Power Rankings: Griff's 2023 Power Rankings #1

Setting a floor for future MLB rankings heading towards spring training

Griff’s Initial 2023 Power Rankings

While Griff’s The Pitch acknowledges that MLB team building is not complete and that much unsigned talent still litters the landscape of free agency, we will go ahead and set the floor for future power rankings here with Edition 1.

There are 30 major-league general managers and none of them will ever say they are ever, fully satisfied with what they have. Over 162 games you are never deep enough. That being said, this ranking is a base from which future ratings can be massaged, manipulated and reconsidered.

Angry fan bases? Certainly, there will never be consensus when entering into this type of exercise. Fans in MLB have strong opinions on where it is that their favourite teams should be ranked. That’s the beauty of fans and access to social media. It’s reaction that is forever subjective…and fuelled by passion.

Attempting to compare strengths and weaknesses across two leagues and six divisions is always difficult. Later on, as the regular season approaches, we will discuss emerging factors in Arizona and Florida that will affect future rankings and performances for the coming season.

This year’s format will add new and unique considerations, compared to previous seasons, since MLB first went to inter-league play and six divisions. First among those factors is the move to a balanced schedule with every team playing every other team, every year. That will surely contribute towards changing the way we look at historically stronger divisions that no longer have to beat up on each other 19 times, then strap it on once again for a month of intense playoff games. As perspective, rating the divisions in 2022, here are last year’s five-team, cumulative records in wins and losses for each. Plus-minus numbers are compared to .500:

AL East +66; NL West +36; NL East +16; AL West -16; AL Central -46; NL Central -56.

Griff’s The Pitch will next update the 1 to 30 rankings after first spring training games are played. Once the championship season arrives on Opening Day the rankings will become a regular, weekly feature of Griff’s The Pitch newsletter. The W/L records listed with team names are for 2022.  

GRIFF’S POWER RANKINGS – Edition 1

1-Astros (106-56)

The champs remain champs until proven otherwise. Congrats to old friend Dana Brown on being named as GM for the first time in a long and impressive MLB career.

2-Dodgers (111-51)

Huge payrolls don’t necessarily guarantee huge results, but they do ensure roster depth, so when injuries occur the replacements you bring in are paid like other teams’ starters.

3-Braves (101-61)

Added C Sean Murphy and lost SS Dansby Swanson, but GM Alex Anthopoulos won’t settle for anything less than a return to the World Series. Key is performance of CL Raisel Iglesias.

4-Mets (101-61)

Owner Steve Cohen is akin to the nutty professor in the lab coat frantically mixing chemicals to discover a perfect formula. Give this formula a 30-70 chance of blowing up in his face.

5-Blue Jays (92-70)

Social media creates a critical path in which fans insist every role MUST be filled heading into spring, otherwise the team’s FO has failed. Rest assured, fifth starter will work itself out.  

6-Phillies (87-75)

Spring goals? Identifying a closer, finding the truth about a defence that looked semi-solid in October, replacing Bryce Harper and evaluating a full year of Rob Thomson. Studs, Realmuto and Trea Turner help.

7-Guardians (92-70)

Much to be admired here. An underrated middle infield combo and strong Canadian content. Five young, but experienced, rotation starters and a dominant closer.  

8-Mariners (90-72)

Most impactful MLB trade-deadline move was RHP Luis Castillo, producing a half-season of contending and a Wild-Card series win. Can M’s repeat with mostly one-dimensional offence?    

9-Padres (89-73)

“Why can’t we be more like the Padres?” has been the refrain from recent, anxious fanbases around baseball. If that means spending $250M and winning 90 games just one time this century, then God bless you.

10-Cardinals (93-69)

Hard to say how good they are, being the strongest team in the weakest division in baseball. Willson Contreras replaces HoF C Yadi Molina, and infielders Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are baseball’s best corner combo.  

11-Yankees (99-63)

Re-signing your best player doesn’t make you better, so the Aaron Judge contract does not factor into the ’23 evaluation. Yankee ‘pen used to be fearsome. Not so much.

