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Updated July 9
Although the All-Star break is not quite here yet, we are past the actual halfway point in the baseball season and have clearly discerned the contenders from pretenders and the buyers and cellars, er, sellers.
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| Paul Konerko's return adds punch to an already formidable White Sox lineup. (Getty Images) |
The Angels figure to be baseball's only real runaways, holding a majors-best five-game lead in their division and seeing the rebuilding A's continue to sell this week. Oakland GM Billy Beane is a deft mover and shaker, but you cannot convince us trading Rich Harden is a signal you're "going for it" like the Brewers and Cubs declared this week.
We drop the selling A's to No. 11 in the latest CBSSports.com Power Rankings and, frankly, see them falling much farther after the bad signal they sent the team and their fans this week.
The Rays will be trying to hold off the big-budget Red Sox and Yankees through the summer months. And the White Sox will be challenged by the upstart Twins and eventually pushed by the resurgent Tigers.
Over in the NL, the Cubs and Brewers showed they are the teams to beat in the NL Central and the wild-card races. The upstart Cardinals figure to merely hang on for dear life as their surprising pitching staff unravels.
The Phillies, facing a rough stretch of games through June and July, have given the suddenly life-like Mets and overachieving Marlins hope. Even the injury-hit Braves are within striking distance in the disappointing NL East at five games back entering play Wednesday.
Last, and most certainly least, the D-Backs and Dodgers figure to flip a coin on who will represent the NL Worst in the postseason. Neither team is playing like it deserves to survive into October.
The biggest surprises among the contenders are clearly the Rays, White Sox, Twins, Marlins and Cardinals. The biggest disappointments, and obviously the most inclined to sell, are the Mariners, Indians, Blue Jays, Rockies and Padres.
It is a different year, especially with the likes of the Lovable Losers and Brew Crew making the huge trade acquisitions, while the big-budget teams -- Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Dodgers -- can only watch.
Can't wait to see the next team to step up and fire a shot in the trade market. Tampa Bay Rays, hello?
The complete Power Rankings:
| Power Rankings | ||||||||||
| Current | Team | Previous | ||||||||
 | 1 | Rays · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| They could have had either Sabathia or Harden if they wanted -- they have the prospects to get anyone they want -- which could mean a big trade for a bat or some bullpen arms will come before July 31. Starting pitching just isn't a No. 1 priority, especially when you have a David Price waiting in the wings. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Cubs · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| Kudos to overshadowing the Brewers' trade acquisition on the night of his debut with your own deal for ace Rich Harden -- a classic case of 'Can you top this?' The Cubs gave up far less for Harden, too. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Angels · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| They have to love seeing the A's further sell themselves short in the AL West race. You know the Rangers aren't catching them with their pitching staff, so the Angels can go on cruise control in the second half. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | White Sox · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| The return of Paul Konerko should be good news. Their offense is better than they have shown to date and they are still in the top 10 in runs scored. They have the best pitching in the division and arguably the best offense. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Red Sox · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| This is a season low, but they shouldn't be down for long. It was a month ago (or more) we suggested Justin Masterson would make a great Joba Chamberlain setup man. Right-handers can't touch Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon sorely needs that bridge. Clay Buchholz and Bartolo Colon (back) are more than capable to handle the No. 5 starter's role. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Brewers · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| A great move picking up a co-ace in CC Sabathia, even if it was immediately countered by the Cubs. Losing Matt LaPorta's potential MVP-caliber bat can prove costly, but the Rays should take a lesson here in how to strike while the iron is hot. Losing franchises just have to go for it like this. Much props. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Twins · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| Johan who? The Twins have solid starting pitching without Santana. We don't see them winning 90 games, which is their current pace, but their pitchers can really pound the strike zone. They have the fewest walks in the league, even if they are hittable. Only the Rangers and Pirates have given up more hits. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Cardinals · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| They have proven more vulnerable in the rotation of late and watching the Cubs and Brewers each add aces really hurts their case. Mark Mulder's return to the rotation just doesn't have the same impact. Adam Wainwright (finger) really needs to get back in a hurry, or else a surprising first half could get lost. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Tigers · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| Look out, Miguel Cabrera has the potential to scorch. He hasn't really hit his stride yet. Sluggers notoriously do 50 percent of their damage in 25 percent of the season, so there is plenty of time for Miggy to mash the Tigers back into the AL Central race. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Yankees · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| They have gotten a mini-slump out of their system. We are much less psyched about our prediction they will catch the Rays, but you have to like their 5-0 salvo Tuesday night. