MLB Power Rankings: Where every team stands during the lockout
Welcome to the first offseason edition of theScore's MLB Power Rankings. Here, our editors rank each team based on what they did before the lockout while addressing the needs of each club moving forward.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays gave Wander Franco a record-breaking extension before signing former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and reliever Brooks Raley. With the exception of Nelson Cruz, Tampa Bay should return the core of its position players in 2022 that helped score the second-most runs in baseball. Finding a replacement for Joey Wendle and some rotation depth - Tyler Glasnow, Yonny Chirinos, and Brendan McKay are recovering from major injuries - should be the next step.
2. Houston Astros
The AL champs have re-signed Justin Verlander and added Hector Neris, who is essentially a replacement for Kendall Graveman. Carlos Correa remains a free agent, and while the Astros appear to be interested in bringing him back, the asking price looks to be above their comfort level. Alex Bregman is willing to move to shortstop if Correa doesn't return, which could leave a hole to fill at third. Additionally, the Astros would benefit from an upgrade in center field.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are still one of the most talented teams in the majors, but the cracks are starting to show. Even with Trea Turner at shortstop, Corey Seager's move to Texas is a massive loss. His left-handed bat was critical to the team's offense and leaves a gaping hole in the lineup. They need to add another bat, preferably one to play either first or second base. The pitching staff also needs to be addressed; Max Scherzer and Corey Knebel are already gone, while Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen could follow. Bounce-back candidate Andrew Heaney and useful bullpen arm Daniel Hudson aren't nearly enough.
4. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers added a much-needed power bat by acquiring Hunter Renfroe from the Red Sox. Seven NL teams hit more homers than Milwaukee last season and the club's .396 slugging percentage ranked in the Senior Circuit's bottom third. Renfroe will help in both categories after going deep 31 times with a .501 slugging percentage in 2021. The Brewers didn't end up losing much in free agency, which bodes well for a team that won 95 games.
5. Chicago White Sox
Like the Brewers, the White Sox aren't scrambling to fill holes caused by free-agent departures. Carlos Rodon, who enjoyed an All-Star campaign, is testing the open market. However, Chicago's rotation already has Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, and Dylan Cease; former top prospect Michael Kopech is expected to be a full-time starter in 2022. Meanwhile, an already excellent bullpen got better with the signing of Graveman, who accrued a 1.77 ERA with 10 saves last season. The trio of Graveman, Craig Kimbrel, and Liam Hendriks will be a tough task for opposing hitters late in games.
6. New York Mets
The Mets still don't have a manager, but they've got plenty of fresh star power thanks to Steve Cohen. The owner lured Scherzer to Flushing on a record contract; Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha, and stolen-base leader Starling Marte also signed ahead of the shutdown. However, losing the likes of Marcus Stroman, Javier Baez, Noah Syndergaard, and even Aaron Loup will hurt, while Michael Conforto also seems unlikely to return. The Mets still have plenty of work to do once transactions start up again.
7. Toronto Blue Jays
It's been a busy winter for the Blue Jays, who extended Jose Berrios and inked Kevin Gausman and Yimi Garcia. However, the team lost Marcus Semien, Robbie Ray, and Steven Matz. Although the young core remains intact, replacing Semien's production should be high on Ross Atkins' post-lockout to-do list. Toronto has spoken with Freddie Freeman's reps. Signing him would certainly do the trick.
8. San Francisco Giants
The Giants shocked many with a franchise-best 107 wins in 2021, but San Francisco has plenty of work to do when the offseason resumes. All-Star catcher Buster Posey retired, No. 1 starter Gausman joined the Blue Jays, and Kris Bryant is a free agent. The team did re-sign Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood, while also adding Alex Cobb. Unfortunately, those moves don't really move the needle if the plan is to contend for a World Series.
