MLB Power Rankings: Where Red Sox stand as spring training begins initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Baseball is again.
Pitchers and catchers will report back to spring coaching on Feb. 15 or 16. Place gamers will report on both the twentieth or twenty first. A few of the gamers collaborating within the World Baseball Traditional have already got reported for responsibility. We’ll be handled to televised video games beginning on Feb. 24.
Tomase: Projecting the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster
Earlier than all of the motion, it is price seeing how all 30 MLB groups stack up as we head into the 2023 season. The rosters are just about set, so how do they examine in opposition to each other on paper?
30. Washington Nationals
It’s one other rebuild yr for a Washington membership that would lose greater than 100 video games once more this season. The Nats will merely hope to see their younger weapons — particularly Keibert Ruiz, CJ Abrams, Josiah Grey and MacKenzie Gore — take a step ahead of their growth. The long run seems vibrant, however it’ll be fairly some time earlier than they’re again to competing within the stacked Nationwide League East.
29. Oakland Athletics
The A’s are within the midst of a rebuild of their very own. Their large transfer this offseason was buying and selling star catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves, making their roster much more unrecognizable. One of many gamers acquired within the deal, Esteury Ruiz, can be enjoyable to observe together with his elite pace.
Oakland additionally was pretty lively in free company, signing infielder Aledmys Díaz, righties Trevor Could and Shintaro Fujinami, utilityman Jace Peterson, and first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Maybe this A’s membership might be scrappy, however the extra doubtless state of affairs is one other 100-loss marketing campaign.
28. Cincinnati Reds
It’ll be one other lengthy season in Cincinnati, although it might be price it because the group seems to be arrange for a brighter future. The Reds have stocked up on younger expertise and have a bunch of intriguing prospects within the pipeline. They’ll hope to see promising pitchers Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo take the following step in 12 months 2 of their big-league careers.
27. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers don’t have a complete lot going for them proper now. Their farm system ranks lifeless final within the league, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law. The large-league membership doesn’t look rather more promising. Detroit might shock if the beginning pitching does its half and Spencer Torkelson has a breakout yr after a tough rookie marketing campaign, however they seem like the last-place staff within the AL Central.
26. Colorado Rockies
Rockies proprietor Dick Monfort stated the Rockies “can play .500 ball” in 2023. That’s extremely uncertain. Colorado did just about nothing to enhance its roster this offseason after going 68-94 in 2022. All it could actually hope for is a bounce-back season for Kris Bryant, who performed in solely 42 video games final yr as a result of a foot damage.
25. Kansas Metropolis Royals
The Royals most likely gained’t win many video games in 2023, however they might nonetheless be enjoyable to observe. Bobby Witt Jr. headlines the listing of younger, proficient gamers within the group. He’ll look to construct off a stable rookie marketing campaign by which he hit 20 homers and swiped 30 bases.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are heading in the right direction. They’ve a deep farm system and after a 100-loss season in 2022, they made some additions to the big-league roster that ought to assist them no less than be watchable. Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen returned to the place he spent his first 9 big-league seasons, plus the Carlos Santana signing provides one other veteran presence who can deliver some pop to the lineup.
They be a part of an attention-grabbing group that features All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds, up-and-coming shortstop Oneil Cruz, and Gold Glove-caliber third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Not but a membership constructed to compete, however it might be a enjoyable one nonetheless.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks
I might put the Diamondbacks within the “sleeper” class this yr. There’s expertise everywhere in the roster, from high outfield prospect Corbin Carroll to infielders Christian Walker and Ketel Marte, and right-hander Zac Gallen. They aren’t able to compete with the titans of the NL West, however they might make some noise in 2023.
22. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs made some vital additions to their roster as they appear to compete with the Cardinals and Brewers within the NL Central. Star shortstop Dansby Swanson is the plain one, however additionally they added veterans Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer to stabilize the primary base place and the clubhouse. Whereas they might have used a real frontline starter, Jameson Taillon ought to deliver a lift to the rotation.
