Author Archives: Nicholas Cicale

#1. The Washington Nationals: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#1. The Washington Nationals Team Ace: Stephan Strasburg Most Valuable Position Player: Adam LaRoche Breakout Candidate: Bryce Harper Notable Offseason Additions: Raphael Soriano, Dan Haren, Denard Span Notable Offseason Losses: Michael Morse, Edwin Jackson, Sean Burnett Biggest Team Weakness: middle of the infield

#2. The Los Angeles Angels: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#2. The Los Angeles Angels  Team Ace: Jared Weaver Most Valuable Position Player: Mike Trout Breakout Candidate: Peter Bourjos Notable Offseason Additions: Josh Hamilton, Tommy Hanson, Jason Vargas, Joe Blanton, Ryan Madson, Sean Burnett Notable Offseason Losses: Zack Greinke, Dan Haren, Torii Hunter Biggest Team Weakness: The Infield

#3. The Toronto Blue Jays: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#3. The Toronto Blue Jays Team Ace: R.A. Dickey Most Valuable Position Player: Jose Bautista Breakout Candidate: Notable Offseason Additions: Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio, Melky Cabrera Notable Offseason Losses: Yunel Escobar Biggest Team Weakness: Bullpen  

#4. The Detroit Tigers: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#4. The Detroit Tigers Team Ace: Justin Verlander Most Valuable Position Player: Miguel Cabrera Breakout Candidate: Notable Offseason Additions: Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez (Injury) Notable Offseason Losses: Jose Valverde, Delmon Young Biggest Team Weakness: the bullpen  

#5. The Los Angeles Dodgers: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#5. The Los Angeles Dodgers Team Ace: Clayton Kershaw Most Valuable Position Player: Matt Kemp Breakout Candidate: Yasiel Puig Notable Offseason Additions: Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Carl Crawford Notable Offseason Losses: Shane Victorino Biggest Team Weakness: Left side of the infield

#6. The St. Louis Cardinals: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#6. The St. Louis Cardinals Team Ace: Adam Wainwright Most Valuable Position Player: Yadier Molina Breakout Candidate: David Freese (after he returns from injury) Notable Offseason Additions:none Notable Offseason Losses: Kyle Lohse, Raphael Furcal (Injury), David Freese (Injury) Biggest Team Weakness: Shortstop

#7 The Cincinnati Reds : MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#7 The Cincinnati Reds  Team Ace: Johnny Cueto Most Valuable Position Player: Joey Votto Breakout Candidate: Todd Frazier Notable Offseason Additions: Shin-Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan, Notable Offseason Losses: Drew Stubbs, Ryan Madson Biggest Team Weakness: Starting Pitching  

#8. The San Francisco Giants: MLB 2013 Preseason Power Rankings

#8. The San Francisco Giants Team Ace: Matt Cain Most Valuable Position Player: Buster Posey Breakout Candidate: Brandon Belt Notable Offseason Additions: Notable Offseason Losses: Melky Cabrera Biggest Team Weakness: First Base