9. Atlanta Braves
The Braves didn't do much before the lockout, and it feels like they're in a holding pattern until the Freeman situation gets resolved. Freeman has been the heartbeat of this franchise for a decade, and though it's long been assumed he'd re-sign, his prolonged free agency might be an indication of what's to come. Losing Freeman would be disastrous to the Braves, with the potential ripple effects going well beyond hopes of a repeat. Until they get it settled, it's going to be a very tense winter for Atlanta.
10. Boston Red Sox
Boston's surprising swap of Renfroe for Jackie Bradley Jr. prior to the lockout capped an interesting offseason for Chaim Bloom. Eduardo Rodriguez will be missed, but Rich Hill and James Paxton (when healthy) should help fill that void in the short term. The Red Sox still have a powerful offense even if Kyle Schwarber departs, which will make up for a lot of their pitching woes. If nothing else, the Red Sox as presently constructed can still cause some problems in the AL East.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals rewarded Steven Matz for his rebound year with a $44-million contract. Matz will be a good fit in their rotation and is much more of a sure thing than some of the names they trotted out last year. Aside from that and a change of managers, it's been a relatively quiet offseason in St. Louis. The Cardinals may think they have enough to compete in the NL Central next year, and they're probably right. But it's also time for them to choose a direction long term.
12. New York Yankees
Yawn. The Yankees re-signed Joely Rodriguez, made minor trades involving Tyler Wade and Nick Nelson, and cut Clint Frazier and Rougned Odor. It's felt like the Yankees have been asleep this offseason. They badly need a shortstop and have been linked to glove-first types Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andrelton Simmons instead of game-changers Correa and Trevor Story. First base also remains a question mark, and the same goes for the rotation behind Gerrit Cole.
13. San Diego Padres
The Padres' biggest addition so far has been manager Bob Melvin. The veteran skipper is a three-time Manager of the Year and should help San Diego bounce back from a disappointing campaign after failing to make the playoffs. Jurickson Profar appears poised to start in the outfield with Tommy Pham's departure. The club is also waiting for a deal with Nick Martinez to be finalized. The right-hander, who starred in Japan, would round out a rotation that also includes Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, and Mike Clevinger.
14. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners were full of surprises last season when they finished 18 games above .500. The surprises continued this offseason when they dished out $115 million to sign Robbie Ray and trade for Adam Frazier. Seattle might not be finished, either. Jerry Dipoto recently said he wants to add an impact bat and the club has been linked to both Bryant and Story.
15. Philadelphia Phillies
Dealin' Dave Dombrowski hasn't made a gigantic splash for the Phillies this winter, but he's quietly added depth to areas of need. Corey Knebel was added to the bullpen mix, while Johan Camargo and Garrett Stubbs were brought in to fill bench roles. The Phillies appear to have their sights set on adding a center fielder, too. They were linked to Marte and have also discussed a Kevin Kiermaier trade with the Rays.
16. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers made a pair of big splashes, dishing out a combined $217 million between Javier Baez and Rodriguez. The two players instantly signal the end of Detroit's rebuild after a surprising 77-win campaign. The club now has a solid core with Baez, Rodriguez, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Akil Baddoo, and uber-prospect Spencer Torkelson.
17. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels addressed their rotation by signing Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen. Los Angeles' starters finished with a 4.78 ERA, which ranked 22nd in the majors last season. Syndergaard brings in a career 3.32 ERA, while Lorenzen will have to prove he can start again after working predominantly as a reliever since 2016. The Angels also brought back closer Raisel Iglesias. However, the team can't reach its high ceiling until Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani are all healthy and on the field together.
18. Miami Marlins
Miami continues to make strides toward respectability. Adding Jacob Stallings' Gold Glove behind the plate is a boon for their young and promising pitching staff that appears ready to turn the corner. Avisail Garcia is also the perfect mid-tier signing, an indication of the team's willingness and ability to spend again.
19. Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland hasn't done anything this offseason outside of changing its name to the Guardians. Jose Ramirez and Shane Bieber need help. In particular, the outfield is scarce with Myles Straw, Steven Kwan, and Bradley Zimmer projected to be the Opening Day starters.