21. Baltimore Orioles
The O’s shocked everybody final season by posting an 83-79 report and flirting with a playoff spot. Can they do it once more? With high MLB prospect Gunnar Henderson becoming a member of second-year catcher Adley Rutshman within the suddenly-scary lineup, there’s a powerful likelihood. The large concern is the pitching employees, which didn’t add a lot expertise this offseason exterior Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin.
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Adley Rutschman and the O’s look to construct off a promising 2022 marketing campaign.
20. Miami Marlins
The Marlins be a part of the D’Backs on my “sleeper” listing. There’s some severe potential right here with the reigning AL batting champion, Luis Arraez, becoming a member of the lineup. Additionally they signed infielder Jean Segura and veteran righty Johnny Cueto in free company. Jazz Chisholm Jr. — the MLB The Present 23 cowl athlete and some of the thrilling younger gamers in baseball — will transfer to heart discipline.
The important thing to Miami’s season can be enchancment from the offense, as a result of the pitching can be simply positive with defending NL Cy Younger winner Sandy Alcantara on the high of a proficient rotation.
19. Chicago White Sox
This offseason has been a catastrophe for the White Sox. Signing Andrew Benintendi to a five-year, $75 million was their greatest transfer. Their solely different notable addition, right-hander Mike Clevinger, is underneath investigation for home violence and little one abuse.
There’s nonetheless hope for a bounce-back season with a loaded lineup, a rotation that features a Cy Younger candidate in Dylan Stop, and a stable bullpen. They only could not have accomplished sufficient to maintain up with the Guardians and Twins within the division.
18. San Francisco Giants
To say this offseason has been irritating for Giants followers can be a large understatement. First, they misplaced the Aaron Decide sweepstakes. Then, there was the entire Carlos Correa saga. The star shortstop was preparing for his introductory press convention when it was revealed the deal fell by means of as a result of a failed bodily.
As for the offers San Francisco did make, it improved its outfield by signing Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto. Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling had been added to a rotation that lose ace Carlos Rodon in free company to the Yankees. This seems just like the third-place staff within the NL West behind the Padres and Dodgers, although don’t be shocked if Arizona has one thing to say about that.
17. Boston Crimson Sox
No staff has a wider vary of potential outcomes in 2023 than the Crimson Sox. Their tumultuous offseason included an enormous quantity of turnover on the roster and was highlighted by the departure of homegrown shortstop Xander Bogaerts. They made a number of upgrades and intriguing additions — notably within the bullpen — however shedding Bogaerts in free company and Trevor Story to elbow surgical procedure has forged a cloud of pessimism over town of Boston coming into the brand new marketing campaign.
Tomase: How Red Sox can massively benefit from change in schedule
Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, veteran infielder Justin Turner, and outfielder Adam Duvall will look to fill the voids within the lineup left by Bogaerts, Story, and J.D. Martinez. As for the beginning rotation, it has a excessive upside however a particularly low ground with the oft-injured Chris Sale, getting older Corey Kluber, up-and-coming Brayan Bello, reliever-turned-starter Garrett Whitlock, and hot-and-cold Nick Pivetta. In the event that they maintain up their finish of the discount, this can be a staff that would sneak into the playoffs. That’s a enormous “if” and one in every of many for the 2023 membership.
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Can Chris Sale lastly keep wholesome? That can be one of many many keys to a profitable Sox season.
16. Los Angeles Angels
Accidents plagued the Angels in 2022, so that they made strikes to forestall the identical points from ruining their 2023 marketing campaign. The signings of Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela add much-needed depth to the infield. Left-hander Tyler Anderson is an underrated addition to the beginning rotation and outfielder Hunter Renfroe will add some pop to the lineup. It is a membership that may end above .500 if superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani keep wholesome, however they nonetheless lag behind the Astros and Mariners within the division race.
15. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have wanted pitching for years now and so they lastly went all out to deal with that situation this offseason. They signed two-time Cy Younger award winner Jacob deGrom to anchor an overhauled rotation that additionally contains ex-Crimson Sox hurlers Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez, Jon Grey, Andrew Heaney, and Jake Odorizzi.
If that group can keep away from the damage bug, Texas seems like a membership that may take a big step ahead in 2023. A division title, nonetheless, might be nonetheless out of attain.
