Power Rankings- Week of 1/7

National League:

1) Dodgers
2) Rockies-
3) Padres- Signed Mark Prior to a 1-year deal worth $1 Million with another $4.5 Million in incentives. Good signing- cheap, albeit risky given Prior's health woes.
4) Diamondbacks
5) Phillies- Traded speedy outfielder Chris Roberson for cash. Is this cheap penny-pinching, or gathering money for a future deal? The answer to this question will certainly effect where the Phillies rank come Spring Training.
6) Mets
7) Braves
8) Cubs
9) Brewers
10) Cardinals- Signed starter Matt Clement, who is just coming off a shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2007 season.
11) Astros- Added versatile reliever Oscar Villarreal and old-news outfielder Darin Erstad. Ed Wade is making a lot of moves, but it's hard to see if they were the right ones. The Astros could be a contender or one of the worst teams in the league depending on how Wade's deals work out for them.
12) Giants
13) Nationals
14) Reds
15) Pirates
?????? Marlins


American League

1) Red Sox
2) Yankees- Hank Steinbrenner says Roger Clemens will not be returning to the Yankees this season.
4) Indians
5) Tigers
6) Mariners- In a distant third in the race for Johan Santana, but are pretty much out at this point.
7) Blue Jays
8 (10) White Sox- Picking up Nick Swisher from the Athletics pushes the Sox back the Twins.

9 (9) Twins- Still in limbo due to the uncertainty surrounding whether or not Santana will be traded. If it happens, the Twins will likely plunge into the league cellar, unless the players they recieve end up having a spectacular 2008 season.

10 (8) Athletics- Traded Swisher to the White Sox for prospects, and now their interest has dropped in Barry Bonds (although he's still on their radar). It seems the A's are making like the Marlins and thrusting themselves the the league cellar in hopes of a better future. Expect them to make more moves towards that end.
11) Rangers
12) Orioles- Traded cash to the Phillies for Chris Roberson.
13) Rays
14) Royals- Signed catcher Miguel Olivio to a one-year deal.