in the mean time.......
Each season, a panel of writers and editors from Sports Weekly, USA TODAY and USATODAY.com vote in our weekly Power Rankings. With the latest piece of the Yankees' puzzle added, New York is back on top with Boston relegated to second and the rest of the league playing catch-up.
Team (first-place votes) Pts. Dec.
rank
1. New York Yankees (7) 323 2
A-Rod bumps Yanks to top spot.
2. Boston Red Sox (3) 319 1
Nearly had first place locked up ... before Saturday.
3. Chicago Cubs (1) 297 3
Dealt Steve Bartman in the offseason.
4. Philadelphia Phillies 290 4
Billy Wagner, grass field should make a big difference.
5. Houston Astros 268 5
Ex-Yankees pitchers provide a Rocket boost.
6. Florida Marlins 263 6
Higher expectations than last time they won.
7. Oakland A's 253 10
Retooled offense should cover loss of Miguel Tejada.
8. Seattle Mariners 251 8
Always seem to be in the mix.
9. Anaheim Angels 246 11
Awesome lineup, decent pitching.
10. Atlanta Braves 237 9
Pitching is a question for the first time in a while.
11. San Francisco Giants 214 7
Barry Bonds will make a run at Babe Ruth this season.
12. Toronto Blue Jays 186 12
Some nice offseason moves not enough in this division.
13. Kansas City Royals 181 18
Any offseason moves enough in this division.
14. Minnesota Twins 180 T13
Lost closer, setup man and catcher, but it's the AL Central.
15. St. Louis Cardinals 179 T13
Lots of questions in the outfield, on the pitching staff.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks 174 17
Will Richie Sexson and Roberto Alomar be enough?
17. Los Angeles Dodgers 166 16
Still no offense, but they did add pitcher Jeff Weaver.
18. San Diego Padres 154 20
Apparently moving in the right direction.
19. Baltimore Orioles 152 19
Should challenge Blue Jays' stranglehold on third place.
20. Chicago White Sox 148 15
Ozzie Guillen has an interesting year ahead.
21. Colorado Rockies 96 22
As always, pitching is a problem.
22. New York Mets 93 21
Won't sniff the back page, but have nowhere to go but up.
23. Montreal Expos 92 23
Nowhere to go but Puerto Rico.
24. Cleveland Indians 70 25
At least their farm system is highly ranked.
25. Texas Rangers 66 24
So much better now that they got rid of the reigning MVP.
26. Cincinnati Reds 60 27
Even if Ken Griffey Jr. is healthy, he can't pitch.
27. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 58 28
Improving, even if at a glacial pace.
28. Milwaukee Brewers 38 29
Buy this team and they will throw in free undercoating.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates 33 26
Randall Simon bidding war could change everything.
30. Detroit Tigers 28 30
Hey, at least they're trying!