Now that 2009 is here...lets see some Power Rankings!

[TheGhost76777]

I know that some sexy names like Dunn, Ramirez and Sheets are still out there for the taking, and there is always a chance of a big trade, but 2009 is officially here and its time for some power rankings! We can always go back and revise our rankings when these transactions happen!

Here is how I have set up my rankings. Over the past couple days I have looked over each teams 40 man rosters and have graded them on several different categorizes. Overall Lineup, Starting Pitching, Bullpen, Defense, Manager and Team Chemistry all go into the equation. 10 possible points for each cat. I count lineup 2.5x, SP and RP 2x and Defense 1.5x. Manager & Team Chemistry are counted once.

How I graded: Like I said I have been going over the rosters thoroughly the past few days. I judge the hitters by AVG/OBP/SLG+, Contract Rate, Hit Rate, Isolated Power, Runs Created per 27 outs and gut feeling. I.E. Ryan Ludwick would get a very high grade on last years #'s but my gut tells me he won't repeat. Victor Martinez was terrible but my gut tells me he bounces back to being a top 5 catcher. For pitchers we go with ERA/WHIP/OAV+ along with K/9, BB/9, Hit Rate, Strand Rate and gut feeling as well. With the defense I look at Range Factor, Zone Rating and for catchers their arms. Personal judgment comes in here as well. Team Chemistry and Manager is really bases solely on my own judgment. I.E. its clear that the Rays have more chemistry than the Tigers. When there are issues in the clubhouse ect. I will take these into consideration...but their won't be a gap in team chemistry from the #1 ranked team and the #30 ranked team.

Without further ado, here they are, 1-30. Feel free to disagree or agree as much as you like. Feel free to call me stupid and say I don't know what I'm talking about . These are just my two cents and I would like to share them.

Rankings 1-30
1 Boston Red Sox - 8.6
2 Philadelphia Phillies - 8.4
3 New York Yankees - 8.3
4 Tampa Bay Rays - 8.3
5 Los Angeles Angels - 8.2
6 New York Mets - 8.2
7 Cleveland Indians - 8.2
8 Chicago Cubs - 8.1
9 Minnesota Twins - 8.0
10 Los Angeles Dodgers - 8.0
11 Toronto Blue Jays - 7.9
12 St. Louis Cardinals - 7.6
13 Chicago White Sox - 7.6
14 Oakland A's - 7.6
15 Florida Marlins - 7.6
16 San Fransisco Giants - 7.6
17 Milwaukee Brewers - 7.5
18 Houston Astros - 7.5
19 Arizona Diamondbacks - 7.5
20 Colorado Rockies - 7.4
21 Detroit Tigers - 7.1
22 Atlanta Braves - 7.0
23 Texas Rangers - 6.8
24 Kansas City Royals - 6.8
25 Baltimore Orioles - 6.7
26 Seattle Mariners - 6.2
27 Pittsburgh Pirates - 6.2
28 Cincinnati Reds - 6.2
29 San Diego Padres - 6.1
30 Washington Nationals - 6.1


Lineups: High - Yankees (9.6), Low - Padres (5.9)
Rotation: High - Giants, Rays (8.9), Low - Rangers (5.1)
Pen: High - Blue Jays (9.0) - Low - Rangers (5.8)
Defense: High - Astros (9.3) - Low - Reds (6.7)
Manager: High - Terry Francona (9.5) - Low - Dusty Baker (6.5)
Chemistry: High - Rays (9.25) - Low - Tigers (6.5)

*Rankings Subject to chance with FA Signings + Trades

Playoff Seeds:
(1) Boston Red Sox
(2) Los Angeles Angels
(3) Cleveland Indians
(4) New York Yankees

(1) Philadelphia Phillies
(2) Chicago Cubs
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers
(4) New York Mets

In a rematch of the 2007 ALCS, the Red Sox battle the Cleveland Indians. This time the result is different though, and the Tribe takes it in 5. The best team that money can buy takes makes the Angels continue their first round losing ways in 4 games. Phillies sweep the Dodgers in the NL and the Mets continue to curse the Cubs in a 5 game series.

Carl Pavano and the Cleveland Indians take on C.C. Sabathia and the New York Yankees. The underdogs win this game, as C.C. Sabathia chokes in game 7 at Progressive Field. Things don't go any better for the other New York Team as the Phillies beat the Mets in 6 games.

[TLincecum55]

Giving my Giants some love at number 16, best I'm seen them ranked in a while.

[tribefan08]

I like the tribes chances this year. It's going to take some bounce back years from alot of guys, but come on half the team went down last year! If Cliff Lee pitches like Cliff Lee of 2008 the staff looks good, if he pitches like cliff lee of 2007, its gonna be a long year, which if he has his 08 year in 2007 we win the world series, but of course the stars never align for cleveland!

Pretty much Cliff needs to pitch borderline Cy YOUNG again, carmona needs a bounce back, and then WOW, the 3, 4, and 5 slots need to really step up. I can't remember his name but i wanna say huff? I would like to see him in the line up. I watched him in TripleA a few times, good stuff. Laporta better come up early and give the people of cleveland something to be happy about deaing CC (althought I know and most sports fans it was deal him for something or get nothing).

Alot of big things gotta happen, but i am liking the 7th rank love....

[tah161]

Dodgers at 10?

I dont know about that...our big off season signing so far has been a minor league contract with Estes.

Woohoo Dodgers

[The G.O.A.T.]

That you have the Padres lineup below the Giants tells me all I need to know.

[KCollins1304]

id love to hear how you calculated the chemistry numbers.

The ratio of google results when you search "X bad chemistry" where X is said team.

[Pogotheostrich]

I agree with most of how the rankings came out but I think the method is very flawed.

[KCollins1304]

That you have the Padres lineup below the Giants tells me all I need to know.

You mean the same Giants that outscored them last year?

[The G.O.A.T.]

That you have the Padres lineup below the Giants tells me all I need to know.

You mean the same Giants that outscored them last year?

Yes because taking a straight runs scored is the best method to seeing which offense is better. Not like there would be any factors involved in that like playing in Petco or anything. Plus when you look at the lineups name me a Giants hitter who even holds a candle to Brian Giles or Adrian Gonzalez. Just look at the team OPS+ for each. 98 for the Padres and 88 for the Giants.