The 2022 World Series trophy has already been awarded and tempers have begun to cool in Houston after the Astros Champions Parade, which can only mean one thing …
It’s time for our first power rankings of 2023. Yes, we know it’s very soon.
Sure, free will hasn’t started yet and many teams will look different than they do now when they show up for Spring Training in three months, but none of that is going to stop us.
Taking into consideration what each club looks like right now, as well as what grand opening day might be like, our constituents have done their best to rank in the top 30 with a focus on the upcoming campaign. Each of the top three teams was unanimously selected, but things got interesting later on.
Here’s a closer look at the full ranking.
Top 10 of the power charts
1) Astro
Result of this season: he won the World Series
The Astros have lost Gerrit Cole, George Springer and Carlos Correa via free agency in recent years, but they haven’t slowed down. They have won AL West in five of the last six seasons and after winning 106 games this season, they went 11-2 in the postseason and won the World Series. Justin Verlander, Michael Brantley and Cuban Yuli Gurriel are among the players who could test the free market, but whatever happens, Houston will be back with a lot of talent on his payroll in 2023.
2) Dodger
Result this post-season: lost to SDLN
No team has won more games in the last decade than the Dodgers, who are riding a streak of 12 consecutive seasons and nine of the last 10 NL West titles. Several big names will be entering free agency this winter, including Trea Turner, Clayton Kershaw and Craig Kimbrel, but all indications are that they will be very active in the season of the gates to take revenge for being eliminated so quickly in October.
3) brave
Result this post-season: lost to SDLN
Atlanta has won five consecutive NL East titles and is coming out of its first 100-win season since 2003. However, they were unable to defend the championship crown, falling to the Phillies in the NLDS. The most important decision of the off-season will center on whether Atlanta can bring back free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson, but the club still looks well positioned to go deep into the postseason again.
4) Parents
Result in this postseason: they lost the SCLN
San Diego could have one of the strongest bouts in the majors next season, especially if Juan José Soto settles down and is once again one of the best sluggers on the planet. Soto had some trouble hitting after coming mid-season from the Nationals, but looked like his usual self in the Padres’ NLCS defeat to the Phillies and could take flight in his first full year in San Diego. Plus, it won’t hurt to get Fernando Tatis Jr. back after his disqualification.
Result this post-season: Lost in the NL Wild Card Series
Our constituents had a hard time deciding where to put the Mets, who appeared fourth to ninth. Although New York has already signed Edwin Diaz again (the Puerto Rican would have accepted a $ 102 million five-year deal), the Mets have a lot of work to do this winter. Three of his starters – including ace Jacob deGrom – are free agents, as are main hitter Brandon Nimmo and his two main setters, Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo. Depending on how they perform in free agency, the Mets could go up or down quite a bit on the power charts by opening day.
Results in this postseason: Lost ALCS
Despite spending most of the season at the top of our power charts, the Yankees stumbled along the stretch before being run over by the Astros in the ALCS. Now all eyes are on Aaron Judge, who is a free agent after a historic season in which he scored 62 homers. The Yankees have other needs as well, but what will define their winter is whether or not they will keep the judge.
Results this post-season: Lost the World Series
It is true that the Phillies have come within two wins of a World Series title win this year, but they did not secure their place in the playoffs until the final series of the regular season. The only club they could lose is Jean Segura’s, which means if they were healthy, the Phillies would have one of the best lineups in the majors. Of course, they need to improve their defense and would benefit from greater depth in the bullpen. It will also be interesting to see how their main weapons – Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez – respond after a shortened winter due to how far they have gone into the postseason.
Results this post-season: Lost the NL Wild Card Series
San Luis came strong along the stretch to wipe out NL Central, but now the franchise must prepare for its first season without Yadier Molina since 2003. The legendary receiver retired after the season, along with the Dominican icon of the franchise, Albert Pujols, although the Cardinals were able to renew veteran Adam Wainwight for a year. St. Louis have qualified for the postseason in each of the last four seasons, although the team have been eliminated in the Wild Card round for three consecutive years.
Results this post-season: Lost in the AL Wild Card Series
Despite recording 90 victories in consecutive seasons, Toronto has not recorded a post-season win since 2016. However, with the emergence of Alek Manoah at the head of the rotation and a lineup led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teóscar Hernández, along with George Springer and Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays will try to end that drought in 2023.
Results in this postseason: Lost ALDS
The Mariners ended 21 years of post-season drought in 2022, but the club hopes it’s just the beginning. With Julio Rodriguez quickly establishing himself as one of the best players in the major leagues with an outstanding rookie season, his future in Seattle looks bright.
** The rest of the 30 teams: **
11. Rays
12. Guardians
13. Brewers
E-14. White socks
E-14. Orioles
16. Giants
17. Red Sox
18. Gemini
19. Rangers
20. D-back
21. Angelina
22. Puppies
23. Marlin
24. Rossi
25. Real
26. Tigers
27. Rocky Mountains
28. Pirates
29. National
30. Athletics
Voters: Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Sarah Langs, David Venn, Andrew Simon, Douglas Gausepohl
