Post by Steve on Jul 15, 2014 15:05:53 GMT -5
We are basically halfway through the year…so let’s get a Mid-Season Top 10 Power Ranking. Some very good teams have been built. We’ve had the usual GMs sitting on their teams, and it’s totally costing them. STL, TOR, and BAL to name a few. We have a GM on the brink of MAJOR financial probation, and he seems to really not care (NANZ). We have two super elite teams that will most likely face off for the NL Pennant, and basically wipe out whoever they face in the AL (FLA/SF). So let’s get to it:
10. Milwaukee Brewers (44-32)- You know what’s crazy? Steve has only lost 100 games one time in his tenure here…it seems like this team hasn’t been relevant in this league’s existence, yet he has just managed one year of 100+ losses. Anyway, he’s on pace for his first 90+ win campaign. His nucleus is starting to take shape with Casey McGehee, Drew Meyer, and K Squared. He has some nice, solid pieces in his farm with Hosmer, Bogaerts, and Teheran. Help is on the way, and he needs to build his FI up before he can start to add any salary. At least there finally is some direction in Milwaukee, but I just don’t see his team ready for that next step.
Prediction: Misses Playoffs
9. Colorado Rockies (43-33)- Shale’s team is starting to gain some traction. However, he needs to address his pitching. Has to…Just not good enough. The problem is, he just doesn’t have any assets to make a deal like that. His team needs to start winning games at home, too. Lackey is seriously underperforming, and you have to figure he’ll put together a strong 2nd half which should bode well for Shale. After that, his other guys are doing what’s expected. For me, he only has one true superstar on his team, and that’s Corey Hart. Otherwise, he has a bunch of old, middling type guys on his team. I think this team falls short of a Playoff berth unless Shale does something drastic with his pitching.
Prediction: Misses Playoffs
8. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (48-28)- If he had Lincoln, I’d have him higher. Just don’t see a true Ace on this team. Anyways, still a very good team. Not sure what Greeme is exactly doing. I think he’s trying to re-tool a bit while dropping some salary. Holliday and J-F-G are providing the best 3-4 punch in the league right now. A bunch of very solid SPs on his roster, but just don’t see how you can make a run with them. Greeme should still lock up the Wild Card, and he’s still making moves to ensure that. Acquiring Delrio was a very nice move for him. He should fit in nicely. Don’t see the competition for Greeme here as he should make the Playoffs, and quite possibly make a run at the division.
Prediction: AL Wild Card
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (45-31)- Darrel’s first meaningful season. He has basically lost 90+ a year since starting in 2002. He has made some significant moves in the Off-Season…acquired himself an Ace. Jake Peavy is probably the most unhittable pitcher in the league. It’s so difficult to get baserunners on this guy. However, he’s made some poor decisions, and had he not made some of these decisions…he’d probably be in an even better position. Trading Torres to me was a bad call. He’s too good, and could’ve gotten better value. The whole Webb debacle…lost a great pick because he had to move his horrendous contract. Then there is the giving away a prospect for board cash move. Subsequently he got a great PD, and is now a huge asset for Styro. Having said all of that, it’s exciting to see the D’Backs in the thick of things for once. I think they make it in, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they didn’t. NL is tough.
Prediction: NL Wild Card
6. Cleveland Indians (50-26)- D-Rowe has another good team on his hand…can he go one step father, however? I doubt it, but you never know in the Playoffs. Have virtually no idea why Konerko is hitting 7th. That’s horrible. Move him up. Konerko/Dunn/V-Mart is a nice trio. The hitting needs to improve, and it can if D-Rowe makes logical decisions with his lineup. The rotation looks strong again, and that’s where will see how far D-Rowe can go in the Playoffs. Lidge has dominated yet again from the back end. Should be very interesting to see if the Indians can get back to the World Series.
Prediction: AL Central Champs
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-29)- With Lincoln in the fold, my team should start to take off. We are 10-4 since acquiring him. Kusie/Lincoln/Prior is very formidable, and at the very least will give me a fighting chance against SF or FLA. Hanley/Ortiz/Vlad/Torres is my 3-6…feel good about that. Jennings has been solid for us, and if Bellorin can play at a level I think he can get too…we’ll be set. My bullpen is solid...Holland coming up should help out a little bit as well. Hopefully, I can deal Workman, and then I'll call up Collmenter. Not particularly fond of my chances, but you never know come Playoff time.
