Corey's MLB Power Rankings - 2006 Midseason Report
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by user Coreyisarealboy
I decided to take a different, more expansive route with this week's rankings. Because they were to fall on Monday, just in time for the All-Star Break, I decided, since I had already reviewed the first quarter of the season--albeit not seriously--I would take this time to add reviews and previews of each team's season.
Not much has changed a whole lot amongst the top teams. The Tigers remain firmly planted at the stop, but the White Sox narrowly missed dropping a spot to the BoSox but held off the onslaught with a 19-inning win to avoid a Boston sweep.
1. (1) Detroit Tigers - 59-29, first place in AL Central
First half: Everything has gone the Tigers' way in the first half. Their unexpected climb to the top of the league has been triggered by their pitching staff. While many still believe this team is overachieving, after 88 games, it's hard to doubt the team for much longer. This would be the most colossal story of overachievement since Brady Anderson hit 50 home runs for Baltimore in 1996.
Second half expectations: The team may experience a slight dropoff in production. Don't expect the rookie Zach Miner to continue his dominance, although, in the year of Francisco Liriano, don't rule it completely out either. If they do stumble, even a little bit, it should still mean a Wild Card spot.
2. (2) Chicago White Sox - 57-31, second place in AL Central
First half: The defending champs have proven last year was not a fluke. The acquisition of Jim Thome has been probably the best offseason move for any franchise. Thome has hit 30 homers and driven in 77 runs to perch himself at the top of the AL MVP frontrunners. Thome, along with the continued production of Paul Konerko and Joe Crede, in addition to the career year Jermaine Dye is having at age 32, has given a team known in 2005 for its pitching some power at the plate in 2006.
Second half: With the power at the plate, the White Sox run at back-to-back rings will still come down to pitching. Will the staff be able to keep the team in games where the offense doesn't come through? At this point, the White Sox offense is still a less potent version of Boston's, so it's still going to come down to doing the same thing that got them the first ring.
3. (3) Boston Red Sox - 53-33, first place in AL East
First half: It's not hard to spot the trend taking place in Boston. Kevin Youkilis gets on base, and David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez bring him home. Ortiz leads the majors in homers (31) and RBI (87). Ramirez has added 24 and 65. Curt Schilling can make an argument for the Cy Young Award, and Jonathan Papelbon has been the best closer in baseball.
Second half: The Red Sox will almost positively look for pitching at the deadline. The question is, "How big of a splash can they make?" A lot of other teams will be looking for pitching too. They will definitely need to start winning more on the road; they are currently just 26-23 on the road, which is adequate compared to some teams in the league, but they certainly can't expect to reach the World Series with that.
4. (4) New York Mets - 53-36, first place in NL East
First half: The Mets have been the only National League team even remotely close to looking like they belong in the World Series. Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and David Wright are all over 20 home runs thus far, and Jose Reyes has made a glorious emergence as one of the most dangerous lead off men in the business, much like Juan Pierre was when the Marlins won the World Series in 2003.
Second half: With the rest of the East lagging terribly, it could only be expected that the Mets continue to rise above the competition. The key for the Mets is avoiding injuries, not that it's entirely possible to do such a thing voluntarily. But a serious injury to one of the older arms in the rotation could prove disastrous.
5. (6) New York Yankees - 50-36, second place in AL East
First half: Decimated by a string of injuries that claimed Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, the Yankees have pulled through efficiently enough without the spending of even more money. While the talent is certainly there, this Yankee team doesn't look to be the juggernaut it seemed after the signing of Johnny Damon. Perhaps we can just blame it on Karma.
Second half: The problem with New York's situation is that they're in need of help in the outfield, but have no prized possessions to give up for that help. It's possible that once Matsui and Sheffield return the Yankees can make a run, but if they fall too far too fast, the playoffs could be in jeopardy.
6. (5) Minnesota Twins - 47-39, third place in AL Central
First half: After the Twins finally put Francisco Liriano into the rotation, the team finally seemed to figure things out. Joe Mauer has solidified his spot as the top catcher in the league, and the duo of Liriano and Johan Santana, both of whom seemed poised for Cy Young runs, have provided fireworks from the hill.
Second half: The long season will no doubt start to wear on Mauer, so the Twins must find other offense. Justin Morneau has been great, and his continued production is a must. If the Tigers of White Sox stumble at all in the second half, this team could pounce in a second.
7. (7) Toronto Blue Jays - 49-39, third place in AL East
First half: Aside from Roy Halladay, there isn't a whole lot of positive things to say about the Jays' rotation. A.J. Burnett was injured for much of the first half and hasn't exactly sparkled in his return. Even so, Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, and Lyle Overbay have sparked an offense that is among the league's best, and the Jays are only two games behind the Yankees for second place.
Second half: The Jays need to look for pitching at the deadline, and they need to beat out their division rivals for the best available, which is no easy task. If they are able to, however, they could be outside contenders for a Wild Card spot.
