With the debut of our 2018 Top MLB Power Rankings, we take a look at the state of each team on New Year’s Day. With the unusual lack of offseason activity, there are still many free-agent signings that will affect this list by the time pitchers and catchers report in six weeks.
Top MLB Power Rankings
1. Houston Astros (2 first-place votes), 88 points: Reigning champions bringing everyone back.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (1), 87: Another team with a very short list of offseason adjustments.
3. New York Yankees, 86: Winners of the winter meetings with surprise Giancarlo Stanton deal.
4. Cleveland Indians, 81: Led majors with +1.6 run differential last season.
5. Washington Nationals, 77: One last run with Bryce Harper in the fold?
6. Chicago Cubs, 75: Low-key signing of Tyler Chatwood shores up a decent rotation.
7. Boston Red Sox, 73: New leadership in first-time manager Alex Cora.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks, 68: Stayed healthy and earned surprise wild-card berth. Can they repeat?
9. Colorado Rockies, 65: Wade Davis deal gives them enough arms to compete.
10. Los Angeles Angels, 61: Welcome to the Shohei Otani show — but how quickly will he adjust?
11. St. Louis Cardinals, 59: Got the Marlins’ second-best piece in Marcell Ozuna.
12. Minnesota Twins, 58: Young talent helping them move up the ranks.
13. Seattle Mariners, 49: Could have enough talent — if healthy — to compete for second wild card.
14. Milwaukee Brewers, 46: Will soon see results of hanging onto their prospects last season.
15. Texas Rangers, 44: Rebuilt middle of rotation with offseason moves.
16. Atlanta Braves, 40: Punishment for prospect scandal was a huge blow to team’s future.
17. Oakland Athletics, 39: Yet another stadium deal dissolved. What year are they targeting?
18. Pittsburgh Pirates, 38: If everything goes right, they look pretty good. But how likely is that?
19. (tie) Tampa Bay Rays, 36: Traded the franchise in Evan Longoria. Looking toward 2020.
19. (tie) Toronto Blue Jays, 36: Might be too late for the current group, could deal pieces this year.
21. Baltimore Orioles, 32: What will they do with Manny Machado?
22. New York Mets, 28: We’re pretty sure they won’t be worse this season.
23. Kansas City Royals, 25: Impossible to predict before Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain sign — somewhere…
24. (tie) Philadelphia Phillies, 23: A solid group of young players under new manager Gabe Kapler.
24. (tie) San Francisco Giants, 23: Is Longoria trade first step in quick-fix rebuild?
26. Cincinnati Reds, 18: Billy Hamilton reportedly still on the market.
27. Chicago White Sox, 17: Highly regarded farm system nearly ready to produce.
28. San Diego Padres, 12: Same for these guys, with a 2019 arrival date for their best.
29. Detroit Tigers, 8: Trade of Justin Verlander showed they plan a total tear-down.
30. Miami Marlins, 3: Plenty of blame to go around for the current state of the team.
What Is A Free Agent?
free agent refers to a player whose contract with a team has expired or who has been released from their contract, making them eligible to sign with any team of their choosing. Free agents have the flexibility to negotiate terms with multiple teams and ultimately decide where they want to play. This status provides players with more control over their careers and allows them to seek the best possible contract offers and playing opportunities.
