| MLB Power Rankings Week Of 07/
13/
2008 |
| Rk |
Team |
Last Wk |
Rise/Fall |
High/Low |
Comment |
| 1 |
 Cubs |
3 |
(+2) |
1/13 |
The good: The Cubs answered the Brewers' trade for CC Sabathia by acquiring Rich Harden. If Harden stays healthy — a big if — the Cubs have the NL's best rotation.
The bad: The Cubs may have given up too much to get Harden, who rarely stays healthy longer than a month. It may prove to be a worthwhile gamble, but Harden staying healthy from June through October is a longshot.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 2 |
 Angels |
2 |
- |
2/12 |
The good: The A's traded Rich Harden, which means the Angels have less to worry about in the West. Vlad Guerrero's average has risen by more than 30 points since the start of June.
The bad: According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the Angels are out of the running for Matt Holliday. In that case, the missing pop will likely have to be supplied by what you see now.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 3 |
 Red Sox |
4 |
(+1) |
1/4 |
The good: The Rays slumped badly last week, thus making it so the Red Sox didn't have a big hill to climb out of the break.
The bad: David Ortiz will miss the All-Star Game, but should be back at the end of this month. The question is, will he be full strength?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 4 |
 Rays |
1 |
(-3) |
1/24 |
The good: The right move was made and Evan Longoria was added to the AL All-Star team. Keep in mind that Longoria didn't even start the season with the big-league club.
The bad: The Rays proved to be human last week and sputtered badly heading into the break. With Boston and New York chasing, there can be no spillover after the break.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 5 |
 White Sox |
5 |
- |
5/19 |
The good: The ChiSox lead the AL in homers and it's not even close. It's quite clear that either table setters or pitching help is what this team needs via trade.
The bad: The Twins got a dose of reality in Boston, but the ChiSox didn't exactly capitalize on it. This is a battle that may not end soon.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 6 |
 Twins |
8 |
(+2) |
6/26 |
The good: Just that the Twins are even in this position. Think back to when everyone chalked up this season to being a learning experience. Well, the only learning going on is how to be a legitimate contender.
The bad: The White Sox have almost doubled the number of homers the Twins have this season. Minnesota is near the bottom of the AL in that category.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 7 |
 Cardinals |
6 |
(-1) |
4/20 |
The good: Ryan Ludwick is heating up. The young slugger reached the 20-homer plateau before the break with a blast on Saturday. Ludwick has been exactly what so many feared the Cards didn’t have going into the season — a legit second threat after Albert Pujols.
The bad: Mark Mulder's return lasted less than an inning and sent a sign that the Cards may not be able to rely on their arms coming off the DL.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 8 |
 Brewers |
9 |
(+1) |
6/23 |
The good: Adding CC Sabathia gives the Brewers arguably the NL's best 1-2 punch. It's exciting for any organization to consummate the biggest deal of the summer, but rarely is it a team like Milwaukee.
The bad: The bullpen continues to have its moments. We're not sure that Salomon Torres is a long-term solution in the closer's role. Unfortunately, this looks like the bullpen crew the team will be stuck with for the remainder of the year.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 9 |
 Athletics |
10 |
(+1) |
7/25 |
The good: The A's don't look like a team with a bruised psyche after losing their ace. Truth be told, the A's probably got the better end of the deal with the Cubs in the long run.
The bad: Unless the A's go after some help on offense, they could flicker out over the next two months. It's not impossible that the A's could also be buyers.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 10 |
 Phillies |
7 |
(-3) |
5/16 |
The good: Ryan Howard is back in full swing, which means the Phils can bank on a playoff-caliber offense down the stretch.
The bad: The rotation remains a concern. Although Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick have been OK, nobody should bank on them over the next two months.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 11 |
 Mets |
18 |
(+7) |
5/20 |
The good: The Mets’ winning streak put them in prime position to be in first before the month is over. Perhaps this year will be the opposite of last season, with the Mets playing their best ball down the stretch.
The bad: Pedro had to leave his start early with shoulder pain. It appeared he had turned the corner, so this could be costly if it’s serious.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 12 |
 Yankees |
11 |
(-1) |
3/23 |
The good: Like the Red Sox, the Yanks enjoyed the spoils of the Rays' struggles last week. Andy Pettitte has allowed two runs or less in five of his last six outings.
The bad: In a season when the Yanks could really use some outside help at the deadline, they don't seem likely to get it. Perhaps a few years down the line it will pay off to hold onto all the youngsters. But then again, don't you have to take advantage of every season that you have A-Rod?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 13 |
 Marlins |
12 |
(-1) |
6/29 |
The good Since the Marlins aren’t likely to land much in the way of outside help, finding a gem like Chris Volstad could be key if they’re to remain in contention. Volstad looked like the real deal and could remedy a big team need.
The bad: You have to gasp anytime Hanley Ramirez winces. Now his other shoulder is bothering him. Any loss of Rarmirez would be a mortal blow to Florida’s chances.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 14 |
 Rangers |
13 |
(-1) |
13/30 |
The good: Ian Kinsler’s monster first half has deservedly landed him a spot on the All-Star roster. Kinsler may even be the AL MVP up to this point.
