TORONTO, ON – JULY 14: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays slams his helmet against the Kansas City Royals after flying out to end the seventh inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on July 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. MLB Power Rankings (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
This week’s MLB Power Rankings looks at the worst-case scenario for all 30 MLB teams.
What’s the worst that can happen? It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Whether we were preparing to jump off a roof to impress someone or worked up the will to tell our bosses how we really feel, the worst-case scenario is something everyone endures. This week’s MLB Power Rankings will take a look at some of those worst-case scenarios for each MLB team.
Ranked on a mix of devastation for the franchise and the likelihood of it happening, these are some of the worst things that can realistically happen.
30) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros miss the playoffs
It’s not so bad for the Houston Astros to miss the playoffs in 2023. The defending champions will want to do more than play out a lousy 162-game schedule. However, if all they come away with in this current era is a championship in 2017 and 2022, it’s all good. The least powerful worst-case scenario of all belongs to the Astros.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics lose 121 games
A lot of bad things could happen with the Oakland Athletics. Staying put in Oakland is one of them, although we can argue the loyal fans deserve to have a team. The worst thing they can do is lose a record 121 games. Oakland can finish last and should probably hope so to get the number one pick in next year’s draft. They don’t need to go out there setting any records.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Washington Nationals are sold to the wrong owner
The Washington Nationals are another ball club on the verge of some major changes. Getting sold wouldn’t be terrible. Ending up in the wrong hands would be devastating. At this point of the organization’s history, it needs to end up with an ownership group with a desire to spend. Competing in the National League East is tough enough. Try doing it with a small payroll. It hasn’t worked out so well for the Miami Marlins in recent years.
27) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants finish last in the NL West
It’s not unbelievable to see the San Francisco Giants finish last in the National League West. Their offseason was okay. They needed much more to be a serious contender. In a roundabout way, maybe such a horrific finish would be the best thing for them. It could be the motivating factor for the club to finalize some major additions next winter.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds make no progress
This is a year of progress for the Cincinnati Reds. It doesn’t necessarily need to translate in the standings. They can finish dead-last and have a successful year. The worst-case scenario is realizing none of their prospects are any good and the rebuild is going to take another decade. With an owner unwilling to sell or spend, Reds fans might be shifting over to the Cleveland Guardians if this lasts too long.