– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
WHERE DO TEAMS STAND IN MLB?
Looking for some early 2016 MLB power rankings? Spring Training is in full swing for Major League teams – storylines have already started to develop. That said the early favorites to be playing ball in October have already started to establish themselves as reflected in the preseason rankings.
Way Too Early 2016 MLB Power Rankings
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The favorites to win the NL and the AL sit on top of the heap as opening day creeps closer.
So who are the teams to beat as we head into the 2016 MLB Regular Season? Let’s take a look in the first MLB Power Rankings of what promises to be an intriguing MLB season?
1. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs absolutely look like the team to beat in 2016. The addition of John Lackey to a rotation that includes reigning Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester is impressive indeed.
Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist playing alongside Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber are also very enticing. Simply put the Cubs are the most balanced team, top to bottom heading into 2016 and therefore an easy #1 in my books.
2. Kansas City Royals
The defending World Series champion Royals are the Cubs of the American League. They have one of the most impressive pitching staffs in the game from the rotation to the pen and they have a ton of guys in the lineup that just know how to get that hit at just the right time.
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Experience, chemistry and overall talent have KC at #2 heading into the season.
3. San Francisco Giants
The addition of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to go along with Madison Bumgarner, Chris Heston and Matt Cain makes the Giant rotation almost unfair. Denard Span’s presence as a quality leadoff man and center fielder also helps this team out.
Perhaps no team improved more in the offseason. This team has an affinity to show up in even-numbered years – 2016 could be another example of that.
4. New York Mets
Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz are the best starting rotation in the Bigs – period.
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The offense looks on paper to be a bit of a question mark but remember – this team was totally different when Yoenis Cespedes came over at the trade deadline – he will be back this year!
5. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards have been the best organization in baseball the last decade or so – expect them to be competitive again. Adam Wainwright’s health will be huge for a team that is poised for a huge bounce back in 2016.
There are some that are sleeping on the Cards heading into this year – I am not one of those guys!
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite losing Zach Greinke the Dodgers are still a deep and talented team. Am I worried that some teams have surpassed them in some key areas? Yes. Am I concerned that the Dodgers won’t be a contender in 2016? No.
7. Houston Astros
The Astros are one of those teams in the mold of the Royals – they stockpiled young studs after years of futility.
They are as solid a team as there is in the AL West and with a year more experience and a playoff appearance under their belt, my guess is that the Astros take another step in 2016.
8. Toronto Blue Jays
There is no doubt about the offense on this team – they figure to be electric again in 2016 but pitching could end up being the Achilles heel again. That said Marcus Stroman, RA Dickey, Marco Estrada, JA Happ and Drew Hutchison aren’t horrendous.
The addition of Drew Soren could also mean that the terrific Aaron Sanchez could join the rotation.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
Have made the postseason three straight years.
They lost A.J. Burnett, Neil Walker, J.A. Happ, Pedro Alvarez, Joakim Soria, Antonio Bastardo, Charlie Morton, Aramis Ramirez and Joe Blanton but the talent on this team but the remaining guys are enough tom keep this team competitive again.
10. Washington Nationals
Injuries to Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan really hurt a team that was favored to win it all last year. Max Scherzer, Steven Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez make up a superb top 3 in the rotation and the addition of Ben Revere to set the table for Bryce Harper could get this team over the top.
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The Nats are perhaps the most intriguing bounce back team in the Majors – an easy top 10 team.
11. Texas Rangers
Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish who returns from Tommy John surgery and Derek Holland provide the Rangers with a top tier rotation. The offense still looks pretty strong despite being a little long in the tooth.
Texas could surprise this year and could enter the top 10 sooner than later.
12. Boston Red Sox
I’m not exactly drinking the Kool-Aid but David Price does make this team a whole lot better.
- 13. New York Yankees
- 14. Arizona Diamondbacks
- 15. Detroit Tigers
- 16. Los Angeles Angels
- 17. Tampa Bay Rays
- 18. Chicago White Sox
- 19. Minnesota Twins
- 20. Cleveland Indians
- 21. Baltimore Orioles
- 22. Miami Marlins
- 23. Seattle Mariners
- 24. San Diego Padres
- 25. Oakland Athletics
- 26. Milwaukee Brewers
- 27 .Cincinnati Reds
- 28. Colorado Rockies
- 29. Atlanta Braves
- 30. Philadelphia Phillies
What do you think of the first edition of our 2016 MLB Power Rankings + Handicapping Analysis? Comments are welcome below.
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