Ranking the Best Teams in Baseball

With spring training in full bloom and the regular season a few weeks away, here’s a look at the top five best teams in Major League Baseball. With only one National League team making the list, it’s safe to say that the American League will be a dog fight in 2009.

Alex Rodriguez - Image: Newscom

1. New York Yankees
The Yankees didn’t make the playoffs in 2008 but after a hugely successful offseason, the Yankees have leapfrogged over the entire league to become the favorites in 2009. As long as Alex Rodriguez eventually returns to near 100% health, the Yankees will undoubtedly make the playoffs this year.

2. Boston Red Sox
Though the Red Sox didn’t make the big splash in free agency that the Yankees made, they had a number of quality moves to help improve their roster. With no more Manny Ramirez to cause drama, this team has a great combination of talent and chemistry.

3. Philadelphia Phillies
The reigning World Series champions are the team to beat in the National League. The bats appear ready to have a big year. The question mark for the Phillies is whether or not their pitching can keep up and perform at least as well as they did last season.

4. Tampa Bay Rays
Can Cinderella strike again? The Rays are definitely talented but they still have a lot to prove. Over the last few decades, there have been a number of teams that had one fluke season before returning to mediocrity. Will the Rays be the next example?

5. Los Angeles Angels
Last season, the Angels had the best record in baseball. However, they flamed out early in the playoffs. This season, they have the pieces to once again be dominant in the regular season. That said, they will need to prove they have the clutch players who can thrive in the postseason.