12-Rays (86-76)

Never been any use in studying the Rays and what they have done for any off-season because they always somehow patch a bullpen and rotation together that is good enough to contend.  

13-Orioles (83-79)

Emerging in 2^nd half in MLB toughest division, with stunning young stars like Adley Rutschmann and Gunnar Henderson, O’s may be in for small letdown as is often the case following unexpected progress. Caveat is still FA shopping at Dollar Tree.  

14-Rangers (68-94)

With middle infield Marcus Semien and Corey Seager given a full season to settle in, they added starting pitching led by Jacob deGrom, Nate Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney that vaults them into contender status.  

15-White Sox (81-81)

The presence of Andrew Benintendi doesn’t replace the loss of Jose Abreu, nor will the unfortunate absence of closer Liam Hendriks (non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) be balanced by Kendall Graveman. We are Team Montoyo as bench coach.

16-Giants (81-81)

Addition of OFs Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto, SPs Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea plus RP Taylor Rogers doesn’t offer enough of an upper-end boost to tip the scales towards a ’23 post-season berth.  

17-Brewers (86-76)

Silver medallists in MLB’s weakest division while moving to a more challenging, balanced schedule does not bode well for adding those 5-6 extra wins needed for playoffs. Team Rowdy.

18-Cubs (74-88)

Wrigley is one place you will never be able to sell fans on a long-term rebuild. Thus, after a 74-win season, welcome four lineup newcomers with WS experience and four veterans on the pitching staff. Just win, baby.   

19-Twins (78-84)

When you’re 1-for-3 as a hitter throughout your career, you’re a Hall-of-Famer. Unfortunately for Carlos Correa that does not apply as a counting stat for team physicals. Bullpen talented and deep.

20-Red Sox (78-84)

One losing season and, all of a sudden, excuses can sound small market. Lost Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Trevor Story (injury). Not yet shopping at Dollar Tree, but almost. C Reese McGuire may start.  

21-Diamondbacks (74-88)

Key pieces include LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. and C Gabby Moreno added to a team that believes it has the ability to compete. The rotation and bullpen need a couple of surprises to emerge for that to happen.

22-Marlins (69-93)

Include a batting champ, Luis Arraez, a Cy guy, Sandy Alcantara, and the most charismatic young star in the game, Jazz Chisolm…but Fish still will have trouble reaching .500. Cueto brings veteran presence to already solid rotation.  

23-Royals (65-97)

Arguably, the most popular Royals in America, but with a slight payroll reduction forecast, it’s tough to project much improvement over 65 wins. Progress depends on development of Witt, Jr. and Singer.  

24-Angels (73-89)

Interesting that with two perennial MVP candidates – Trout and Ohtani – team hasn’t made the post-season since 2014 or won a playoff game since ’09. Not enough has improved.   

25-Pirates (62-100)

Losing 100 games in baseball’s weakest division does not bode well. But future is now, at 3B Hayes and SS O’Neil Cruz. Vet leaders Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Santana. Are they better? Oy Como Va…

26-Reds (62-100)

Would help Reds to count on a healthy Joey Votto and Tyler Stephenson for full season because the rotation features nothing but 3s, 4s and 5s. Will battle Pirates for fourth in NL Central.

27-Nationals (55-107)

Be wary of a team that wins 55 games then cuts payroll by 22% from one opening day to the next. They traded Juan Soto to the Padres and not because someone was pushing him for playing time.

28-Tigers (66-96)

Injuries decimated them last year and two anticipated starting pitchers are still out, recovering from Tommy John. Back end of the bullpen was scary in 2022, but with not enough leads to protect… so they’re gone.

29-Rockies (68-94)

All that need be noted as explanation is that money still owed to 3B Nolan Arenado ranks as Rox second highest salary this year … and he’s playing for the Cardinals.   

30-A’s (60-102)

All one need be aware of regarding this A’s team is that the largest guaranteed contract for 2023 is to former Jays backup infielder Aledmys Diaz at $7.25 million.