8. (10) San Diego Padres - 48-40, first place in NL West
First half: Winners of five straight entering the All-Star Break, the Padres are, in my opinion, a surprise contender in the NL. The Pads are 27th in the majors in runs scored and 24th in team batting average. However, they rank second behind the Tigers in team ERA, quite surprising considering that beyond Jake Peavy, there isn't much high-powered talent in the rotation with guys like Woody Williams and Chan Ho Park.
Second half: Although that's not to say, even with veterans like Mike Piazza, Mike Cameron and Vinny Castilla, that the Padres can't win the crapshoot also known as the NL West division race.
9. (9) St. Louis Cardinals - 48-39, first place in NL Central
First half: The injury to Albert Pujols was without a doubt a setback to the Cards, and if it weren't for winning three straight over the Astros heading into the break, some might say the Cards were still in disarray.
Second half: Barring any and all injuries to Pujols, the Cards' ship seems to have been righted. However, this is not as good of a team as it has been, and it may be only a matter of time before another Central team knocks the Cards off their perch. If they're not careful, this could be the year.
10. (15) Los Angeles Dodgers - 46-42, second place in NL West
First half: The Dodgers, despite having only one player (Nomar Garciaparra) with more than 10 home runs, are seventh in the league in runs scored. As a team, they are batting .308 with runners in scoring position, second to only the White Sox in all of the league.
Second half: One could only expect that trend to continue; Los Angeles, led by Nomar, is filled with guys that know how to get on base. The pitching on the other hand, can only be expected to tumble. Brad Penny and Aaron Sele boast matching 2.91 ERAs, and both have career ERAs of plus-3.50. In fact, Sele's career ERA is a 4.84, obviously well above his output this year.
11. (17) Texas Rangers - 45-43, t-first in the AL West
First half: The teams in the AL and NL West Divisions need to pick a personality soon. One week they're good, the next they're bad, and the next they're back to being good--or at the very least decent. The problem with the Rangers is pitching, as it is with most teams hovering around the .500 mark. But Rangers' players always seem to come through in the All-Star Games.
Second half: The biggest obstacle for Texas is not on their own team, it's the Angels, who are the hottest team in baseball and just two games back now. The Rangers will need pitching and Mark Teixeira to return to form to have any hope of staying atop the division.
12. (11) Oakland Athletics - 45-43, t-first place in AL West
First half: Another year and the A's are in the hunt once again. Offseason acquisition Frank Thomas has 19 homers for the A's this year, and Nick Swisher is having a terrific first full season.
Second half: If history is any indication, the A's will do some dealing at the deadline, and make a run at a playoff spot. But once again, this team will have to beat a rejuvenated Angels squad.
13. (21) Los Angeles Angels - 43-45, third place in AL West
First half: After struggling through a good part of the first 88 games, the Angels have undertaken a turn-around reminiscent of the Astros' last season. The Angels were 11 games under .500 at one point, and nine games under as recent as June 30. But here they are just two games out of first place at the break.
Second half: Bartolo Colon must find a way to return to form. If he does, with Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana pitching the way they are, this team graduates from scary to downright dangerous.
14. (13) Colorado Rockies - 44-43, t-third place in NL West
First half: Matt Holliday (.337 BA with 16 homers and 57 RBI) has really put together a monster first half by Rockies' standards, and the pitching staff has been surprising effective by Coors Field standards.
Second half: As charming of a story as it might be, I just don't see the Rockies contending for a playoff spot. Then again, they play in the NL West, where you can't really rule anything out.
15. (14) San Francisco Giants - 45-44, t-third place in NL West
First half: Barry Bonds eclipsed Babe Ruth for second place all-time. Was anybody else really paying attention to San Francisco aside from that? Yet somehow the Giants managed to head into the break with a winning record. They'd be even better if they could give their pitchers, especially Jason Schmidt (6-5 with a 2.78 ERA), some run support.
Second half: The biggest question is whether or not the Bonds situation will overshadow the game for the Giants. Now that it seems he will be indicted on perjury and tax-evasion, the Giants may not have much time to bask in the glory of a winning record.
16. (12) Seattle Mariners - 43-46, fourth place in AL West
First half: If you were to replace Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson with players that were sickeningly overpaid, this team could have one of the best records in the league.
Second half: Expect guys like Ichiro, Raul Ibanez and Kenji Johjima to be dragged down by not only the play of Beltre and Sexson, but also the contracts as there is close to no chance anyone wants to pick those up at the deadline.
17. (19) Milwaukee Brewers - 44-46, third place in NL Central
First half: Another team decimated by injuries, the Brewers lost ace Ben Sheets, No. 4 man Tomo Ohka, long reliever Rick Helling and starting shortstop J.J. Hardy, and only Hardy's position was filled effectively with Bill Hall having a breakthrough season. Still the Brewers have managed to stay near .500, which could mean big things for the second half.
