Cubs, Red Sox top preseason MLB Power Rankings

The defending champs are still loaded as they prepare for a title defence. Add LF Kyle Schwarber and a full season for C Willson Contreras and the lineup could be even more formidable and a rotation that inlcudes Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Jonathan Lester and John Lackey is positioned to contend again.

Key Injuries: None.

The Red Sox have a lineup capable of challenging for a title, especially if rookie LF Andrew Benintendi is as good as expected. Adding lefty Chris Sale gives the rotation a massive bump, one that could be needed because David Price - who had a rough year in his first season with Boston -- is injured coming into the season.

Key Injuries: LHP David Price (elbow).

The Dodgers spend to contend, and it does give them the depth to withstand injuries. They added 2B Logan Forsythe and young LF Andrew Toles offers some upside. If they could resurrect RF Yasiel Puig's career, all the better. Certainly the pitching staff will be better because of Clayton Kershaw's return, but the Dodgers have a bunch of arms -- Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Alex EWood, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir -- to throw at the rotation. If second-year SS Corey Seager matches his phenomenal rookie campaign, that could be the difference.
Key Injuries:  LHP Scott Kazmir (neck)

The Nationals have the lineup to challenge, even if 2B Daniel Murphy might not be able to duplicate his amazing 2016 season. A full season of SS Trea Turner, some bounceback from star RF Bryce Harper as well as production from newcomers C Matt Wieters and CF Adam Eaton should make the Nationals one of the National League's top teams. One potential area of concern will be the closer role, which will begin as Blake Treinen's, though Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover could get some opportunities too. 

Key Injuries: None.

There's a lot of continuity in San Francisco, but they add to the lineup with veteran CF Denard Span, rookie LF Jarrett Parker and new closer Mark Melancon, but the core of C Buster Posey, 1B Brandon Belt, SS Brandon Crawford, RF Hunter Pence and a rotation led by Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija is going to give them a shot at contending. 

Key Injuries: None.

While there is certainly a hole created by the departure of 1B Edwin Encarnacion, one that won't be filled by Justin Smoan and Steve Pearce, the Blue Jays should still be able to score runs. If Jose Bautista bounces back at all, a lineup featuring Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Kendrys Morales and Devon Travis should be able to score. And the crucial point for this year's Blue Jays is that they only need to score enough, because their starting rotation -- Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman and Francisco Liriano -- is a real strength around which the Jays can build their postseason hopes. The issue there is that they will have to hope that the pitchers can stay healthy for a second straight season because last year's group was uncommonly healthy.
Key Injuries: None.

The Indians might be the best or second-best AL team overall, but a couple of injured lineup regulars is enough to slide them down a few spots. SS Francisco Lindor is a rising star, adding Edwin Encarnacion provides a much-needed masher in the middle of the order, and if LF Michael Brantley can bounce back from injury that would help too. The pitching staff is very strong, with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer leading the rotation, but the bullpen of Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, Byran Shaw, Dan Otero, Boone Logan and others is a real strength.
Key Injuries: 2B Jason Kipnis (shoulder), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (shoulder).

There are some changes in the lineup, including 1B Danny Valencia, SS Jean Segura, LF Jarrod Dyson as well as a new opportunity for rookie RF Mitch Haniger. Whether the Mariners are able to rise up and contend for a playoff spot may depend on veteran pitchers Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, but James Paxton and Drew Smyly both offer some upside to the rotation too.
Key Injuries: None.

The Astros are on the right trajectory and have loads of potential, with 2B Jose Altuve, SS Carlos Correa and 3B Alex Bregman offering perhaps the best infield trio for the long run. George Springer is the rising star in the outfield, but the Astros have also added DH Carlos Beltran and LF Nori Aoki, which rounds out the lineup nicely. Can they get a bounceback season from LHP Dallas Keuchel or a breakthrough year from RHP Lance McCullers?
Key Injuries: None.

The Cardinals have some solid bats, like 1B Matt Carpenter, SS Aledmys Diaz and incoming CF Dexter Fowler, and outfielder Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty provide some pop, so the Cardinals should be competitive, but they will need some pitchers to rebound. Carlos Martinez is an ace, Adam Wainwright used to be, Michael Wacha is coming off a down season and Lance Lynn missed all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Key Injuries: RHP Alex Reyes (elbow).

The Mets have an old lineup, but they need production from the likes of CF Curtis Granderson, RF Jay Bruce and 3B David Wright. Of course, if they have a competent offence, their pitching will give them a fighting chance. Noah Syndergaard is a fireballing freak, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are strong and then if there is a possible recovery from Matt Harvey or at some point Zack Wheeler, who hasn't pitched since 2014, then they could be really interesting. 
Key Injuries: RHP Jeurys Familia (suspension).

The Orioles may be one of the most consistent at overperforming expectations, so credit manager Buck Showalter. The team is decent, though the lineup seems like Manny Machado and a bunch of guys (even if two of those guys are Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis, who have had some monster home run seasons). Their bullpen, anchored by Zach Britton, is great, but they don't have quality top-of-the-rotatation starters, unless Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy can take significant steps forward.
Key Injuries: RHP Chris Tillman (shoulder)

If the Tigers' vets can stay healthy, there is a chance that they could be good. Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez, Nick Castellanos and Justin Upton are a strong core (and J.D. Martinez when healthy) though the pitching staff could go either way. Justin Verlander and Michael Fulmer are coming off great years, Jordan Zimmermann is coming off a rough season and Daniel Norris has a chance to be a breakout performer after overcoming cancer. 

Key Injuries: RF J.D. Martinez (foot).

