Yes, the World Series just ended. However, it is never too early to think about next season.
With that in mind, here is The Sports Xchange’s early — make that very early — Major League Baseball power rankings for 2015:
–1. Washington Nationals
They have the most-talented all-round roster in the game with two players on the brink of superstardom: right-hander Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper.
–2. Baltimore Orioles
With catcher Matt Wieters and third baseman Manny Machado coming off injuries to join a solid core, they should be a tough team to beat.
–3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Winning the NL West wasn’t quite enough to satisfy ownership, as Andrew Friedman was hired to replace Ned Colletti as head of baseball operations.
–4. Los Angeles Angels
Manager Mike Scioscia was prophetic when he said they are no guarantees in the playoffs, but the Angels’ quick exit should make a talented team hungry.
–5. St. Louis Cardinals
They never totally gained their footing in 2014, but they won the National League Central and are still clearly the best team in the division.
–6. Oakland Athletics
They still haven’t reached a World Series during the Billy Beane Era despite the GM’s wheelings and dealings, but they will make another run at it in ’15.
–7. Pittsburgh Pirates
They showed that their first postseason berth in 21 years in 2013 wasn’t a fluke by getting back to the playoffs this year, and they aren’t going away.
–8. Kansas City Royals
It is easy to think a franchise that hadn’t made the postseason since 1985 is a one-year wonder, but the pitching and defense are not a fluke.
–9. Detroit Tigers
After going three-and-out in the postseason, it is clear that this franchise needs to make some changes, notably finding reliable relief pitching.
–10. Cleveland Indians
They possess one of the game’s best managers in Terry Francona and, more important, a rotation of hard throwers that can dominate, led by Corey Kluber.
–11. San Francisco Giants
The Giants are always better at the end of the season than they are at the start — especially in even-numbered years — but we are looking at an odd-numbered year.
–12. Seattle Mariners
They overachieved in Lloyd McClendon’s first season as manager and have one of the game’s best pitchers, Felix Hernandez, but they need a big bat.
–13. Toronto Blue Jays
Now that the Royals made it to the postseason, the Blue Jays have the longest playoff drought, stretching back to 1993, and it needs to end.
–14. New York Yankees
Just about any other franchise in this situation would sell off its veteran players and rebuild, but that will never happen as long the Steinbrenners are owners.
–15. Tampa Bay Rays
The departure of Andrew Friedman and Joe Maddon leaves a brain drain within the organization, though GM Matt Silverman understands the limitations he is under.
–16. New York Mets
Presumptive young ace Matt Harvey should be ready by Opening Day to head up a young rotation and lead a surprise team.
–17. San Diego Padres
Another team that possesses the type of young pitching to make it dangerous, but new GM A.J. Preller must get some offensive help to contend.
–18. Milwaukee Brewers
No manager starts next season with a hotter seat than Ron Roenicke following this year’s late-season collapse, and that could be a big distraction.
–19. Atlanta Braves
The ax fell on GM Frank Wren after a series of bad moves, notably signing Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton to bad contacts. New team president John Hart must come to the rescue.
–20. Miami Marlins
The growing pains are lessening, and they will get right-hander Jose Fernandez back early in the season. The biggest question is whether they can lock up slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
–21. Cincinnati Reds
Injuries killed any playoff hopes this season, but there is a question about Joey Votto’s long-term durability and Bryan Price’s transition to managing.
–22. Boston Red Sox
After going from worst to first in 2013, they will try to do it again, but GM Ben Cherington needs to do well in free agency.
–23. Philadelphia Phillies
They finally admit that it is time to rebuild, but the big problem is that they have too many overpriced players whom nobody wants.
–24. Chicago Cubs
Maddon inherits a talented group of young hitters, and club president Theo Epstein says the organization is willing to spend for pitching this winter.
–25. Texas Rangers
This is a team that has a chance to outperform its ranking it if stays healthy and makes the right offseason moves.
–26. Chicago White Sox
Jose Abreu and Chris Sale are outstanding players to build around, but they can’t do it alone, leaving GM Rick Hahn to add pieces on a budget.
–27. Houston Astros
GM Jeff Luhnow is a polarizing figure within the game, but the new manager, A.J. Hinch, is a better fit.
–28. Minnesota Twins
It is going to seem odd not having Ron Gardenhire around, but his successor will inherit a team with some young, albeit raw, talent.
–29. Colorado Rockies
Promoting farm director Jeff Bridich to GM can only help after Dan O’Dowd long outlived his expiration date. Still, Bridich inherits plenty of problems.
–30. Arizona Diamondbacks
Tony La Russa wanted a new challenge following his Hall of Fame managerial career. Arizona’s new chief baseball officer has one, trying to revive a struggling franchise.
