Post by Dodgers GM on Feb 4, 2011 18:03:58 GMT -5
These are major league-only rankings. This is not assessment of your organization as a whole or your job as a GM.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - All-around star-studded team, weak bullpen. Rotation: 2. Lineup: 2. Bullpen: 26.
2. Detroit Tigers - Another team with many stars, deep lineup, above average starting rotation, another weak bullpen. Rotation: 6. Lineup: 5. Bullpen: 28.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - A lot of young players with great potential. Strong 1-2 punch in the rotation, but question marks in the back end of the rotation. We'll see how the rest of the rotation is filled in. Rotation: 8. Lineup: 9. Bullpen: 7.
4. Boston Red Sox - Sacrificed hitting for pitching. Posey's development and Pedroia's health will play a huge role in how the offense turns out, but the rotation is strong and has a huge upside. Excellent bullpen with two strong closers and a third who might win the role before the season even starts. Rotation: 3. Lineup: 13. Bullpen: 1.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (yeah, seriously) - I might be a little biased, but Kemp was a 1st round pick just a year ago, and Ethier batted .392 with 14 HRs before breaking his pinky early in the season. Morales should hit ~35 HRs like he did a couple years back. Kershaw is a very talented young pitcher who gets lots of K's, but needs to work on his control. Billingsley, Hudson, and Stauffer are a young and talented set of pitchers, and Kuroda is solid and dependable. The bullpen is a weak spot, but Nunez is a decent source of saves and Jansen could be the setup man, or even the closer, before the end of the year. Watch out for a bounce-back year from Hardy. Rotation: 5. Lineup: 8. Bullpen: 13.
6. Texas Rangers - The recent trade of Josh Hamilton gave the Rangers one of the strongest rotations in the league. Although there is considerable risk, the upside is enormous. The major weaknesses are the question of playing time for the infield, now that the real life Rangers will be employing a carousel in their infield, and the ability of the outfielders to contribute to the offense. Rotation: 1. Lineup: 19. Bullpen: 8.
7. New York Yankees - They can only go down as they have to dump players to go under cap. Amazing lineup, but who's going to still be there by the start of the season? Rotation: 16. Lineup: 1. Bullpen: 22.
8. Cincinnati Reds - Fairly strong team that can make up for a weak starting rotation. Although Liriano could be a top fantasy pitcher this year (finished 2nd in xFIP last year behind Halladay, which is often considered the best indicator for future ERA), the rest of the rotation is below average. An all-around strong lineup that can challenge any team in every hitting category and a very strong and young bullpen make up for the weaknesses in the rotation after Liriano. Rotation: (Optimistically) 12. Lineup: 5. Bullpen: 3.
9. St. Louis Cardinals - A strong team with a few stars and some serviceable players in the weaker positions. The rotation has previously been one of the best in the league, but Carpenter and Wainwright have growing injury concerns. Garcia threw more innings last year than ever before, and may suffer regression as a result. An above-average lineup, but Pujols might be traded before the year's end. It seems likely that they will slip down the rankings as players leave and suffer injuries, but they could just as easily make a run deep into the playoffs. Rotation: 7. Lineup: 12. Bullpen: 17.
10. Philadelphia Phillies - Very weak starting rotation. Only 2 starters and neither is an ace. Very strong lineup and bullpen, but Martin and Phillips are both aging and regressing, and Hamilton is a huge injury risk despite his enormous talent. Probably will surpass the Yankees within the month. Rotation: 22. Lineup: 3. Bullpen: 5.
11. Milwaukee Brewers - Gallardo might be one of the most underrated fantasy pitchers. He's been one of the best in K's and above average in every other pitching category. Braun is still a first round talent despite an off-year and Fielder is all the brawn the team needs. McGehee should continue to improve and be an above-average 3B, and Rasmus will be huge in HRs, SBs, and Runs. A great pen with a few great young relievers. The only weakness is #2-#5 in the rotation, but it's not terrible. Rotation: 18. Lineup: 4. Bullpen: 6.
