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2015 MLB Power Rankings: Pre-Spring Training Edition

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2015 MLB Power Rankings: Pre-Spring Training Edition

Houston Astros v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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Spring Training is upon us and with pitchers and catchers starting to report to various camps in Arizona and Florida, baseball season is here. Based on how each team's offseason went and how they figure to fare this season, here are my MLB power rankings going into Spring Training.

30. Colorado Rockies

Minnesota Twins v Colorado Rockies
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30. Colorado Rockies

Minnesota Twins v Colorado Rockies
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Previous Ranking: 30
Win Total Projection: 60-64

Even with a couple of injury-prone stars, the Rockies are flat-out bad. As usual, they have no pitching and that's going to be a problem at Coors Field. Getting rid of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez would be a good start to the rebuilding process, but it's going to be a rough 2015 for Colorado.

29. Philadelphia Phillies

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies
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29. Philadelphia Phillies

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies
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Previous Ranking: 29
Win Total Projection: 64-68

While the Phillies began their retooling process by trading Jimmy Rollins, they still have plenty of work left to go. They are going to be playing in a relatively deep division and that doesn't bode well for a team in relative disarray.

28. Tampa Bay Rays

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays
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28. Tampa Bay Rays

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays
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Previous Ranking: 28
Win Total Projection: 64-68

For the first time in a while, the Rays probably aren't going to be very good in 2015. They're without their GM and manager, as well as their former ace and super-utility man. That adds up to a pretty difficult season in what could be the Rays' last in Tampa Bay.

27. Texas Rangers

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Texas Rangers
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27. Texas Rangers

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Texas Rangers
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Previous Ranking: 26
Win Total Projection: 68-72

While the Rangers have a decent amount of talent on their roster, it seems like they're stuck between competing and retooling their roster. Most of their stars are aging, and Prince Fielder is a major question mark coming off of an injury-plagued 2014. Since they're playing in one of baseball's best divisions, they're not likely to do too well.

26. Cincinnati Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds
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26. Cincinnati Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds
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Previous Ranking: 24
Win Total Projection: 71-75

After not doing much in the offseason and trading Alfredo Simon and Mat Latos, the immediate future doesn't look great for the Reds. They're clearly trying to build for the future, which is a good idea, but that won't help them win games in 2015.

25. Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins v Colorado Rockies
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25. Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins v Colorado Rockies
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Previous Ranking: 27
Win Total Projection: 71-75

While the Twins likely won't compete in 2015, they could take their first step toward contention if all goes well. They have plenty of young players to add to the mix, and how those young players gel will largely determine their level of success this season.

24. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks v San Francisco Giants
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24. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks v San Francisco Giants
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Previous Ranking: 23
Win Total Projection: 73-77

Last year was a disaster in Arizona, but they could get back on track in 2015. That likely doesn't mean a playoff spot in a tough division, but it does mean they won't be completely embarrassing. The additions of Yasmany Tomas and Jeremy Hellickson will go a long way toward getting their win total up from a year ago.

23. Houston Astros

Houston Astros v Texas Rangers
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23. Houston Astros

Houston Astros v Texas Rangers
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Previous Ranking: 25
Win Total Projection: 73-77

This upcoming season could be the beginning of the Astros' coming-out party. Don't expect them to be ultra competitive, but their young stars should begin to shine ever so slightly in 2015. That means they won't be the cellar-dweller they've been for most of the past few seasons.

22. New York Mets

Miami Marlins v New York Mets
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22. New York Mets

Miami Marlins v New York Mets
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Previous Ranking: 21
Win Total Projection: 75-79

New York built some early momentum this offseason when they signed outfielder Michael Cuddyer, but they failed to capitalize on that over the rest of the offseason. Without an established shortstop to start the year, it's unlikely that the Mets will be able to compete in the NL.

21. Milwaukee Brewers

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers
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21. Milwaukee Brewers

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers
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Previous Ranking: 22
Win Total Projection: 76-80

Last year, the Brewers were the surprise of MLB for the first several months of the season. However, they failed to hang on to the division lead and choked it away late. Without any major offseason acquisitions, their entire 2015 season should more closely resemble last September than April-August.

20. New York Yankees

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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20. New York Yankees

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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Previous Ranking: 17
Win Total Projection: 77-81

It's unusual to say, but the Yankees were pretty quiet this offseason. Their biggest move of the winter was signing reliever Andrew Miller, but they lost their shutdown closer in David Robertson. There's way too much outside noise (A-Rod) distracting the Bronx Bombers for them to compete this season.

19. Cleveland Indians

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Indians
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19. Cleveland Indians

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Indians
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Previous Ranking: 19
Win Total Projection: 77-81

Last year, the Indians actually stuck around right up until the end of the season, but they couldn't get over the hump. Nick Swisher's over-inflated contract has kept them from being able to do much this offseason, and unless Cy Young winner Corey Kluber duplicates his performance from a season ago, the Indians won't be winning the AL Central in 2015.

18. Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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18. Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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Previous Ranking: 20
Win Total Projection: 81-85

The Royals were the surprise of MLB last season, reaching the World Series and coming within a couple hits of winning the Fall Classic. However, they lost Billy Butler and James Shields, both of whom were key cogs. They attempted to fill those holes with outsiders, but the magic may just not be there again this season.

17. Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves v New York Mets
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17. Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves v New York Mets
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Previous Ranking: 18
Win Total Projection: 82-86

Last season, the Braves were disappointing with many of their stars underperforming. Under a new front office, Atlanta has already started to retool and it should pay off starting this season. That doesn't mean they should be very competitive, but they might stick around in the NL East for a while.

16. Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins v Arizona Diamondbacks
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16. Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins v Arizona Diamondbacks
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Previous Ranking: 15
Win Total Projection: 82-86

While the Marlins added some very nice pieces like Mat Latos, Dee Gordon and Michael Morse, they still have plenty of question marks. They should be better in 2015, but ultimately how competitive they are may hinge on the health of ace Jose Fernandez, who is coming off Tommy John surgery.

15. Baltimore Orioles

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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15. Baltimore Orioles

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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Previous Ranking: 12
Win Total Projection: 83-87

The Orioles may be set to take the biggest step back in baseball this season. That doesn't mean they won't be competitive, but it's going to be harder to win their division after several key players left. Those players include Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller. Their presence will be missed dearly.

14. Chicago Cubs

Atlanta Braves v Chicago Cubs
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14. Chicago Cubs

Atlanta Braves v Chicago Cubs
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Previous Ranking: 14
Win Total Projection: 83-87

After they signed Jon Lester and traded for Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler, everyone started jumping on the Cubs' bandwagon, and why not? This team hasn't had much excitement for the better part of a decade. However, Cubs fans should save their excitement for 2016. This upcoming season should be more of a bridge year in which they should still be pretty competitive.

13. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays
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13. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays
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Previous Ranking: 8
Win Total Projection: 85-89

Depending on how competitive the AL East is this season, the Blue Jays could have a chance to win the division. However, they're likely to face a tough test with at least the Red Sox. After a busy beginning to the offseason, the Blue Jays did nothing to improve their team over the last couple months.

12. Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Indians
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12. Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Indians
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Previous Ranking: 16
Win Total Projection: 86-90

One of the most improved teams in baseball over the offseason, the White Sox could give the V-Mart-less (at least for a while) Tigers a run for their money. With the additions of Adam LaRoche, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson, the South Siders certainly look like contenders.

11. Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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11. Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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Previous Ranking: 9
Win Total Projection: 86-90

The Athletics made some strange moves this offseason and all in all, they probably took a small step back. They got rid of Jeff Samardzija and Josh Donaldson among others, while acquiring Ben Zobrist and Brett Lawrie. Only time will tell how all the new pieces will fit together in Oakland.

10. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds
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10. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds
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Previous Ranking: 10
Win Total Projection: 87-91

With a very nice mixture of young and veteran hitting, the Pirates may be primed for their best season in quite some time. They've reached the postseason in both of the past two seasons, but have failed to make any serious noise there. With a very complete roster, that may change in 2015.

9. Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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9. Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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Previous Ranking: 4
Win Total Projection: 87-91

Until everyone knows how long Victor Martinez is going to be out for the Tigers, there's no way they can be placed in MLB's elite company. Even without V-Mart, they're a good team, but they may struggle to win the division if they're without him for most of the season.

8. Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox v Houston Astros
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8. Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox v Houston Astros
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Previous Ranking: 11
Win Total Projection: 88-92

Boston is looking to make another division title run after a disappointing finish in 2014. With all of their offseason additions, they might just be the AL East favorites. While they had a lot of roster turnover where the starting rotation is concerned, they seem better than they were last season on paper.

7. San Francisco Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks v San Francisco Giants
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7. San Francisco Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks v San Francisco Giants
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Previous Ranking: 7
Win Total Projection: 88-92

Even after losing Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse to free agency, the Giants figure to be right in the thick of the NL West race again. If Matt Cain can stay healthy, the Giants could have a chance at their fourth World Series title in six years.

6. San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
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6. San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
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Previous Ranking: 13
Win Total Projection: 88-92

After adding James Shields, the Padres officially capped off one of the biggest offseason turnarounds in recent memory. Their offense should be much-improved, but only time will tell how all the new pieces in San Diego gel together as the season wears on.

5. Seattle Mariners

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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5. Seattle Mariners

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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Previous Ranking: 6
Win Total Projection: 89-93

With the addition of Nelson Cruz, the Mariners should give the Angels a run for their money in the AL West. Having an ace like Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation will go a long way toward ensuring the Mariners are one of baseball's best teams in 2015.

4. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers
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4. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers
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Previous Ranking: 5
Win Total Projection: 90-94

Looking for the most complete team in baseball? Look no further than the Cardinals. They have a surplus of starting pitching, and that should end up benefitting their bullpen as well. Adding Jason Heyward to their outfield will also help the team's overall offense and defense.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
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3. Los Angeles Dodgers

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
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Previous Ranking: 3
Win Total Projection: 90-94

The Dodgers have one of the deepest rotations in all of baseball, and that's going to ensure them a lot of success in 2015. If players like outfield prospect Joc Pederson can produce at a high level this season, the Dodgers should once again be playing in October.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Texas Rangers
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2. Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Texas Rangers
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Previous Ranking: 2
Win Total Projection: 91-95

As the Angels learned last year, having a deep lineup can go a long way toward getting a team to October. However, as they also learned, not having a bona fide ace can get you an early exit in the playoffs. They should be a good regular season team once again in 2015, but only time will tell if they can get over their playoff woes.

1. Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies
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1. Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies
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Previous Ranking: 1
Win Total Projection: 92-96

After signing Max Scherzer, the Nationals may just have the best rotation in recent memory. Having a rotation of Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister will ensure them regular season success as long as everyone stays healthy. If their lineup can score just enough to win, the Nationals may just be the team to beat in 2015.

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