Saturday, November 23, 2024

MLB offseason power rankings: Juan Soto sweepstakes defines winter after Dodgers’ title

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For the next 100 days, 30 Major League Baseball franchises will change their shapes, increase their ceilings, dream big and buy low, all in service of improving by the time pitchers and catchers reassemble in February.

Yet all of them have to start their grand offseason remakes in some position, be it of strength or futility. Before the first major trade, free agent signing or startling release takes place, USA TODAY Sports ranks the 30 clubs from top to bottom, with defections and expected departures already reshaping the landscape.

A look at our post-World Series rankings:

DODGERS WIN WORLD SERIES: Celebrate with this commemorative coffee table book!

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Until proven otherwise. Related: They gotta re-sign Walker Buehler, right?

2. San Diego Padres

  • Who knew the NLDS was really a de facto World Series?

3. Philadelphia Phillies

  • Perhaps still the best on paper. But you gotta win at some point.

4. New York Yankees

5. Milwaukee Brewers

  • The young core is pretty darn scary.

6. New York Mets

  • The first big winter pairing Steve Cohen’s checkbook with David Stearns’ ruthless pragmatism.

7. Atlanta Braves

  • Can Chris Sale repeat his Cy Young-worthy performance?

8. Kansas City Royals

  • 2025 might be Cole Ragans’ year to win a Cy Young Award.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks

  • Pitching should be healthier, but is Christian Walker gone?

10. Baltimore Orioles

  • Suddenly look very thin in the pitching department.

11. Cleveland Guardians

  • Can’t survvie in AL Central with minimal external help.

12. Detroit Tigers

  • Would look daunting with a solid free agent pitching acquisition.

13. Minnesota Twins

  • Will shaking up the hitting department prevent season-killing slumps?

14. Houston Astros

  • Jose Altuve would look awfully lonely if they allow Alex Bregman to leave.

15. Chicago Cubs

  • They seem due for a difference-making acquisition.

16. Texas Rangers

  • Really interesting if Jacob deGrom comes back as Jacob deGrom.

17. San Francisco Giants

  • Cupboard’s not bare, amibitions are high.

18. Seattle Mariners

  • Don’t seem to have the heart to remake offense in one winter.

19. Cincinnati Reds

  • Terry Francona probably didn’t come back if they didn’t have plans.

20. St. Louis Cardinals

  • Nolan Arenado turns 34 in April.

21. Boston Red Sox

  • Remember when they made things interesting over the winter?

22. Tampa Bay Rays

23. Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Been a decade since their last playoff appearance.

24. Toronto Blue Jays

  • Does Vladdy need to see signs of improvement to be convinced to stay?

25. Washington Nationals

  • Seems like it’s about time to start spending some cash again.

26. Los Angeles Angels

  • First goal should be to finish ahead of Sacramento.

27. Colorado Rockies

  • Is it Chase Dollander time in the rotation?

28. (Sacramento) Athletics

  • Perhaps river rafting and craft beer can be used in recruiting pitches.

29. Miami Marlins

  • Sandy Alcantara should be ready for Opening Day start.

30. Chicago White Sox

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