14. Minnesota Twins
The Twins had probably the greatest offseasons within the league, all issues thought of. They ended up re-signing Carlos Correa after the Giants/Mets debacle and bought a frontend starter, Pablo Lopez, from Miami together with two prospects. Minnesota additionally signed catcher Christian Vazquez and boosted its outfield by bringing in Joey Gallo and Michael A. Taylor. Dropping reigning batting champ Luis Arraez hurts, however it was the worth that needed to be paid for a high starter, which is one thing the Twins desperately wanted.
13. Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee as soon as once more will lean closely on a stellar rotation led by Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, and Eric Lauer. The onus is on the offense — notably former MVP Christian Yelich and newcomers Jesse Winker and William Contreras — to carry up its finish of the discount. The Brew Crew ought to no less than be within the combine for a wild-card spot once more in 2023, however there nonetheless doesn’t appear to be sufficient firepower to overhaul St. Louis within the NL Central.
12. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays made one vital transfer this offseason, signing right-hander Zach Eflin to a three-year contract price $40 million. That’s the biggest deal for a free agent in franchise historical past.
Eflin joins a powerful rotation that consists of Cy Younger contender Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs. Apart from Eflin, Tampa invested in expertise already on its roster by extending Springs, reliever Pete Fairbanks, and nook infielder Yandy Diaz. Pitching shouldn’t be an issue for the Rays, so rising star shortstop Wander Franco and Co. should do their half offensively to maintain up with Toronto and New York within the aggressive AL East.
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The Rays will want an enormous yr out of 22-year-old shortstop Wander Franco.
11. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians solely made a few notable strikes this offseason, however each signings stuffed main wants. They landed Mike Zunino to improve the catcher place and switch-hitting first baseman/DH Josh Bell so as to add energy to the lineup. Whereas Cleveland might have accomplished extra, it’s constructed to repeat as AL Central champs. Jose Ramirez ought to once more be within the MVP combine, Shane Bieber might add one other Cy Younger to his assortment, and Emmanuel Clase — the sport’s finest nearer — anchors a rock-solid bullpen. That is a particularly well-rounded roster.
10. Seattle Mariners
Get your popcorn prepared for the J-Rod Present encore in 2023. The budding celebrity outfielder has his eyes set on the MVP award after taking house Rookie of the 12 months honors in 2022. He’ll be the driving pressure behind one other sturdy season in Seattle.
After making the playoffs for the primary time since 2001, the Mariners are poised to make a deeper run this time round. They’d an lively offseason, buying and selling for slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and bringing in veteran OF AJ Pollock to stability out the sturdy lineup. Additionally they traded for two-time Gold Glove award winner Kolten Wong to improve second base. Luis Castillo and Robbie Ray headline a scary rotation and the bullpen is stuffed with plus arms. With some of the balanced rosters within the recreation, something lower than an ALCS berth can be a disappointment.
9. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals changed Yadier Molina with the highest catcher on the free-agent market, Willson Contreras. He’ll be a part of stars Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt in a loaded lineup. Pitching is the place it might get dicey for St. Louis. Whereas Adam Wainwright continues to impress at age 40, he isn’t an ace. Jack Flaherty might be, however accidents have prevented him from regaining his Cy Younger-caliber 2019 type. Lacking out on a high starter and one of many premier free-agent shortstops might harm, however the Cardinals ought to nonetheless be capable of earn back-to-back NL Central titles.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers
The offseason has been an uncharacteristic one for the often high-spending Dodgers. They misplaced star shortstop Trea Turner in free company together with veteran slugger Justin Turner and didn’t dish out a lot cash to switch them. As an alternative, they traded for defensive-minded infielder Miguel Rojas and signed ex-Crimson Sox DH J.D. Martinez on a one-year deal. L.A. additionally added Noah Syndergaard to the rotation on a one-year pact. Make no mistake, this stays one of many league’s juggernauts till confirmed in any other case, however successful the NL West gained’t be a cakewalk with the Padres able to make a run.
7. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies’ No. 1 precedence this offseason was touchdown one of many premier free-agent shortstops and so they bought their man in Trea Turner. From there, they targeted on bolstering their pitching employees with starter Taijuan Walker and relievers Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto, and Matt Strahm. Whereas overcoming Bryce Harper’s absence for the primary half of the marketing campaign can be a problem, Philly is constructed to make one other deep postseason run in 2023.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays had been some of the common World Sequence picks round this time a yr in the past and so they failed to fulfill their lofty expectations. After falling to Seattle within the wild-card spherical, Toronto loaded up by including Chris Bassitt to its sturdy rotation and buying and selling for stud outfielder Daulton Varsho. The outfield protection ought to be a sight to see with Varsho, George Springer, and Kevin Kiermaier. The Jays additionally bolstered their bullpen by including Erik Swanson. And as for the lineup, it stays one of many scariest within the recreation with Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette main the best way.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays hope to bounce again after failing to fulfill expectations in 2022.
5. New York Yankees
The Yankees’ most essential strikes of the offseason had been retaining Aaron Decide and signing Carlos Rodon to type probably the greatest 1-2 punches in baseball with Gerrit Cole. The rotation might wind up being the most effective within the recreation if it could actually stave off accidents.
That stated, there are query marks all through the remainder of the roster, notably at left discipline and shortstop. If these questions are answered, the Yankees ought to repeat as AL East champs and compete for a World Sequence title.
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The Yankees checked off the highest merchandise on their offseason to-do listing once they re-signed reigning AL MVP Aaron Decide.
4. San Diego Padres
The Padres are doing every part they will to finish the Dodgers’ prolonged reign atop the NL West. Their greatest splash of the offseason was the signing of ex-Crimson Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract. He’ll be a part of a ridiculous lineup that already contains Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr. as soon as he returns from suspension. San Diego additionally added veteran sluggers Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz to the combo.
The rotation is led by ace Yu Darvish, All-Star Joe Musgrove, and former Cy Younger award winner Blake Snell. They are going to want sturdy seasons from their fourth and fifth starters, Nick Martinez and Seth Lugo. If the pitching employees holds up, the Padres will grow to be the brand new kings of the NL West and be a World Sequence contender.
3. New York Mets
Lacking out on Carlos Correa was a bummer. Including him to the combo would have made the Mets the favourite for not simply the NL East, but additionally the World Sequence title. Nevertheless, the deal falling by means of might transform a blessing in disguise given the uncertainty together with his ankle.
Apart from the Correa drama, the Mets’ offseason was successful. They retained their high free brokers Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo whereas signing reigning Cy Younger award winner Justin Verlander to switch Jacob deGrom. Additionally they signed starters Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana to fill the voids left by Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker. One other 100-win season appears possible. Nonetheless, an NL East title is much from a positive factor.
2. Atlanta Braves
The one blemish on the Braves offseason was shedding shortstop Dansby Swanson in free company and failing to switch him with one other one of many premier shortstops accessible. They’ll depend upon Vaughn Grissom and Orlando Arcia to fill that place.
In any other case, it’s exhausting to search out weaknesses on this roster. Atlanta added one of many high catchers within the recreation in Sean Murphy whereas bolstering its bullpen with Joe Jimenez. The lineup might be even higher in 2023 with a full season of Michael Harris II and a wholesome Ronald Acuña Jr. As nice because the lineup is, the rotation of Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Spencer Strider, Mike Soroka and Charlie Morton has the possibility to be an excellent larger energy. The Braves are poised for one more 100+ win season and are the staff to beat within the NL.
1. Houston Astros
Veteran first baseman Jose Abreu was the Astros’ solely main addition of the offseason. That’s all they actually wanted although. The reigning World Sequence champions are locked and loaded with a deadly lineup that also contains Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and World Sequence MVP Jeremy Pena. Including Abreu to that group is unfair.
The most important impediment Houston should overcome is the lack of Justin Verlander on the high of their rotation. Nevertheless, the pitching employees remains to be in good arms with Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy. Look out for rookie right-hander Hunter Brown as effectively. Total, the Astros are constructed to make a run at one other title however could have some competitors of their division with the up-and-coming Mariners respiration down their neck.