12. Atlanta Braves - An optimistic ranking, but they are a great young team. Two of the best young relievers in the game in Kimbrel and Venters, and four outstanding hitters (although don't expect Cargo to repeat last year's numbers). The only thing keeping them out of the top 1/3 is their absolutely mediocre rotation. Hudson is a risky and aging starter, Lowe, although consistent, is not a quality pitcher anymore, and Jurrjens is a huge question mark. Signing a top starter could push them above the Yankees and even into the top 5. Rotation: 26. Lineup: 7. Bullpen: 4.
13. Houston Astros - Fairly solid team. Some risky players who are coming off career years like Young and Pence. Morneau's health is becoming an issue and Target Field is not friendly to hitters. Chris Johnson is a great sleeper and might finish top 10 in 3B, but the offense is average overall. Great pitching from Price to Latos to Sanchez to Volquez. Sanchez and Volquez both give up a little too many walks, but both are solid fantasy options. Good closer in Valverde, but most of the pen is incomplete. Rotation: 4. Lineup: 17. Bullpen: 20.
14. Seattle Mariners - Only a few stars, but many solid players and an all-around solid team. No stand-out strengths or weaknesses. Rotation: 9. Lineup: 16. Bullpen: 9.
15. Florida Marlins - Fairly average, but solid rotation. A few great hitters make this team much better than they should be. Let's put it this way: If the Marlins win their division, HanRam will be the MVP for the year. Rotation: 17. Lineup: 14. Bullpen: 23.
16. Baltimore Orioles - Difficult to rank because of the pitching rotation. Roy Halladay on top, but completely empty after him. Halladay can make any rotation good, but can O's even get a #3 pitcher? Rotation: 20. Lineup: 22. Bullpen: 14.
17. Washington Nationals - Optimistic about the young talent, but the ownership has completely obliterated any chance the Nats would have had in a few years. Lee is on his way down, Roberts is a back injury away from less than 10 SBs a season, and Beltran is going to be unproductive in Citifield. Above average rotation, but some huge contracts are going to stop the Nats from improving any further. Expect them to fall as FA continues. Rotation: 13. Lineup: 20. Bullpen: 15.
18. Colorado Rockies - A good young team that will improve immensely in a few years. The infield is a little weak aside from Mauer, but the corner outfielders are above average. The pitching rotation is headed by Roy Oswalt, who's coming off one of his best years. Hellickson will be in the running for AL Rookie of the Year, but he will probably have an innings cap and waver towards the end of the year. Freeman will be an excellent replacement for Helton when he leaves Colorado. The bullpen is extremely weak and needs to be addressed in free agency. Rotation: 14. Lineup: 15. Bullpen: 29.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates - They've done a great job so far doing something with nothing. Wright, Mccutch, and Dunn form the foundation for a strong lineup and Marcum vastly improves what could have been the worst rotation of all time. Although they've lost both of their young relievers, Rauch is a solid reliever as well. All in all, Pittsburgh fans should have something to cheer about this year (not finishing with the worst record in the majors). Rotation: 23. Lineup: 11. Bullpen: 27.
20. Chicago Cubs - A pretty good offense, but awful pitching. Howard is extremely overrated and generally only contributes in HRs and RBIs. Stubbs is a strong player, but Bautista and Hart are risks and possible one-year-wonders. In a few years when Strasburg is back to full strength and Stubbs improves his AVG, this team may be good, but for now, don't expect any miracles. Rotation: 28. Lineup: 10. Bullpen: 16.
21. Minnesota Twins - Fairly average team. No stars, but plenty of players who will contribute. May drop in the rankings as other teams fill out their team. Rotation: 15. Lineup: 23. Bullpen: 10.
