MLB power rankings By Aram Tolegian
Updated: August 17, 2008, 10:14 PM ET 65 comments

The good: After finishing with 126 and 141 Ks, respectively, the last two seasons, Ervin Santana has 157 and ranks among the league leaders. The bad: SS Maicer Izturis is lost for the season with a torn ligament in his hand.

The good: After finishing with 126 and 141 Ks, respectively, the last two seasons, Ervin Santana has 157 and ranks among the league leaders. The bad: SS Maicer Izturis is lost for the season with a torn ligament in his hand.

The good: The Cubs had nine-game road win streak until losing it over the weekend. That’s saying something this season when even the good teams have had trouble away from home. The bad: The realization is starting to sink in that Kosuke Fukudome’s strength is defense, not hitting.

The good: The Cubs had nine-game road win streak until losing it over the weekend. That’s saying something this season when even the good teams have had trouble away from home. The bad: The realization is starting to sink in that Kosuke Fukudome’s strength is defense, not hitting.

The good: Despite all the recent bad breaks, the Rays don’t seem to be fazed. Just close your eyes and win. The bad: Carl Crawford will miss the rest of the season and have surgery on his right hand.

The good: Despite all the recent bad breaks, the Rays don’t seem to be fazed. Just close your eyes and win. The bad: Carl Crawford will miss the rest of the season and have surgery on his right hand.

The good: Although the Yanks are struggling, the Twins taking that series seemed to be an official stamp of quality. The bad: Carlos Gomez has played his way down to the bottom of the lineup.

The good: Although the Yanks are struggling, the Twins taking that series seemed to be an official stamp of quality. The bad: Carlos Gomez has played his way down to the bottom of the lineup. Of course, Denard Span’s emergence probably had something to do with that. But Gomez didn’t build on his hot start.

The good: The Brewers put together an eight-game winning streak to put a little cushion between themselves and the Cards for the wild card. The bad: Ryan Braun is hurting and missed several games last week with a sore lower back.

The good: The Brewers put together an eight-game winning streak to put a little cushion between themselves and the Cards for the wild card. The bad: Ryan Braun is hurting and missed several games last week with a sore lower back.

The good: The BoSox followed their series loss vs. the ChiSox by putting up 37 runs in a three-game sweep of Texas. The bad: Bartolo Colon got sick during his latest rehab outing, thus further delaying his return.

The good: The BoSox followed their series loss vs. the ChiSox by putting up 37 runs in a three-game sweep of Texas. The bad: Bartolo Colon got sick during his latest rehab outing, thus further delaying his return.

The good: For all their struggles, the Mets are giving off the vibe that they’re the only team that wants to actually win the East. The bad: The bullpen may get Billy Wagner back soon, but this is clearly not a ‘pen built for a postseason … if they even get there.

The good: For all their struggles, the Mets are giving off the vibe that they’re the only team that wants to actually win the East. The bad: The bullpen may get Billy Wagner back soon, but this is clearly not a ‘pen built for a postseason … if they even get there.

The good: Rick Ankiel finally returned to the lineup and made his impact felt on Friday with a two-run shot. The bad: Chris Carpenter is back on the DL and it doesn’t look like the Cards’ plan of waiting for him is going to pay off.

The good: Rick Ankiel finally returned to the lineup and made his impact felt on Friday with a two-run shot. The bad: Chris Carpenter is back on the DL and it doesn’t look like the Cards’ plan of waiting for him is going to pay off.

The good: John Danks has the lowest ERA in the starting rotation and is emerging as a force down the stretch. The bad: Paul Konerko is showing small signs of life, but his average is still well below .230.

The good: John Danks has the lowest ERA in the starting rotation and is emerging as a force down the stretch. The bad: Paul Konerko is showing small signs of life, but his average is still well below .230.

The good: A motivated Manny (leads the majors in RBIs this month) has truly paid off for the Dodgers. We’re now starting to see the trickle-down effect he has on the rest of the lineup. The bad: The Dodgers may be taxing their bullpen too much and it could be spent by October … if that matters.

The good: A motivated Manny (leads the majors in RBIs this month) has truly paid off for the Dodgers. We’re now starting to see the trickle-down effect he has on the rest of the lineup. The bad: The Dodgers may be taxing their bullpen too much and it could be spent by October … if that matters.

