FanNation

Good morning ladies!  So with the approaching new year I am making my annual rankings as of this time in the off season...  And even though my heart is that of the Detroit Tigers I don't want to jinx anyone let alone not be objective in my point of view...  So let me know what you think...

American League Power Rankings.

• 1. Boston Red Sox-

Defending world champs have their work cut out for them, no major moves have been completed as of yet.  But since they already took it all this previous year with the team they still have now- then I think they come into this race in first.  They brought back everyone they could from the original staff outside of Gagne (who only cost them more than anything).  Their hitting line-up is one no pitcher wants to take on but if their leadoff hitter doesn't set the tone- then Big Papi and Manny have no one to bring home.  If the Red Sox pick up Johan Santana then they own the first place position.  If they don't- well then consider this a shared position with the number 2...

• 2. Detroit Tigers-

Detroit made major moves a day after the World Series ended in picking up one of the best short stops in the game in Edgar Renteria.  Traded  mediocre relievers with the Rockies.  Then moved heaven and earth and landed the Marlins (only two) All-Stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis both of which were independently sought after by many teams in exchange for Detroit 2 most prized prospects and 4 other decent players, one of which, Mike Robello looks to be the Marlins starting catcher.  With a hitting line-up comprised of Granderson, Polanco, Cabrera, Ordonez, Sheffield, Guillen, Rodriguez, Renteria, and Jones.  And a pitching lineup of Verlander, Bonderman, Willis, Rodgers, Robertson you have a formidable line-up.  The bullpen is questionable though which leaves the entire situation vulnerable...

• 3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-

Picking up a 6^th starting pitcher is no joke, giving up Orlando Cabrera for it though to the White Sox in exchange for Garland, well, that's another story.  I think the gaining of Garland gave the Angels the availability of excess pitching to get Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins but that didn't really go anywhere.  They signed Torii Hunter to the out field and displaced Gary Matthews Jr to a 4^th OF position only helps their cause.  I don't think the Halos are out of wheeling and dealing any time soon with their open needs at other infield positions and an excess starting pitcher on the books and plenty of prospects in the system so that said, there isn't much room out there available for moving up but if anyone can, it's them...

• 4. Cleveland Indians-

Cleveland was one game away from the world series last post season.  And with not a significant major move made thus far, I still see things as a potential Wild Card position coming to the same situation with the hard hitting Yankees coming up a close 5^th.  Truth is, they still need a hard hitting corner outfielder and another starting pitcher would be great as this is probably C.C.'s last year on the staff leaving Fausto Carmona (last years where the heck did that guy come from pitcher) to shoulder a lot of weight in 09.  But that's another story.  Get a starting pitcher of the ace like and a corner outfielder that hits consistently then you'll own this Wild Card Cleveland.  If not, you might find yourself bumped by a Yankees team determined for another post season...

• 5. New York Yankees-

As I eluded to in the number four position that the Yankees are a team not to be left out.  And generally it's when they are written off that they turn things in the right direction for the club.  The Yankees have some great young arms but still need an ace in the rotation to make this coming post season.  And without Johan Santana on the books it's hard if not virtually impossible.  Make the darn trade Hank- you're Yankees is the only team that will make Bostons' run for the AL East hard and that's with Santana in your clubhouse, not theirs...

• 6. Toronto Blue Jays-

This is where it starts getting dicey kids...  Toronto has a lot of the parts but is missing a few of the pieces still.  I think they could focus on getting another starter pitcher and then they could have a better position to make a run at Boston and New York but yeah...  They are still gonna be 3^rd in the AL East and I would expect 8 to 10 games out of the Wild Card when it's all said and done.

• 7. Seattle Mariners-

Good squad but needs a better, or perhaps more consistent effort form it's pitchers.  Not to mention the fact one person cannot do it all and Ichiro, while a fantastic player that cannot be underestimated, still just cannot do it all...  They have a good out look and attitude but still just too many needs to be considered a viable organization to make a run at the post season.

• 8. Texas Rangers-

The Rangers have pulled in some fantastic prospects into their fold through various trades made last season and a little bit this off season, but while their further out future seems bright.  The time is just not right now...  But regardless they are a team that could surprise you so they make the middle.

• 9. Minnesota Twins-

This is reliant on their current squad still holding the best pitcher in baseball by the name of Johan Santana.  They should also be helped by having Liriano back and healthy to be back at form.  But if Santana goes and all they have are more future stars, it will greatly impact this power ranking and move them down to probably 13^th to 14^th place ultimately.

• 10. Chicago White Sox

Ken Williams had a daunting task ahead of him on making this club the central power it was 2 years ago again.  We have seen the White Sox over run in most of its efforts by the Halos and the Tigers.  They talk a good game and did get the hot Orlando Cabrera into their order, but that is not enough.  And it won't be enough to really make much of a run at anything.  I think Ken and Ozzie made it work for the World Series once, but it's not gonna happen again for awhile.  They are better than a below .500 team but with the Indians and Tigers in their division and so many other good squads in the AL, the chips are not in their favor.  I think they have a lot of worthwhile players that could fetch some great prospects from the market the way it is now.  They should blow up and rebuild.  And while it would move them down as well to a lower level.  They should at least pull their head outta the sand and look at the world around them and see, it's not gonna be a pretty couple of years.

• 11. Oakland A's-

They traded Haren for a plethora of potential talent and still have more that could be delt, the problem is their ageing hitters that could still pull in some talent for their future but 08 isn't painting a rosey future.

• 12. Kansas City Royals-

A good try but still just trying to keep up the steins isn't gonna get this ball club anywhere.  Bannister is their real ray of sunshine along with a possible star in Gordon but they're gonna take time.  Hopefully these guys can be held onto before they break out and go free agent on them.

13.  Tampa Bay (devil) Rays-

Some decent pick up aren't really gonna change anything for this organization.  But then it could be worse...  But only by falling one more place down.

• 13. Baltimore Orioles-

Yeah, see- they're blowing up and rebuilding like they should have 3 years ago.  Congrats Baltimore, you're still a day late and a dollar short.  As usual.

Tomorrow we take on the NL...