22. Cleveland Indians - Extremely risky team. Very high upside, very high risk. Lots of injury prone players. If even half their lineup plays 140 games, they will shoot up the list, but terrible pitching will keep them anchored in the bottom half. Rotation: 24. Lineup: 18. Bullpen: 30.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks - Some good players, like Weaver, but overall the team isn't great. Lee is on his way out, Ichiro can't keep it up much longer, Reynolds is a .150 AVG waiting to happen, Broxton is on the hot seat and has three competent relievers waiting to take his job. No real upside, mostly little risk. Rotation: 19. Lineup: 21. Bullpen: 21.
24. Toronto Blue Jays - Young team. Success will come in ~3 years, but now they are just sitting in the basement of the AL East. Haren is somewhat risky after starting off very slowly last year, and Edwin Jackson has never been a sure thing. Rotation: 21. Lineup: 26. Bullpen: 24.
25. Oakland Athletics - Great young rotation. Awful, awful hitting. Their pitching would help them go above .500 in real life, but here, their pitching will only win them ~5 out of 14 categories a week. Rotation: 11. Lineup: 28. Bullpen: 11.
26. Chicago White Sox - See Athletics. Rotation: 10. Lineup: 29. Bullpen: 19.
27. San Francisco Giants - Rebuilding. They'll be the best team in 3 years, so they shouldn't be too concerned. Rotation: 27. Lineup: 24. Bullpen: 25.
28. New York Mets - The team is filled, but almost every player is mediocre. Alvarez, Espinosa, and Tabata will be good soon, but won't make up for the weak offense. Much like the Athletics, but without the pitching. When your closer is your best player, you're in trouble. Rotation: 25. Lineup: 25. Bullpen: 12.
29. San Diego Padres - Another rebuilding team. V-Mart's signing didn't make much of an impact and the team is mediocre overall. The Padres better hope that their minor leagues make a big splash. Rotation: 29. Lineup: 27. Bullpen: 18.
30. Kansas City Royals - Fairly unrankable considering they don't really have anyone on their team. Best two players are in the bullpen. Rotation: 30. Lineup: 30. Bullpen: 2.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - All-around star-studded team, weak bullpen. Rotation: 2. Lineup: 2. Bullpen: 26.
2. Detroit Tigers - Another team with many stars, deep lineup, above average starting rotation, another weak bullpen. Rotation: 6. Lineup: 5. Bullpen: 28.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - A lot of young players with great potential. Strong 1-2 punch in the rotation, but question marks in the back end of the rotation. We'll see how the rest of the rotation is filled in. Rotation: 8. Lineup: 9. Bullpen: 7.
4. Boston Red Sox - Sacrificed hitting for pitching. Posey's development and Pedroia's health will play a huge role in how the offense turns out, but the rotation is strong and has a huge upside. Excellent bullpen with two strong closers and a third who might win the role before the season even starts. Rotation: 3. Lineup: 13. Bullpen: 1.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (yeah, seriously) - I might be a little biased, but Kemp was a 1st round pick just a year ago, and Ethier batted .392 with 14 HRs before breaking his pinky early in the season. Morales should hit ~35 HRs like he did a couple years back. Kershaw is a very talented young pitcher who gets lots of K's, but needs to work on his control. Billingsley, Hudson, and Stauffer are a young and talented set of pitchers, and Kuroda is solid and dependable. The bullpen is a weak spot, but Nunez is a decent source of saves and Jansen could be the setup man, or even the closer, before the end of the year. Watch out for a bounce-back year from Hardy. Rotation: 5. Lineup: 8. Bullpen: 13.
6. Texas Rangers - The recent trade of Josh Hamilton gave the Rangers one of the strongest rotations in the league. Although there is considerable risk, the upside is enormous. The major weaknesses are the question of playing time for the infield, now that the real life Rangers will be employing a carousel in their infield, and the ability of the outfielders to contribute to the offense. Rotation: 1. Lineup: 19. Bullpen: 8.