The Royals don't have a lot of star power, though mainstays like 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Mike Moustakas, CF Lorenzo Cain and C Salvador Perez are solid. They've added RF Jorge Soler and DH Brandon Moss, which should improve their power, and if LF Alex Gordon is healthy, that wouldn't hurt. The pitching lacks star power too. Danny Duffy had a breakout year in 2016 and Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel are generally reliable, but this is sort of an okay team that lands in the midrange of the rankings.

Key Injuries: RF Jorge Soler (oblique).

It's going to be a daunting task for the Marlins to overcome the offseason death of ace starter Jose Fernandez, a rare talent that couldn't simply be replaced. There is enough talent in the everyday lineup, led by the outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich, but it seems unlikely that their pitching will hold up for a winning season.

Key Injuries: 3B Martin Prado (hamstring).

This seems like a lot of the same old Rockies -- a power-packed lineup with 3B Nolan Arenado, SS Trevor Story, CF Charlie Blackmon and RF Carlos Gonzalez leading the way -- but they don't really have the arms. They will hope that Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Jon Gray can provide some consistency in the rotation, which is always easier said than done in Colorado.
Key Injuries: RHP Chad Bettis (cancer).

The Pirates have talent, but could really use a return to form from CF Andrew McCutchen. LF Starling Marte is a dynamic presence and young 1B Josh Bell could add some power to the lineup. The pitching staff needs young guys like Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow to step up, while getting ace Gerrit Cole back on track would also go a long way towards making Pittsburgh more competitive.

Key Injuries: 3B Jung-Ho Kang (visa).

After dealing LHP Chris Sale to Boston, the White Sox are left with Carlos Quintana and a bunch of questions in the rotation. Carlos Rodon has potential, but he hasn't broken through. James Shields is coming off a terrible season and Derek Holland has been battling injuries. It's going to be hard to be competitive with that pitching, but 1B Jose Abreu and 3B Todd Frazier will hit for power and there is some potential with SS Tim Anderson and top 2B prospect Yoan Moncada.
Key Injuries: None.

Tampa Bay's lineup doesn't look like it's going to be competitive in the American League East. 3B Evan Longoria and 2B Brad Miller provide power and CF Kevin Kiermaier is one of the best defensvie players at his position but, as usual, they could use a few surprises. To hang around long enough, they will need great pitching, which means a rebound from Chris Archer, a healthy Alex Cobb and solid seasons from Jake Odorizzi and Matt Andriese. Strong pitching is their best chance.
Key Injuries: C Wilson Ramos (knee), SS Matt Duffy (heel).

It's a long climb for the Phillies, who have been getting beaten down for a while. CF Odubel Herrera and 3B Maikel Franco have some offensive potential, but it speaks to Philadelphia's struggles that these are their top threats. To be competitive sooner, they need young pitchers like Aaron Nola, Jared Eickhoff, and Vincent Velasquez to handle bigger roles. They had some success resurrecting Jeremy Hellickson's career, can they do the same with Clay Buchholz?

Key Injuries: None.

It's a little depressing that the team with the best player in baseball isn't very competitive, but such is Mike Trout's fate about now. 1B Albert Pujols can still hit for power and RF Kole Calhoun is solid, but it's mostly a mediocre lineup with a pitching staff that doesn't have a lot -- Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker are the most reliable, and Tyler Skaggs has some upside.
Key Injuries: LHP Andrew Heaney (elbow), RHP Nick Tropeano (elbow).

It's certainly possible that the Diamondbacks could be better this season, but first and foremost they will need a better performance from their pitching staff. Ace Zack Greinke could very well have a better season, and younger arms Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray and Patrick Corbin could all improve, but the biggest wildcard might be Shelby Miller, who had a disastrous 2016, but seems to be rallying in the spring. 1B Paul Goldschmidt is a star and CF A.J. Pollock should be if he's healthy, but they could use more offensive support.   
Key Injuries: RF David Peralta (back), SS Nick Ahmed (hip)

Oakland's lineup has some power -- Khris Davis, Marcus Semien, Trevor Plouffe and Ryon Healy should be able to hit some out and C Stephen Vogt is a good hitter, but there are enough holes in the lineup to pose problems. If they are going to exceed expectations, staff ace Sonny Gray has to come back from a miserable 2016 season, and the A's need development from the likes of Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton and Andrew Triggs. It's too much to expect them all to leap forward, but if a couple could, maybe they could push closer to .500.

Key Injuries: None.
 

Canadian 1B Joey Votto is a rare bright spot in an otherwise uninspiring lineup, though they could run a bit if 2B Jose Peraza and LF Billy Hamilton get the green light. Their best starting pitching, Anthony DeSclafani, is hurt to start the year and while Brandon Finnegan has some upside, the rest of the rotation slots are major question marks.
Key Injuries: C Devin Mesoraco (hip), RHP Anthony DeSclafani (elbow).

The Brewers have a star in 2B Jonathan Villar and LF Ryan Braun remains very productive, and they will hope that 1B Eric Thames can translate his Korean-league dominance to major-league impact, but it's not a strong lineup and is paired with a questionable pitching staff, led by Zach Davies, Jimmy Nelson and Junior Guerra. Veterans Wily Peralta and Matt Garza offer rotation depth, but come with their own track records of inconsistency.
Key Injuries: None.

It looks like a long season coming in San Diego, where they need more support for the likes of 1B Wil Myers and 3B Yangervis Solarte, but the pitching staff is a problem area, with Clayton Richard, Jhoulys Chacin, Jered Weaver, Trevor Cahill and Jarred Cosart among those looking to salvage their careers as starters.
Key Injuries: LF Alex Dickerson (back), RHP Christian Friedrich (lat).,