The good: Brett Myers appears to have recaptured his form. If Myers is back to his old self, the Phils have less to worry about. The bad: Although his season was interrupted by an injury, Jimmy Rollins is nowhere near what he was last season.

The good: Brett Myers appears to have recaptured his form. If Myers is back to his old self, the Phils have less to worry about. The bad: Although his season was interrupted by an injury, Jimmy Rollins is nowhere near what he was last season. Rollins is hitting in the neighborhood of just .270 after hitting and has eight HRs compared to 30 last year.

The good: By landing Adam Dunn, the D-backs came up with a better-than-expected counterpunch to the Dodgers' trading for Manny. The bad: Orlando Hudson being lost for the season is a devastating blow to the middle infield.

The good: By landing Adam Dunn, the D-backs came up with a better-than-expected counterpunch to the Dodgers' trading for Manny. The bad: Orlando Hudson being lost for the season is a devastating blow to the middle infield.

The good: The Jays are closing in on the Yanks in the East standings. Even if they don't make the playoffs, finishing ahead of N.Y. would be a nice consolation. The bad: It's now official that Aaron Hill will miss the remainder of the year with post-concussion syndrome.

The good: The Jays are closing in on the Yanks in the East standings. Even if they don't make the playoffs, finishing ahead of N.Y. would be a nice consolation. The bad: It's now official that Aaron Hill will miss the remainder of the year with post-concussion syndrome.

The good: Hideki Matsui homered in his first rehab start. There's still no timetable for a return, but it's an encouraging sign. The bad: Time has probably run out on the Yanks to win the East.

The good: Hideki Matsui homered in his first rehab start. There's still no timetable for a return, but it's an encouraging sign. The bad: Time has probably run out on the Yanks to win the East. The wild card is still a possibility, but weeks like last week can't happen again.

The good: No matter what happens this season, the Marlins appear likely to have the East's best rotation for years to come. The bad: The Marlins are sputtering at the wrong time, but fortunately for them, the deficit in the East isn't that bad.

The good: No matter what happens this season, the Marlins appear likely to have the East's best rotation for years to come. The bad: The Marlins are sputtering at the wrong time, but fortunately for them, the deficit in the East isn't that bad.

The good: Even without Carlos Lee, the Astros were able to run their win streak to eight games before losing last week. The bad: Kaz Matsui is back on the DL. This time it's because of an irritated disc.

The good: Even without Carlos Lee, the Astros were able to run their win streak to eight games before losing last week. The bad: Kaz Matsui is back on the DL. This time it's because of an irritated disc.

The good: The O's signed lefty first-round draft pick Brian Matusz eight hours before the deadline. The bad: Daniel Cabrera leads the AL in walks, hit batters and wild pitches. It's no wonder his ERA is nearing 5.

The good: The O's signed lefty first-round draft pick Brian Matusz eight hours before the deadline. The bad: Daniel Cabrera leads the AL in walks, hit batters and wild pitches. It's no wonder his ERA is nearing 5.

The good: The Rangers signed their first two draft picks, most notably slugger-to-be Justin Smoak, before the deadline. The bad: The recent losing streak has featured an uncharacteristic lack of hitting.

The good: The Rangers signed their first two draft picks, most notably slugger-to-be Justin Smoak, before the deadline. The bad: The recent losing streak has featured an uncharacteristic lack of hitting. Hey, this lineup was due to slow down just a bit.

The good: There's only six weeks left in this bad dream called the Tigers' wasted 2008 season. The pain is almost over. The bad: It's probably no shock given what a disappointment the season has been, but Gary Sheffield is unhappy and at odds with Jim Leyland over being the DH.

The good: There's only six weeks left in this bad dream called the Tigers' wasted 2008 season. The pain is almost over. The bad: It's probably no shock given what a disappointment the season has been, but Gary Sheffield is unhappy and at odds with Jim Leyland over being the DH.

The good: Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner (remember them?) are nearing returns to action. The bad: The Tribe was a wreck while in the national spotlight Saturday, committing four errors in a close loss to the Angels.

The good: Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner (remember them?) are nearing returns to action. The bad: The Tribe was a wreck while in the national spotlight Saturday, committing four errors in a close loss to the Angels.

