As Spring Training approaches, here are the latest MLB Power Rankings from Audacy Sports:
L-A-S-T, Last Last Last
Joey Meneses and the Nationals are dead last in our power rankings.(Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)30. Washington Nationals
29. Oakland Athletics
28. Cincinnati Reds
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
26. Kansas City Royals
In a league full of teams not putting their best foot forward, the Nationals project to be the worst team in baseball this upcoming season. They won just 55 games a season ago, and that was despite employing Juan Soto and Josh Bell for a portion of the season. C.J. Abrams is an intriguing young player, and Joey Meneses could prove to be a late-blooming star. But Dave Martinez and the Nationals may very well end up with the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive season.
The Last Hurrah?
The Angels face an uncertain future.(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)25. Detroit Tigers
24. Colorado Rockies
23. Miami Marlins
22. Los Angeles Angels
21. Arizona Diamondbacks
Mike Trout may spend his entire career with the Angels, but as Shohei Ohtani enters a contract year, it feels increasingly like his time with the Halos is winding down. So too is Arte Moreno's time as owner of the franchise. Some day there will be a documentary made about how the Angels managed to land two of the best players in MLB history, and absolutely squander the chance to have success as a team while both were in their primes.
Will Risky Investments Pay Off for Rangers?
20. Boston Red Sox
19. Chicago Cubs
18. San Francisco Giants
17. Texas Rangers
16. Minnesota Twins
If you thought signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for a combined $500 million last offseason wasn't for the risk averse, the Rangers doubled down on the strategy this offseason. Jacob deGrom might have the greatest arsenal of any pitcher in league history, but he'll turn 35 in June and has made 26 total starts over the last two seasons. Nathan Eovaldi finished fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2021, but regressed to a 4.30 FIP in 2022 and has a lengthy injury history of his own. It's not that we can't see the best-case scenario for the Rangers, but there sure are a lot of "ifs".
With Better Health, White Sox Should Rebound From Disappointing Season
Can the White Sox rebound after a disappointing 2022?(Ron Schwane/Getty Images)15. Baltimore Orioles
14. Chicago White Sox
13. Milwaukee Brewers
12. St. Louis Cardinals
11. Tampa Bay Rays
The White Sox were far too talented to finish at .500 in 2022. Of course, when Yoán Moncada, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, Yasmani Grandal and Eloy Jiménez all play less than 105 games, that's not going to be a formula for success in the South Side. In 2023, the White Sox are due for better health, and probably more stability under new manager Pedro Grifol. If Lucas Giolito bounces back, the White Sox could very well compete for the AL Central title.
After Shocking Run to World Series, Can Phillies Compete for NL East Title?
The Phillies are the defending NL Champions.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)10. Seattle Mariners
9. Cleveland Guardians
8. Philadelphia Phillies
7. Toronto Blue Jays
6. New York Yankees
The formula that the Phillies used to get to the World Series in 2022 -- overcome a 21-29 start, sneak in as the final Wild Card representative in the NL -- isn't a sustainable one. But while the defending NL Champions will be without Bryce Harper to open the season, they signed Trea Turner to an 11-year/$300 million deal this winter. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has bolstered the bullpen with the additions of Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto. It's hard to think Nick Castellanos won't bounce back to some degree after a disappointing first season with the Phillies. Unquestionably, the 2023 Phillies should win more games than the 87 that they did a season ago. The only problem is they are in a division with two teams that won over 100 games this past season.
With Return of Tatis Looming, Padres Could Have Murderer's Row
Will the Padres reach the World Series in 2023?(Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)5. Atlanta Braves
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
2. New York Mets
1. Houston Astros
The Padres made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, signing winner Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year/$280 million deal. By the end of April, the five-time Silver Slugger Award winner will be the fourth best hitter in Bob Melvin's lineup. Manny Machado is entering what could be a contract year, looking to follow up on the best season in a career that increasingly appears destined to conclude in Cooperstown. Juan Soto should return to his typical production level during his first full season with the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. will return from a PED suspension that will conclude after the first 20 games of the 2022 season. So Bogaerts will be joining one of the scariest lineups in the sport, and that's without even mentioning the likes of Jake Cronenworth and Matt Carpenter. It would hardly be a surprise if the Padres win their first World Series title in 2023.
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