Prediction: NL Central Champs
4. Boston Red Sox (54-22)- They’re overperforming a bit, but Break has a very nice team here. Their rotation is absolutely fine…very strong. Gissell is having a down year, but one would expect him to get going soon. I’m just not a total fan of their offense when looking at them. Lots of solid pieces, but no star power for me. They’ve done a heck of a job, though. I still think that’s an offense you can shut down come playoff time. I think Boston comes back down to Earth a bit, but they still hold on for the division.
Prediction: AL East Champs
3. Seattle Mariners (45-31)- Well, I got Nanz’s squad here. You want to talk about being unlucky? They’re 10 games under their expected win/loss record. Crazy. Still, I think very highly of this team, and I think they’re the team to beat from the AL. Great pitching, great hitting…extremely deep lineup. However, he will be hitting financial probation unless he makes moves. He’s been inactive for quite awhile now so who knows if he gets anything accomplished. He’s going to lose some good players this Off-Season. Votto is staying, but who else is? I’m banking he keeps Papelbon around. Anyway, a K-Rod/Paps/Harden trio is tough. Seattle is going to the World Series, and I think they’re the only team capable of taking down either Florida or San Fran.
Prediction: AL West Champs; AL Pennant
2. San Francisco Giants (53-23)- Best staff ever assembled? I think so. Buerhle/Wood/JJ/Pitts is incredible. Buerhle looks to be the best of the bunch, but man, it’s the envy of the league. Spence could have a bottom 10 hitting team, and still win a ton of games. The hitting is starting to hit their stride. Huff is having a horrible year. Reyes is having a terrific year, and is having the best year of his career. The bullpen is the achillies heel of this team. Besides Romo, nothing of quality in my opinion. If you can get to the starters early, then you can beat this team. I think Spence’s team fails to get to the World Series…even with that pitching staff.
Prediction: NL West Champs
1. Florida Marlins (59-17)- Defending Champs and best team in the league right now…I still lol at the thought of this team struggling last season to make the Playoffs. Miggy has finally taken over as the best player in the league. He is just putting up absurd numbers. The Marlins are on pace for 1,000+ runs this year. Don’t know when the last time a team has done that. Nomar/Rivas/Miggy/Howard/Kubel is bonkers. Then I look at that rotation, and it’s pretty dang good. CC/Sabin/Affeldt/Wuertz is so strong. When the hell did Wuertz get so good? The bullpen is even loaded. No weakness on this team. I guess come Playoff time, you just have to pray they have a few bad days at the office. Otherwise, I think they repeat.
Prediction: NL East Champs; World Series Champs
10. Milwaukee Brewers (44-32)- You know what’s crazy? Steve has only lost 100 games one time in his tenure here…it seems like this team hasn’t been relevant in this league’s existence, yet he has just managed one year of 100+ losses. Anyway, he’s on pace for his first 90+ win campaign. His nucleus is starting to take shape with Casey McGehee, Drew Meyer, and K Squared. He has some nice, solid pieces in his farm with Hosmer, Bogaerts, and Teheran. Help is on the way, and he needs to build his FI up before he can start to add any salary. At least there finally is some direction in Milwaukee, but I just don’t see his team ready for that next step.
Prediction: Misses Playoffs
9. Colorado Rockies (43-33)- Shale’s team is starting to gain some traction. However, he needs to address his pitching. Has to…Just not good enough. The problem is, he just doesn’t have any assets to make a deal like that. His team needs to start winning games at home, too. Lackey is seriously underperforming, and you have to figure he’ll put together a strong 2nd half which should bode well for Shale. After that, his other guys are doing what’s expected. For me, he only has one true superstar on his team, and that’s Corey Hart. Otherwise, he has a bunch of old, middling type guys on his team. I think this team falls short of a Playoff berth unless Shale does something drastic with his pitching.
Prediction: Misses Playoffs
8. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (48-28)- If he had Lincoln, I’d have him higher. Just don’t see a true Ace on this team. Anyways, still a very good team. Not sure what Greeme is exactly doing. I think he’s trying to re-tool a bit while dropping some salary. Holliday and J-F-G are providing the best 3-4 punch in the league right now. A bunch of very solid SPs on his roster, but just don’t see how you can make a run with them. Greeme should still lock up the Wild Card, and he’s still making moves to ensure that. Acquiring Delrio was a very nice move for him. He should fit in nicely. Don’t see the competition for Greeme here as he should make the Playoffs, and quite possibly make a run at the division.