The good: Willy Taveras is leading the league in steals and it's not even close. Due to injuries, the Rox have been somewhat disappointing offensively, but not Taveras. The bad: The Rox have had to consult a spine expert to gauge what's wrong with Todd Helton.

The good: Willy Taveras is leading the league in steals and it's not even close. Due to injuries, the Rox have been somewhat disappointing offensively, but not Taveras. The bad: The Rox have had to consult a spine expert to gauge what's wrong with Todd Helton.

The good: Mike Hampton won his second game on Saturday. Granted, it was against the Giants, but he did look good. The bad: With Hampton, you always wonder if he'll be healthy next week, let alone next season (when it really counts).

The good: Mike Hampton won his second game on Saturday. Granted, it was against the Giants, but he did look good. The bad: With Hampton, you always wonder if he'll be healthy next week, let alone next season (when it really counts).

The good: Brad Ziegler's scoreless innings streak ended last week, but it was fun while it lasted. After all, fans needed something to take their minds off of a midsummer collapse. The bad: Ryan Sweeney's sprained thumb landed him on the DL.

The good: Brad Ziegler's scoreless innings streak ended last week, but it was fun while it lasted. After all, fans needed something to take their minds off of a midsummer collapse. The bad: Ryan Sweeney's sprained thumb landed him on the DL.

The good: The future could be bright. The Bucs spent $10 million on this year's draft. By comparison, the Yanks spent $7.6 million last year. That shows management knows what it has to do.

The good: The future could be bright. The Bucs spent $10 million on this year's draft. By comparison, the Yanks spent $7.6 million last year. That shows management knows what it has to do. The bad: Due to a 5.10 ERA this season, it may be time for the Bucs to give up on Zach Duke and forget about the splash he made when called up to the majors in '05.

The good: Joakim Soria has converted 33 out of 35 save opportunities this season and has a 1.48 ERA to show for it. He's been one of the top five closers in the league this season. The bad: The Royals are battling it out with the M's for the second-fewest runs scored in the AL.

The good: Joakim Soria has converted 33 out of 35 save opportunities this season and has a 1.48 ERA to show for it. He's been one of the top five closers in the league this season. The bad: The Royals are battling it out with the M's for the second-fewest runs scored in the AL.

The good: Rookie Chris Dickerson got a look atop the Reds' order and was pretty impressive last week, going 6-for-his-first-14. The bad: The Reds don't have any current regulars batting over .300.

The good: Rookie Chris Dickerson got a look atop the Reds' order and was pretty impressive last week, going 6-for-his-first-14. The bad: The Reds don't have any current regulars batting over .300.

The good: Randy Winn has been on a tear and is hitting over .300 to go along with 22 stolen bases. This was the Winn the Giants thought they were getting all along … but didn’t. The bad: The power void on this team continues to amaze me.

The good: Randy Winn has been on a tear and is hitting over .300 to go along with 22 stolen bases. This was the Winn the Giants thought they were getting all along … but didn’t. The bad: The power void on this team continues to amaze me. Aaron Rowand leads in Hrs with 11.

The good: Kevin Kouzmanoff continues to develop into an offensive force. Kouz has 18 homers and is hitting near .280 with six weeks left to play. The bad: Chris Young is back on the DL. This time it’s got nothing to do with his face.

The good: Kevin Kouzmanoff continues to develop into an offensive force. Kouz has 18 homers and is hitting near .280 with six weeks left to play. The bad: Chris Young is back on the DL. This time it’s got nothing to do with his face. A strained right forearm may have ended his season.

The good: It’s almost over. And once the season ends, the M’s will have plenty of time to figure out how to start rebuilding the organization. The bad: Carlos Silva’s terrible season is likely over due to elbow tendonitis.

The good: It’s almost over. And once the season ends, the M’s will have plenty of time to figure out how to start rebuilding the organization. The bad: Carlos Silva’s terrible season is likely over due to elbow tendonitis.

The good: Joel Hanrahan inherited the closer’s role after Jon Rauch was traded. Although Hanrahan may not close next season when Chad Cordero is back, his 77 Ks in 68 IP this season is impressive.

The good: Joel Hanrahan inherited the closer’s role after Jon Rauch was traded. Although Hanrahan may not close next season when Chad Cordero is back, his 77 Ks in 68 IP this season is impressive. The bad: The Nats enter the week on a 10-game losing streak.