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Athletics · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| It is tough to criticize Billy Beane, but dealing Rich Harden for those marginal prospects reeks of a white flag. We don't blame him if he feels Harden is too risky to trust in the second half, but Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and that Class A catcher don't project to be stars like a Matt LaPorta. Joe Blanton can't be far behind on the trading block, right? | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Phillies · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| We agonized over possibly dropping them below the Mets, who have owned them in the season series (3-7), but the Phillies deserve the benefit of the doubt. Despite dropping the series to the Mets this weekend, the Phils showed some real moxie rallying in the games they were trailing. Any team that can nearly overcome nine- and eight-run deficits is a serious threat. Their schedule softens up in August, so if they can merely hang on through July ... | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Mets · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| Their recent play, especially in regard to their slumbering offense, is a sign they are not toast. The bullpen is still shaky, but if the rotation and offense continue improving that wart can come around. To win the NL East, they will need to add a corner outfielder. You cannot expect anything from Moises Alou (calf, age) or Ryan Church (post-concussion syndrome) in the second half. Barry Bonds? | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Rangers · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| Matt Harrison had a nice debut less than a year after he was among the key pieces in the Mark Teixeira trade. The No. 1 offense in baseball is just a few young pitchers away from having a sleeper contender. | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Marlins · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| We have often criticized their rotation because of the likes of Mark Hendrickson. But Josh Johnson, returning from elbow surgery, and top prospect Chris Volstad have potential long term and can help in the short term. If they prove to be Ricky Nolasco-good -- talent-wise they are superior -- the Marlins can be a real threat to the Phils and Mets. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Diamondbacks · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They were better at this point last year, but their rotation is too good on the front end to not lead the sub-.500 division, the worst in baseball. Eventually the young hitters will find themselves, even if catalyst Eric Byrnes (hamstring) is out for the season. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Orioles · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| Adam Loewen's latest misfortune is frustrating, even if he wasn't going to be a factor in the rotation this season. He has to be considered more suspect than prospect now. Save for an injury-hit pitching staff, they have done an admirable job in the first half. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Dodgers · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| They had the potential to easily add a Sabathia or Harden, which could have vaulted them in a wide-open division race, but we think they can still compete with what they have and they don't have to sacrifice their future to do it. A good stand pat ... for now. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Braves · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| Despite trying to write their own will in recent weeks, they remain just five games out in the NL East. They have a powerful enough offense that can get them back in the thick of the chase with a long winning streak. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Blue Jays · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| Dustin McGowan (shoulder) might be joining Shaun Marcum (elbow) on the DL, and A.J. Burnett might be joining CC Sabathia and Rich Harden on the trading block. With the right moves this month and this winter, this team won't be far from competing again. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Reds · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| Aaron Harang's slump has undone a lot of the progress Dominican Dandies Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto have provided. Harang, a back-to-back 16-game winner, is on pace for an absurd 19 losses. Now is not the time to sell low on him. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Royals · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| The return to playing the AL has rushed them back to reality. They play a real tough schedule for the next month, so expect them to continue to spiral downward. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Pirates · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| Who do you trade, Jason Bay or Xavier Nady? One of them will go, because Steve Pearce and/or Andrew McCutchen are young talents to build around. Breakout Nate McLouth, this year's Eric Byrnes, isn't going anywhere. (Nady is our choice, unless the return on Bay is just too tempting). | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Astros · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| Miguel Tejada has slowed down considerably, which has helped account for the team's plummet to the cellar. They weren't going to contend with that pitching staff, though. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Giants · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| They are just six games back in the NL Worst, so we cannot blame them for moving Tim Lincecum up a day to start twice before the All-Star break and making him unlikely to pitch in the Midsummer Classic. Sure, Lincecum deserved the national stage, but the Giants have done so well with less they deserve a chance to close the gap while the getting is good. | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Rockies · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| They have tended to do great things with their young talent, but we cannot see trading Matt Holliday this July as something that makes sense. Dealing Todd Helton is another story and frankly should be the move that is made. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Padres · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| The development of Chase Headley is a welcome sight for a team that just has little going for it offensively outside of Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff. Scott Hairston is hot right now and might even be someone to work with now, too. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Indians · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| The CC Sabathia trade clinches it as a lost year, but that was a real nice get in Matt LaPorta. Bats like his don't come around too often and Sabathia might even be a candidate to re-sign this winter. Getting him back and having some other young talent come along can make them a worst-to-first story next year. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Mariners · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| They lose three consecutive games and actually hold their place here. Felix Hernandez is coming off the DL, so we will use that as our excuse. Erik Bedard, Kenji Johjima, Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson and maybe even Adrian Beltre should be sent out this month or this winter. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Nationals · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| Can you believe we actually had e-mail in Week 1 of the season that the Nationals will win more games than they will lose? At least the starting pitching is showing some signs of improvement. This franchise really has a long row to hoe. | ||||||||||