BASEBALL: Dan Hayes' team-by-team rankings

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:25 AM PDT ∞

1. Boston Red Sox: Bullpen isn't as unstoppable, but David Ortiz is back to provide more pop.

2. Chicago Cubs: Adding Rich Harden was a bold move, but he needs to stay healthy.

3. Tampa Bay Rays: Image-conscious Rays must now shed that hideous dome they call home.

4. Chicago White Sox: Scott Linebrink has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings; think the Pads could use him?

5. New York Yankees: Hey hey, ho ho, that mustache on Jason Giambi has got to go.

6. Los Angeles Angels: Francisco Rodriguez's salary drive overcomes a punchless offense.

7. Philadelphia Phillies: Philly finally got over the hump last year and isn't looking back.

8. Milwaukee Brewers: Brew Crew had a potent offense before they added CC Sabathia's bat ---- and arm.

9.  New York Mets: Jerry Manuel's Mets are the hottest thing in baseball.

10. St. Louis Cardinals: Definitely could use another bat and pitcher to keep up with Cubs and Brewers.

11. Detroit Tigers: Weren't these guys supposed to be good?

12. Minnesota Twins: They've had a good run, but only title they're taking is Justin Morneau's Home Run Derby win.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks: Streaky offense might be enough to overshadow brilliance of pitchers Dan Haren and Brandon Webb.

14. Florida Marlins: Second baseman Dan Uggla's showing in Yankee Stadium on Tuesday was downright ugly.

15. Toronto Blue Jays: OF Alex Rios has four homers in 362 at-bats this season ... he was a Home Run Derby entry in '07.

16. Los Angeles Dodgers: Even without Takashi Saito, a National League West title is possible.

17. Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton isn't Texas' only great comeback story. How about Milton Bradley?

18. Oakland Athletics: Billy Beane keeps trading pitchers, but the future is bright.

19. Cleveland Indians: Tribe needs Jake Taylor and Willie Mays Hayes to jump-start offense.

20. Atlanta Braves' PA announcer is hoping team gives him a break and trades 1B Marx Teixeira.

21. Houston Astros: Mr. Roy Oswalt, please head to the nearest courtesy phone and resume your career.

22. Cincinnati Reds: Josh Hamilton-for-Edinson Volquez deal worked out well for everyone.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates: Not even their beautiful ballpark can draw fans anymore.

24. Baltimore Orioles: Getting rid of Erik Bedard was addition by subtraction.

25. Kansas City Royals: If David DeJesus ever gets out of KC you might actually hear about him.

26. San Francisco Giants: All-Star pitchers Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson almost make you forget about the Barry Zito disaster.

27. Colorado Rockies: So much for the best division in baseball; other than Aaron Cook, pitching is bad.

28. Padres: Forget the playoffs, only thing left is the right to pick SDSU's Stephen Strasburg.

29. Seattle Mariners: They beat up on the Padres, but they have a $100 million-plus payroll.

30. Washington Nationals: Fortunately the presidential campaign is here to distract from Nats' poor play.

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