7. New York Yankees - They can only go down as they have to dump players to go under cap. Amazing lineup, but who's going to still be there by the start of the season? Rotation: 16. Lineup: 1. Bullpen: 22.
8. Cincinnati Reds - Fairly strong team that can make up for a weak starting rotation. Although Liriano could be a top fantasy pitcher this year (finished 2nd in xFIP last year behind Halladay, which is often considered the best indicator for future ERA), the rest of the rotation is below average. An all-around strong lineup that can challenge any team in every hitting category and a very strong and young bullpen make up for the weaknesses in the rotation after Liriano. Rotation: (Optimistically) 12. Lineup: 5. Bullpen: 3.
9. St. Louis Cardinals - A strong team with a few stars and some serviceable players in the weaker positions. The rotation has previously been one of the best in the league, but Carpenter and Wainwright have growing injury concerns. Garcia threw more innings last year than ever before, and may suffer regression as a result. An above-average lineup, but Pujols might be traded before the year's end. It seems likely that they will slip down the rankings as players leave and suffer injuries, but they could just as easily make a run deep into the playoffs. Rotation: 7. Lineup: 12. Bullpen: 17.
10. Philadelphia Phillies - Very weak starting rotation. Only 2 starters and neither is an ace. Very strong lineup and bullpen, but Martin and Phillips are both aging and regressing, and Hamilton is a huge injury risk despite his enormous talent. Probably will surpass the Yankees within the month. Rotation: 22. Lineup: 3. Bullpen: 5.
11. Milwaukee Brewers - Gallardo might be one of the most underrated fantasy pitchers. He's been one of the best in K's and above average in every other pitching category. Braun is still a first round talent despite an off-year and Fielder is all the brawn the team needs. McGehee should continue to improve and be an above-average 3B, and Rasmus will be huge in HRs, SBs, and Runs. A great pen with a few great young relievers. The only weakness is #2-#5 in the rotation, but it's not terrible. Rotation: 18. Lineup: 4. Bullpen: 6.
12. Atlanta Braves - An optimistic ranking, but they are a great young team. Two of the best young relievers in the game in Kimbrel and Venters, and four outstanding hitters (although don't expect Cargo to repeat last year's numbers). The only thing keeping them out of the top 1/3 is their absolutely mediocre rotation. Hudson is a risky and aging starter, Lowe, although consistent, is not a quality pitcher anymore, and Jurrjens is a huge question mark. Signing a top starter could push them above the Yankees and even into the top 5. Rotation: 26. Lineup: 7. Bullpen: 4.
13. Houston Astros - Fairly solid team. Some risky players who are coming off career years like Young and Pence. Morneau's health is becoming an issue and Target Field is not friendly to hitters. Chris Johnson is a great sleeper and might finish top 10 in 3B, but the offense is average overall. Great pitching from Price to Latos to Sanchez to Volquez. Sanchez and Volquez both give up a little too many walks, but both are solid fantasy options. Good closer in Valverde, but most of the pen is incomplete. Rotation: 4. Lineup: 17. Bullpen: 20.
14. Seattle Mariners - Only a few stars, but many solid players and an all-around solid team. No stand-out strengths or weaknesses. Rotation: 9. Lineup: 16. Bullpen: 9.
15. Florida Marlins - Fairly average, but solid rotation. A few great hitters make this team much better than they should be. Let's put it this way: If the Marlins win their division, HanRam will be the MVP for the year. Rotation: 17. Lineup: 14. Bullpen: 23.
16. Baltimore Orioles - Difficult to rank because of the pitching rotation. Roy Halladay on top, but completely empty after him. Halladay can make any rotation good, but can O's even get a #3 pitcher? Rotation: 20. Lineup: 22. Bullpen: 14.