Prediction: AL Wild Card
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (45-31)- Darrel’s first meaningful season. He has basically lost 90+ a year since starting in 2002. He has made some significant moves in the Off-Season…acquired himself an Ace. Jake Peavy is probably the most unhittable pitcher in the league. It’s so difficult to get baserunners on this guy. However, he’s made some poor decisions, and had he not made some of these decisions…he’d probably be in an even better position. Trading Torres to me was a bad call. He’s too good, and could’ve gotten better value. The whole Webb debacle…lost a great pick because he had to move his horrendous contract. Then there is the giving away a prospect for board cash move. Subsequently he got a great PD, and is now a huge asset for Styro. Having said all of that, it’s exciting to see the D’Backs in the thick of things for once. I think they make it in, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they didn’t. NL is tough.
Prediction: NL Wild Card
6. Cleveland Indians (50-26)- D-Rowe has another good team on his hand…can he go one step father, however? I doubt it, but you never know in the Playoffs. Have virtually no idea why Konerko is hitting 7th. That’s horrible. Move him up. Konerko/Dunn/V-Mart is a nice trio. The hitting needs to improve, and it can if D-Rowe makes logical decisions with his lineup. The rotation looks strong again, and that’s where will see how far D-Rowe can go in the Playoffs. Lidge has dominated yet again from the back end. Should be very interesting to see if the Indians can get back to the World Series.
Prediction: AL Central Champs
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-29)- With Lincoln in the fold, my team should start to take off. We are 10-4 since acquiring him. Kusie/Lincoln/Prior is very formidable, and at the very least will give me a fighting chance against SF or FLA. Hanley/Ortiz/Vlad/Torres is my 3-6…feel good about that. Jennings has been solid for us, and if Bellorin can play at a level I think he can get too…we’ll be set. My bullpen is solid...Holland coming up should help out a little bit as well. Hopefully, I can deal Workman, and then I'll call up Collmenter. Not particularly fond of my chances, but you never know come Playoff time.
Prediction: NL Central Champs
4. Boston Red Sox (54-22)- They’re overperforming a bit, but Break has a very nice team here. Their rotation is absolutely fine…very strong. Gissell is having a down year, but one would expect him to get going soon. I’m just not a total fan of their offense when looking at them. Lots of solid pieces, but no star power for me. They’ve done a heck of a job, though. I still think that’s an offense you can shut down come playoff time. I think Boston comes back down to Earth a bit, but they still hold on for the division.
Prediction: AL East Champs
3. Seattle Mariners (45-31)- Well, I got Nanz’s squad here. You want to talk about being unlucky? They’re 10 games under their expected win/loss record. Crazy. Still, I think very highly of this team, and I think they’re the team to beat from the AL. Great pitching, great hitting…extremely deep lineup. However, he will be hitting financial probation unless he makes moves. He’s been inactive for quite awhile now so who knows if he gets anything accomplished. He’s going to lose some good players this Off-Season. Votto is staying, but who else is? I’m banking he keeps Papelbon around. Anyway, a K-Rod/Paps/Harden trio is tough. Seattle is going to the World Series, and I think they’re the only team capable of taking down either Florida or San Fran.
Prediction: AL West Champs; AL Pennant
2. San Francisco Giants (53-23)- Best staff ever assembled? I think so. Buerhle/Wood/JJ/Pitts is incredible. Buerhle looks to be the best of the bunch, but man, it’s the envy of the league. Spence could have a bottom 10 hitting team, and still win a ton of games. The hitting is starting to hit their stride. Huff is having a horrible year. Reyes is having a terrific year, and is having the best year of his career. The bullpen is the achillies heel of this team. Besides Romo, nothing of quality in my opinion. If you can get to the starters early, then you can beat this team. I think Spence’s team fails to get to the World Series…even with that pitching staff.
Prediction: NL West Champs
1. Florida Marlins (59-17)- Defending Champs and best team in the league right now…I still lol at the thought of this team struggling last season to make the Playoffs. Miggy has finally taken over as the best player in the league. He is just putting up absurd numbers. The Marlins are on pace for 1,000+ runs this year. Don’t know when the last time a team has done that. Nomar/Rivas/Miggy/Howard/Kubel is bonkers. Then I look at that rotation, and it’s pretty dang good. CC/Sabin/Affeldt/Wuertz is so strong. When the hell did Wuertz get so good? The bullpen is even loaded. No weakness on this team. I guess come Playoff time, you just have to pray they have a few bad days at the office. Otherwise, I think they repeat.
Prediction: NL East Champs; World Series Champs
