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MLB Power Rankings

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2007

POWER RANKINGS

1. RED SOX: If there's one major concern heading into the postseason, it's Manny Ramirez's health.

2. ANGELS: They'll need to get Gary Matthews Jr. (ankle) and Vladimir Guerrero (right triceps) healthy before October.

3. YANKEES: They'll roll Roger Clemens to the mound in a wheelbarrow if they have to come October.

4. INDIANS: Ironically, the only reliever you really have to worry about in Cleveland is 40-save closer Joe Borowski (5.40 ERA).

5. METS: Even if they win the NL East, without Carlos Delgado (hip) they'd have a tough time in the playoffs.

6. DIAMONDBACKS: Losing 2B Orlando Hudson (thumb) takes away one of their few veterans. Doesn't matter.

7. TIGERS: Ultimately, Gary Sheffield's sore shoulder could be the reason Detroit misses the postseason.

8. MARINERS: They'll need to tweak the rotation (no more Jeff Weaver) and the bullpen (more than just J.J. Putz) in 2008.

9. DODGERS: David Wells has helped them make it interesting again in L.A., although it might be too late.

10. PADRES: Catching Arizona might be too much to ask at this point, but holding off the Phillies shouldn't be.

11. PHILLIES: The only thing more remarkable about them still contending is they've done it without Cole Hamels the past month.

12. ROCKIES: They can still make a miracle run if they win, say, 11 of their 13 remaining games. Good luck with that.

13. CUBS: With only the Reds, Pirates and Marlins left on the schedule, they have to be favored in the NL Central.

14. BREWERS: Their fate will be decided by a seven-game road trip this week. That's bad news considering their road record (29-45).

15. BRAVES: In the old days (two years ago), this would have been a disappointing season. Instead, it's a step forward after last year's debacle.

16. BLUE JAYS: This is one team, for sure, that wishes next season was about to start already. If healthy in '08, they'll contend.

17. TWINS: Outgoing GM Terry Ryan created the blueprint for low-payroll teams to succeed in this era.

18. ATHLETICS: Injuries to Huston Street, Bobby Crosby and Eric Chavez cost them a chance to compete. They're back in '08, and the A's will be, too.

19. REDS: Josh Hamilton (hamstring) is hurt again. But even with all the injuries (wrist, stomach ailment, etc.), his season was a huge success.

20. RANGERS: Young GM Jon Daniels will have his hands full trying to turn this team into a contender during the winter.

21. CARDINALS: They've bounced back from adversity all season, but it looks like the HGH flap has done them in.

22. GIANTS: Quietly, former Rays reliever Tyler Walker has returned to San Francisco and is pitching quite well after surgery ended his season with Tampa Bay in '06.

23. PIRATES: New president Frank Coonelly has a mountainous task ahead of him rebuilding this organization.

24. ROYALS: This team needs hitters. How badly? Three guys were tied for the team lead in RBIs coming into the weekend. They had 57.

25. DEVIL RAYS: Looks like the bullpen problems weren't solved after all.

26. NATIONALS: This is the last hurrah for RFK Stadium. Players can't get out of that musty old building fast enough.

27. MARLINS: Thursday's Palm Beach Post headline says it all - Hundreds see Marlins pull out win.

28. ASTROS: It's interesting that Bob Watson, baseball's disciplinarian, was one of 11 interviewees for the GM job in Houston, where he broke the GM color barrier not so long ago.

29. WHITE SOX: It doesn't take Einstein to figure out these guys aren't going to rocket back into contention any time soon.

30. ORIOLES: How bad is it for Baltimore? Victor Zambrano is in their starting rotation.

Carter Gaddis

POWER RANKINGS

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