be considerably more difficult to put a competitive team around him. The Fathers’ need to be aggressive this offseason and make a run at a title while they still have financial flexibility. A healthy Prince would almost certainly make this team a serious contender in a relatively weak NL.
9. (21) Tampa Bay Rays
Bob has quietly made huge improvements to his roster, and in a different division, this team is squarely in the playoff hunt. Unfortunately, he’s only the 3rd best team in his own division, but that could quite easily change come next season. When you have talent, you have options, and Bob could decide to get younger and cheaper, in favor of waiting out an eventual Red Sox decline, or continue to be aggressive and go all out for a playoff spot next year. Toronto is clearly the class of the division, but the Rays are definitely back.
8. (14) New York Mets
Barney’s miracle Mets currently own a 9.5 pt lead over the reigning West division champion Padres. Should that result hold, it would be the barnstormers’ first taste of postseason action. This is without doubt the best assemblage of talent they’ve had, but they appear to lack the depth- specifically in pitching- that has carried them above and beyond expectations in recent years. Even still, they have the talent to make some noise if they can just make it to the dance.
7. (4) Cleveland Indians
The Tribe have had a frustrating season thus far. Out of the gate, they seemed poised to challenge the perennial Central champion Royals for the division. Unfortunately, injuries to Harper, Fernandez, and Hellickson, along with 90 disappointing innings from Matt Cain have delayed any real threat to Black Kevin for another season. Don’t cry for Ryan, however, as this is a team that will be a fixture at the top of these rankings for years to come.
6. (7) Colorado Rockies
This may be Kyle’s best team yet. Proof that his absence, while a detriment to the league (seriously, where the hell are the Avatar Rankings?), prevents him from screwing up a good thing. The reigning West champion Padres are surging, but they’re in a 20+ pt hole. Barring a total collapse, the Rox could be a playoff team again this year. While I think they lack the requisite depth for a title run, stranger things have happened.
5. (3) Seattle Mariners
After a slow start to the season, the M’s are finally where I thought they should be all along, in contention among the league’s elite. The offense is championship caliber on paper, and while the biggest acquisition of the offseason- Cano- is hitting well, his lack of power is disconcerting, if somewhat predictable. Bruce and Longoria have really struggled, and they will need to show up in September if they’re going to get past the Jays. The pitching is solid, but not difference making.
4. (5) Boston Red Sox
I had myself 1 spot lower before mortgaging my future to pick up a closer and a power hitter. After a brutal start to the season, the Sox have risen to familiar territory near the top of the standings. I don’t know if I’ve got what it takes to beat BK, Mike or Jordan over any substantial length of time, but anything can happen in the playoffs. I could still use a starter or two, but things look good for a Wild Card berth and a first round against anyone other than the frightening Jays.
3. (8) Washington Nationals
If Jake Arrieta continues his case for a Cy Young into the fall, I may be underrating the Nats, but injuries and the wild flailings of Chris Davis have hurt their chances. They’re probably the best team in the NL (in a down year for the NL), so I’d count on a deep postseason run, but this team looked better a few months ago. We could be in for a dramatic, Cork/BK World Series. Get your popcorn ready.
2. (2) Kansas City Royals
Kevin has afforded himself the luxury of checking out for a few months and still returning to a serious contender. As usual, his depth is his greatest strength, and, as such, he’s incredibly well prepared for the post season. The Tribe were in control of the division, and it appeared as though BK’s playoff streak may have been in jeopardy, but he has built a commanding 25 pt lead on Cleveland, and yet another division crown seems inevitable.
1. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
I don’t know that we’ve had a wire-to-wire winner in this league, but I believe Jordan and his mighty Jays are on pace to do just that. They’ve cooled off some after a torrid start, but they are far and away the favorites to run away with the regular season crown (and potentially many more to come). The AL is the new NL this year, which means that there won’t be any gimmes in the playoffs, but this is the team to beat.