The bad: Splitting with the Angels isn’t exactly a good thing. The Rangers have a lot of work to do in the West, so any direct opportunity to close ground can’t be met with a split.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 15 |
 Tigers |
15 |
- |
3/27 |
The good: Although the Tigers offense hasn’t lived up to lofty March expectations, it does rank in the AL top five nearly across the board.
The bad: What happened against the Twins puts a sour end to a first half that was mixed with few highs and many lows. The Tigers had a chance in that series to put themselves in decent shape going into the break.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 16 |
 Blue Jays |
19 |
(+3) |
6/23 |
The good: The Jays had a nice week that was capped by a series win over the Yanks via two outstanding starts by Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett.
The bad: Vernon Wells is back on the DL, further crippling the offense. Perhaps a trade of Burnett will bring help.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 17 |
 Diamondbacks |
16 |
(-1) |
2/17 |
The good: As bad as it’s been — and it’s been bad — the D-backs still enter the break leading the West.
The bad: Don’t expect any major moves at the trade deadline. That was pretty much established when the D-backs landed Dan Haren. An offense that badly needs a shot in the arm probably won’t get it.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 18 |
 Orioles |
14 |
(-4) |
12/30 |
The good: Sure, the O’s are rapidly falling out of contention, but nobody expected them to be in the neighborhood of .500 at this point of the season.
The bad: Losing seven of eight before the break has the O’s deficit in the East in double figures.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 19 |
 Braves |
21 |
(+2) |
9/21 |
The good: Jeff Francoeur was called back up and has responded with improved production.
The bad: It’s not so much the amount of games, but the amount of the teams the Braves are behind in the East. It’s hard to imagine that much of a leapfrog after the break.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 20 |
 Dodgers |
17 |
(-3) |
5/21 |
The good: Even in a week that saw the Dodgers suffer a three-game losing streak, there was really no price to pay in the standings. The Dodgers are blessed to be in such a weak division.
The bad: The Dodgers missed an opportunity last week to be leading the West heading into the break.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 21 |
 Reds |
20 |
(-1) |
18/28 |
The good: The future looks incredibly bright with Edinson Volquez atop the rotation and Jay Bruce at or near the top of the lineup.
The bad: Aaron Harang bears much of the blame for the Reds being under .500. Now on the DL, Harang’s season has reached a low point.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 22 |
 Pirates |
23 |
(+1) |
17/29 |
The good: The offense has been there the entire first half. All-Star Nate McLouth has been a key part of it and certainly won’t be one those shipped off at the deadline.
The bad: The Bucs still have history to play for. Remember, they’re playing to avoid a record-setting 16th consecutive losing season.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 23 |
 Astros |
22 |
(-1) |
10/24 |
The good: Lance Berkman has put up an MVP-caliber season, Miguel Tejada has justified the Astros trading for him, and Carlos Lee has been, well, Carlos Lee.
The bad: All of the good things above have been wasted by bad pitching.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 24 |
 Royals |
25 |
(+1) |
22/29 |
The good: Mike Aviles has sparked the offense in recent weeks. Aviles has hit around .300 since his call-up at the end of May.
The bad: The Royals were a ninth-inning error away from sweeping the M’s going into the break. There can be no errors when you’ve scored the second fewest runs in the AL.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 25 |
 Indians |
27 |
(+2) |
1/27 |
The good: The Tribe still has their pride, as evidenced by their sweeping the Rays in a four-game series.
The bad: Even with the Rays sweep, the Indians are still double figures out in the Central. That's pretty bad considering the preseason hype in Cleveland.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 26 |
 Giants |
24 |
(-2) |
23/30 |
The good: The Giants take solace in knowing they have arguably the NL’s top starter in Tim Lincecum. Fans will take pride in seeing him throw in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
The bad The Giants didn’t win a game last week until downing the Cubs on Sunday.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 27 |
 Rockies |
26 |
(-1) |
10/30 |
The good: The Matt Holliday trade talks have died down. That means the Rox aren’t totally dead in the West race and an exciting product will remain on the field.
The bad: It appears certain that closer Brian Fuentes will be dealt sometime soon. After he goes, the bullpen could be a nightly fiasco unless Manny Corpas regains his ’07 form.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 28 |
 Padres |
29 |
(+1) |
17/30 |
The good: The Pads are doing the right thing by letting their youngsters get seasoning. Chase Headley has certainly lived up to the hype.
The bad: Greg Maddux hasn’t won a game since May despite owning a sub-4 ERA.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 29 |
 Mariners |
28 |
(-1) |
7/30 |
The good: Richie Sexson is finally gone. Releasing the former slugger was a good first step toward the housecleaning that needs to take place in Seattle.
The bad: The M’s are dead last in the AL in runs scored. But at least it’s an obvious starting point of the rebuild.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
| 30 |
 Nationals |
30 |
- |
24/30 |
The good: The Nats have four starters with ERAs of 4 or less. You don’t usually see that from a team with a sub-.400 win percentage.
The bad: Wily Mo Pena is feeling pain in his shoulder and will have it examined over the All-Star break. Yet another injury woe.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy |
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