Here we go! Year 15 of my MLB power rankings is underway.
Most everybody in the fan world is sure the Dodgers will be impossible to top this season. All they managed to do in this offseason was acquire two free agents Kyle Tucker, an amazingly smart and talented player who adds even more length to the lineup. And even after spending $72 million for former Orioles left-hander Tanner Scott — who learned there is a huge difference closing games in Miami and LA — they ponied up $69 million more in the next three years for Edwin Díaz, arguably the most dominant ninth-inning force in MLB.
But, hope springs eternal in each major league city — OK, maybe not in Denver, St. Louis or the part of Chicago where the White Sox reside.
But, don’t kid yourselves. There are plenty of intriguing teams, including four AL East teams in my top nine overall. The Yankees come in at No. 2 after sweeping the Giants on the road. The Red Sox are at No. 6, even after losing two of three in Cincinnati. The Orioles are No. 8. The Blue Jays, despite losing Bo Bichette to free agency and Anthony Santander to a shoulder injury for the entirety of 2026, have a formidable pitching staff that will make them compelling and competitive.
While the Tigers may lack some firepower on paper, they do have top prospect Kevin McGonigle as their shortstop. And if Tarik Skubal wasn’t enough at the top of their rotation, they snagged Framber Valdez to give themselves an amazing one-two punch prior to the possible departure of Skubal next offseason.
The Cubs are spending some of their vast resources by keeping some key players around for the long term with extensions for Pete-Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner.
The Mariners are an awfully good club and figure to pitch themselves into contention all year. The Brewers continue to defy all the experts and just win. The Mets have retooled and reshaped themselves.
Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Cleveland and Kansas City are solid baseball teams as well.
So, while the Dodgers clearly have a leg up and plenty of money to play at an entirely different level than anyone else, they still play the games for a reason.
Next week we’ll pick up with commentary on the top 10 teams and preview some of the best series of the upcoming week.
For now, here is my first MLB power rankings of the season:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (3-0)
2. New York Yankees (3-0)
3. Seattle Mariners (2-2)
4. Detroit Tigers (2-1)
5. Chicago Cubs (1-2)
6. Boston Red Sox (1-2)
7. New York Mets (2-1)
8. Baltimore Orioles (2-1)
9. Toronto Blue Jays (3-0)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (1-2)
11. Milwaukee Brewers (3-0)
12. Atlanta Braves (2-1)
13. Kansas City Royals (1-2)
14. Houston Astros (2-2)
15. Texas Rangers (2-1)
16. Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2)
17. Cincinnati Reds (2-1)
18. Cleveland Guardians (2-2)
19. Miami Marlins (3-0)
20. San Diego Padres (1-2)
21. Athletics (0-3)
22. San Francisco Giants (0-3)
23. Arizona Diamondbacks (0-3)
24. Tampa Bay Rays (1-2)
25. Los Angeles Angels (2-2)
26. Minnesota Twins (1-2)
27. Washington Nationals (2-1)
28. St. Louis Cardinals (2-1)
29. Chicago White Sox (0-3)
30. Colorado Rockies (0-3)