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MLB Power Rankings / July 27th 2011

Shea Matthews’s weighs in with another edition the the 2011 MLB power rankings. The Rangers have been supplanted by the Red Sox as the Number 1 team, will they continue to hold it next week? We’ll see…

Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 7/27/2011)

Our final pre-deadline edition of the 2011 power rankings highlights which teams are planning – or should be planning – big moves.

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(Previous rankings in brackets)

1. (2) Boston Red Sox (63-38): Because their pitching staff is getting healthy, you could argue the Red Sox have the fewest holes to fill of any major World Series contender.

2. (3) Philadelphia Phillies (65-37): Linked to Carlos Beltran, BJ Upton and Hunter Pence. And you know they’ll have to move Domonic Brown to get one of them. Is it just me or have the Phillies quickly soured on their prized prospect, who was supposed to be a perfect replacement for Jayson Werth?

3. (4) New York Yankees (61-40): Linked to Ubaldo Jimenez. If I recall, a certain power rankings blog suggested the Bronx Bombers pursue him a few weeks back.

MLB Power Rankings

4. (1) Texas Rangers (59-45): I’m a little surprised to hear that they were chasing Carlos Beltran so hard (before he crossed American-League teams off his list). Doesn’t Texas have enough pop already?

5. (5) Atlanta Braves (60-44): Though Beltran would be a nice fit, I’m excited about the Pence rumors if I’m a Braves fan. Imagine having him and Jason Heyward as outfield pillars for years to come? And Atlanta always has enough farm pieces to sell in return.

6. (7) Detroit Tigers (55-48): I like what the Tigers are doing. They haven’t been linked to a blockbuster but nabbing Wilson Betemit shows they’re after just what they need: depth.

7. (6) San Francisco Giants (59-44): If I’m San Fran, I’m pushing harder than anyone else for Beltran. It has to replace Buster Posey’s offensive production for the stretch run if it wants to repeat as champion.

8. (12) Arizona Diamondbacks (56-47): Will they seek middle infield help after Stephen Drew’s injury? So far I’ve heard them linked to Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena and various relievers but that’s it.

9. (16) St. Louis Cardinals (55-48): They can’t get rid of Colby Rasmus fast enough and they want pitching in return. Tampa still seems like a great fit to me.

10. (10) Milwaukee Brewers (55-49): Of the contenders, the Brewers have been as quiet as anyone in rumors. To me, that’s because (a) they were so active in the offseason and (b) they made their big move for 2011 already by picking up K-Rod.

11. (9) Pittsburgh Pirates (53-48): The Rodney Dangerfield of the playoff hopefuls gets no respect. The Bucs want to make moves but guys like Beltran are vetoing trades that would take them to Pittsburgh. No one believes in their success just yet.

12. (13) Florida Marlins (50-53): I still wonder if it’s time to cash in Hanley Ramirez for a massive return – the kind of haul that brought the Marlins Hanley when they traded Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell.

13. (14) Los Angeles Angels (56-48): The Angels are usually a very active deadline team, having acquired Mark Teixeira and Dan Haren in recent years, but the rumors suggest they’re more likely to sell than buy this year. Is that a good idea when they’re just three games behind Texas in the AL West?

14. (21) New York Mets (52-51): From what I know, the Mets aren’t letting their north-of-.500 record cloud the fact that they’re sellers. It’s a virtual certainty that Carlos Beltran gets moved.

15. (19) Chicago White Sox (50-52): If I’m the White Sox, I’m still buying at the deadline. The AL Central is still anyone’s to take.

16. (11) Cleveland Indians (52-49): Sigh. The Tribe had a great run but they’ve also fallen back to .500. I’ve heard very few rumors of them trying to make a big deadline splash. This team isn’t delusional about its inevitable 2011 fate. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

17. (8) Tampa Bay Rays (53-49): In any other division they could be deadline buyers. But they’re doomed in the AL East so they may as well look at selling off pieces like BJ Upton.

18. (18) Toronto Blue Jays (51-52): Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos marches to his own drum, so you never know what kind of unexpected deal Toronto might pull off. The Jays have been linked to Jimenez and even Heath Bell.

19. (17) Cincinnati Reds (50-53): Like the White Sox, still close enough to their division leader that they could make a move. Go get a pitcher!

20. (23) Oakland Athletics (46-57): They’re reportedly “disappointed” in the offers they’ve received for vets like Josh Willingham. Well, Oakland, that’s what happens when the best piece you want to sell is Josh friggin’ Willingham.

21. (26) Los Angeles Dodgers (47-56)
22. (15) Minnesota Twins (48-55)
23. (20) Colorado Rockies (48-56)
24. (22) Washington Nationals (49-53)
25. (28) Baltimore Orioles (41-58)
26. (25) San Diego Padres (45-59)
27. (27) Kansas City Royals (43-60)
28. (24) Chicago Cubs (42-61)
29. (29) Houston Astros (33-70)
30. (30) Seattle Mariners (43-60)

We’re nearly halfway thru the 2011 MLB gambling season. It’s time to NOW bring your best baseball betting hat to the table for gambling on baseball. Cappers Picks all season long provides MLB baseball gambling predictions, so check back often.

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.