By Larry Stone, The Seattle Times –
Larry Stone’s power rankings
Last week’s rankings in parentheses
Team
1 Nationals (3) Nats were far from worthless during nearly 3 months they were Werth-less
2 Yankees (1) In homage to Babe Ruth, Ichiro “calls” his grounder to second
3 Reds (4) It’s becoming clearer by the day that Joey Votto was holding them down
4 Rangers (2) Ryan says Hamilton gives away ABs; Hamilton says Ryan gives away board meetings
5 Pirates (6) Only contender for whom a .500 record would be a moral victory
6 Giants (8) Suddenly, just trying to keep up with the A’s
7 Braves (5) Ben Sheets making strong late run for Comeback Player of the Year
8 Angels (9) Best part for Angels about getting Greinke was that Rangers didn’t
9 A’s (10) Who doesn’t fit into A’s youth movement? That’s a Colon question, bro
10 White Sox (7) Ozzie Guillen always did his best work at the tirade deadline
11 Tigers (11) Tigers trade Jacob Turner, hope it’s not a John Smoltz kind of deal
12 Cardinals (14) Rangers’ favorite Batman villain: Mr. Freese
13 Orioles (15) Orioles could use arm at trade deadline, preferably one attached to a body
14 Dodgers (13) Mannywood has been re-zoned as Hanleywood
15 Rays (17) Looking like “Big Game James” will be finding his big games elsewhere
16 Red Sox (12) Carl Crawford likely will need Tommy John surgery, which should revive his fastball
17 Indians (18) Artist formerly known as Fausto Carmona eligible for activation on Aug. 11
18 Blue Jays (19) In spirit of Alvin Davis, Class A Lansing star Kevin Pillar dubbed “Mr. Lugnut”
19 Diamondbacks (22) Where’s Damian Miller when you really need him?
20 Mets (16) Matt Harvey has a chance to be most prematurely overhyped N.Y. athlete since Lin
21 Phillies (23) Contract of $144 million reminds Hamels of his loyalty to Philadelphia
22 Marlins (21) Seeking “Teixeira package” for Johnson. No, not Casey Kotchman and Steve Marek
23 Mariners (25) Mantra of Mariner hitters: “There’s no place like road; there’s no place like road”
24 Padres (28) Incongruously, light-hitting Padres have one of most coveted hitters in Headley
25 Royals (26) Mariners to face Will Smith, the Fresh Prince of Ball Four
26 Cubs (24) Cubs eager to trade Dempster for a player to be blamed later
27 Brewers (20) Brewers pushing for Sausage Racing to become an Olympic sport
28 Twins (27) Catch the game show sweeping America: “Plouffe or Consequences”
29 Rockies (29) Rockies don’t have any blue-chip prospects to trade. Just a couple of beige-chippers
30 Astros (30) In future years, fire will hold an Astros sale