17. Washington Nationals - Optimistic about the young talent, but the ownership has completely obliterated any chance the Nats would have had in a few years. Lee is on his way down, Roberts is a back injury away from less than 10 SBs a season, and Beltran is going to be unproductive in Citifield. Above average rotation, but some huge contracts are going to stop the Nats from improving any further. Expect them to fall as FA continues. Rotation: 13. Lineup: 20. Bullpen: 15.
18. Colorado Rockies - A good young team that will improve immensely in a few years. The infield is a little weak aside from Mauer, but the corner outfielders are above average. The pitching rotation is headed by Roy Oswalt, who's coming off one of his best years. Hellickson will be in the running for AL Rookie of the Year, but he will probably have an innings cap and waver towards the end of the year. Freeman will be an excellent replacement for Helton when he leaves Colorado. The bullpen is extremely weak and needs to be addressed in free agency. Rotation: 14. Lineup: 15. Bullpen: 29.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates - They've done a great job so far doing something with nothing. Wright, Mccutch, and Dunn form the foundation for a strong lineup and Marcum vastly improves what could have been the worst rotation of all time. Although they've lost both of their young relievers, Rauch is a solid reliever as well. All in all, Pittsburgh fans should have something to cheer about this year (not finishing with the worst record in the majors). Rotation: 23. Lineup: 11. Bullpen: 27.
20. Chicago Cubs - A pretty good offense, but awful pitching. Howard is extremely overrated and generally only contributes in HRs and RBIs. Stubbs is a strong player, but Bautista and Hart are risks and possible one-year-wonders. In a few years when Strasburg is back to full strength and Stubbs improves his AVG, this team may be good, but for now, don't expect any miracles. Rotation: 28. Lineup: 10. Bullpen: 16.
21. Minnesota Twins - Fairly average team. No stars, but plenty of players who will contribute. May drop in the rankings as other teams fill out their team. Rotation: 15. Lineup: 23. Bullpen: 10.
22. Cleveland Indians - Extremely risky team. Very high upside, very high risk. Lots of injury prone players. If even half their lineup plays 140 games, they will shoot up the list, but terrible pitching will keep them anchored in the bottom half. Rotation: 24. Lineup: 18. Bullpen: 30.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks - Some good players, like Weaver, but overall the team isn't great. Lee is on his way out, Ichiro can't keep it up much longer, Reynolds is a .150 AVG waiting to happen, Broxton is on the hot seat and has three competent relievers waiting to take his job. No real upside, mostly little risk. Rotation: 19. Lineup: 21. Bullpen: 21.
24. Toronto Blue Jays - Young team. Success will come in ~3 years, but now they are just sitting in the basement of the AL East. Haren is somewhat risky after starting off very slowly last year, and Edwin Jackson has never been a sure thing. Rotation: 21. Lineup: 26. Bullpen: 24.
25. Oakland Athletics - Great young rotation. Awful, awful hitting. Their pitching would help them go above .500 in real life, but here, their pitching will only win them ~5 out of 14 categories a week. Rotation: 11. Lineup: 28. Bullpen: 11.
26. Chicago White Sox - See Athletics. Rotation: 10. Lineup: 29. Bullpen: 19.
27. San Francisco Giants - Rebuilding. They'll be the best team in 3 years, so they shouldn't be too concerned. Rotation: 27. Lineup: 24. Bullpen: 25.
28. New York Mets - The team is filled, but almost every player is mediocre. Alvarez, Espinosa, and Tabata will be good soon, but won't make up for the weak offense. Much like the Athletics, but without the pitching. When your closer is your best player, you're in trouble. Rotation: 25. Lineup: 25. Bullpen: 12.
29. San Diego Padres - Another rebuilding team. V-Mart's signing didn't make much of an impact and the team is mediocre overall. The Padres better hope that their minor leagues make a big splash. Rotation: 29. Lineup: 27. Bullpen: 18.
30. Kansas City Royals - Fairly unrankable considering they don't really have anyone on their team. Best two players are in the bullpen. Rotation: 30. Lineup: 30. Bullpen: 2.