20. Minnesota Twins
The Twins conducted a large piece of business by extending Byron Buxton, keeping the oft-injured outfielder for the next seven years. Otherwise, it's been pretty quiet in the Twin Cities. Free-agent signing Dylan Bundy could be a steal if he returns to his 2020 form. However, a rotation that finished 25th in ERA last season, and one that will be without injured righty Kenta Maeda, needs more additions.
21. Texas Rangers
No team spent quite like the Rangers this winter. Texas gave a combined half a billion dollars to Semien and Seager alone, deals that made Jon Gray's four-year, $56-million contract look minuscule. There's no doubt the Rangers have improved: Semien and Seager will hopefully anchor the club for the next half-decade, while Gray should benefit from leaving Coors Field. But the reality for the Rangers remains they're still in a rebuild, and some of their youngsters still need seasoning. All of these moves will help, just don't expect the results to show immediately.
22. Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are reportedly ready to shed payroll by trading away several star players, which could include some combination of Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montas, and Sean Manaea. Free agents Marte and Canha already joined the Mets, Yan Gomes signed with the Cubs, and manager Bob Melvin bolted for San Diego. Mitch Moreland, Jed Lowrie, and Josh Harrison are also looking for new deals. Oakland will likely look very different next season.
23. Cincinnati Reds
Andrew Knapp has been the lone big-league free agent signed by Cincinnati this offseason, Lorenzen departed for Anaheim, and Nick Castellanos opted out. The payroll purge was so drastic that the Reds let Wade Miley, one of their best pitchers in 2021, get scooped up by the Cubs on waivers. Fortunately, the club is in the same division as the Pirates, so they won't drop to last place - at least not in 2022.
24. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have made some head-scratching moves this winter. They spent $71 million on Marcus Stroman, claimed Miley and his $10-million salary on waivers, and signed veteran catcher Gomes after blowing up the roster last season. The Cubs need to do a lot more to be contenders in the NL Central, but at least it looks like they're trying to get better.
25. Colorado Rockies
It's been a quiet offseason for the Rockies, who exercised Charlie Blackmon's $21-million option, re-signed Jhoulys Chacin, and extended right-hander Antonio Senzatela and catcher Elias Diaz. Colorado is reportedly trying to bring back Story and apparently has interest in Bryant. Both players would be tremendous difference-makers on a club that played above .500 between July and September after an awful start.
26. Kansas City Royals
The Royals lost Wade Davis to retirement and Greg Holland to free agency. Outside of that, it's been a mellow offseason. The club has a sneaky good lineup with home run champ Salvador Perez, Whit Merrifield, and Adalberto Mondesi. Top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. is also expected to make his major-league debut in 2022. Kansas City still needs to address its rotation and bullpen during the offseason.
27. Washington Nationals
The page has officially been turned in Washington. Cesar Hernandez was the biggest signing for the Nationals and he feels like a pending July trade chip. Outside of a Juan Soto extension - which will cost more than a pretty penny - don't expect the Nats to do much more. The rebuild is on in D.C.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks didn't have many chances to close out games last season thanks to a 52-110 record, but they still signed veteran closer Mark Melancon. Aside from him, Arizona's biggest move has been trading for Jordan Luplow. A lot of work needs to be done in the desert if the D-Backs stand any chance of competing in the tough NL West.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates traded Gold Glove catcher Stallings to the Marlins and then proceeded to sign former Gold Glove backstop Roberto Perez. The move was a head-scratcher since Stallings will make almost half as much as Perez next season. The club also added veteran starter Jose Quintana. These minor pieces could end up being trade chips for a rebuilding team still years away from contending.
30. Baltimore Orioles
Surprisingly, the Orioles have already given out two big-league contracts this winter. What's not a shock is that those deals were given to Jordan Lyles and Rougned Odor, who are hardly going to make a difference. Odor doesn't even feel like a trade chip despite his league-minimum salary. It's a shame that a storied organization in a great baseball town continues to do absolutely nothing that resembles improvement.