Second half: The Crew is currently 5-17 in games started by Sheets' and Ohka's replacements this year, so, yes, for those doubting my outlook on their returns, there are times when getting even Tomo Ohka back from injury is a good thing. As far as the trade deadline goes, the Brewers seem to be the only people on the planet dispelling rumors that Carlos Lee is on the trading block. Even Lee himself, in an article on ESPN.com about a possible trade, is quoted as saying "I see myself in Milwaukee for a long time." General manager Doug Melvin and owner Mark Attanasio have both stated Lee is not on the market, yet speculation has still arisen. If a surprise trade does go down, you can bet it will be a bigger blockbuster than Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
18. (8) Cincinnati Reds - 45-44, second place in NL Central
First half: Like the Tigers, the experts said the Reds were playing above their heads in the first half. But unlike the Tigers, the Reds have come back down to earth, and Bronson Arroyo has lost three straight decisions and gotten rocked in his last two starts.
Second half: The Reds don't look to have a lot of options for trades. They've got a number of holes to fill and it doesn't look like they'll be able to fill them all. I see them falling even further as the Brewers and Astros continue to improve.
19. (18) Houston Astros - 43-46, fourth place in NL Central
First half: Much of Houston's first half was spent trying to convince Roger Clemens to return, then the last 20 games were spent trying to prove that the addition of Clemens was actually going to improve the team.
Second half: The Astros starting the trading on Wednesday, acquiring Aubrey Huff from the Devil Rays. This probably will not make or break the season, but it sure will help fill that hole in the lineup also known as Preston Wilson.
20. (16) Arizona Diamondbacks - 43-45, fifth place in NL West
First half: The D-Rays are one of the West teams searching for an identity. They have a Cy Young candidate in Brandon Webb but the team has seemed to go as Webb goes. After owning one of the best records in baseball a while back, Webb went into a funk, and the D-Rays fell with him.
Second half: I'd expect much of the same. The D-Rays struggle when their best player is struggling because they don't have anyone else to fill the role in the meantime.
21. (25) Atlanta Braves - 40-49, third place in NL East
First half: Back on June 23, the Braves were coming off a 10-game losing streak that left them 13 games under .500, but they've managed to turn things around since thanks to some big time offense.
Second half: It's decision time for the Braves, buyers or sellers? They are only six games out of the Wild Card, but might have too many holes to fill, including a glaring one in the bullpen.
22. (20) Baltimore Orioles - 41-49, fourth place in AL East
First half: The Orioles, as expected, haven't contended in the AL East, and have resorted to claiming Diamondback castoffs as starting pitchers for any help.
Second half: The Orioles are done this year, and the only question remaining for them is whether to move Miguel Tejada.
23. (22) Cleveland Indians - 40-47, fouth place in AL Central
First half: Despite having arguably the best hitter in the game, Travis Hafner, the Indians, for whatever reason, have not been able to keep it together, and Hafner's incredible exclusion from the All-Star Game may have resulted from that.
Second half: There are a lot of games left in the season, but with the way their AL Central counterparts are playing, the Indians can start preparing for next season by offering some of that veteran pitching for contending teams.
24. (23) Philadelphia Phillies - 40-47, second place in NL East
First half: The good news is they have a duo at first and second that's the best in the majors. The bad news is they don't have much else.
Second half: It's only a matter of time before Charlie Manuel receives his walking papers, likely along with David Bell and Mike Lieberthal.
25. (27) Tampa Bay Devil Rays - 39-50, fifth place in AL East
First half: A strong class of youngsters, led by steal-of-the-century and ace-of-the-future Scott Kazmir, have impressed at times...
Second half: ...but the Devil Rays are still a few years away from putting all the pieces together. Let's just hope they're smart enough to continue to stockpile young talent and not trade it all away.
26. (24) Florida Marlins - 38-48, fourth place in NL East
First half: The Marlins have three, yes, three Rookie of the Year candidates in Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson.
Second half: The team will quietly remain in the bottom half of the league as the young guys gain more experience. The only noise they will make is if they find a suitor for Dontrelle Willis.
27. (26) Washington Nationals - 38-52, fifth place in NL East
First half: Despite his difficulties moving to the outfield, Alfonso Soriano is still a valuable hitter, as he has proven all year.
Second half: If he's traded, just where will Soriano wind up at the trade deadline?
28. (28) Chicago Cubs - 34-54, fifth place in NL Central
First half: Much of the same for the Cubs as Mark Prior and Kerry Wood made DL appearances, and the North Siders' season took a plunge before it really got going.
Second half: Too many questions and so few answers for the Cubs. Will Dusty Baker be fired? Will Greg Maddux be in a new uniform come August? What to do with Prior and Wood?
29. (29) Kansas City Royals - 31-56, fifth place in AL Central
First half: Not that it was surprising, but the Royals have been utterly awful. Fortunately for them, they're playing just "well" enough to stay out of the bottom spot.
Second half: If they're smart, which is debateable at this point, the Royals' brass would be smart to move some of the older players like Mark Grudzielanek and Doug Mientkiewicz, that is if anyone is willing to take them.
30. (30) Pittsburgh Pirates - 30-60, sixth place in the NL Central
First half: Remember when Zach Duke was nearly unhittable last season? After a 5-8 start to 2006 and a 5.17 ERA, it's awfully hard to remember that.
Second half: Another team stuck with veterans who have a very small market. Sadly for the Pirates, not too many teams will be looking for the services of Jeromy Burnitz.
Date
Wed 07/12/06, 8:42 am EST
