MLB Power Rankings Spring 2007
New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins Head Preseason Power Rankings
With fifteen days to go until Opening Day 2007, these preseason MLB Power Rankings are a must-read for any fan of the National Pastime.
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From March 17, 2007
Snow is still on the ground in the Northeast. Temperatures have barely broken the 30 degree mark in the past few days. It's cold, it's icy, and it's a little bit depressing. It must be time for spring. It's certainly time for baseball. With just fifteen days to go until Opening Day 2007, it's time to take a look at which teams are poised to make a run for this year's World Series. Here is the first of an ongoing series of articles on the 2007 MLB Power Rankings.
5. The New York Mets: The Mets have the best offense in the National league. They are led by Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran. Their bullpen is also a plus, with veteran closer Billy Wagner returning to the stadium where he saved 40 games and posted a 2.24 ERA in 2006. The starting pitching is a little bit lacking, however. The aging trio of Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Tom Glavine will need to turn back the clock if the Mets want to repeat in the National League East. (See the complete Mets 2007 MLB Preview.)
4. The Detroit Tigers: The defending American League champions are the anti-Mets. This version of the Motown Nine has incredible starting pitching and a young but soon-to-be great bullpen. The team's offense will struggle to score runs, however, unless Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez can both have .300/35 HR/120 RBI seasons, which is quite possible. (See the complete Tigers 2007 MLB Preview.)
3. The Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies starting rotation could be tops in the National League in 2007. Freddy Garcia comes over from The Chicago White Sox to head a staff that includes young live arms Cole Hamels and Brett Myers. Their real strength is their potent offense. 2006 MVP Ryan Howard and super second baseman Chase Utley will lead an offense that brings back perennial 30 home run/100 RBI man Pat Burrell, the super speedy Jimmy Rollins and the versatile Shane Victorino. For the Phillies to win the National League East, however, they will need to pick up a tough veteran left-handed reliever. (Check out the entire Phillies 2007 MLB Preview.)
2. The Minnesota Twins: This team has 2006 MVP Justin Morneau, 2006 Batting Champion Joe Mauer, and defending Cy Young Award winner Johann Santana. The club also has a great young bullpen and a fantastic closer in Joe Nathan. With Brad Radke (retirement) and Francisco Liriano (elbow surgery) both gone this year, however, starters Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva will need to come through for the Twin City Killers. If they do, the Twins could reach the World Series for the first time since 1991. (Check out the complete Twins 2007 MLB Preview.)
1. The New York Yankees: Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui, Bobby Abreu, Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada. That is one heck of a lineup. The Yankees also have a solid, if not spectacular, starting rotation that includes last year’s 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang, career 239-game winner Mike Mussina and baseball's third-winningest pitcher since 1995, Andy Pettitte. Oh, and they have the greatest reliever in history, Mariano Rivera. If either Carl Pavano or newcomer Kei Igawa can pitch well, the Yankees will win it all for the first time since 2000. (Check out the complete Yankees 2007 MLB Preview.)
Remember to keep an eye on the MLB Power Rankings Series all season long.
