year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitr

The Cubs had held the No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings for the entire season, but all good things must come to an end. A 2-9 record in their past 11 games heading into the All-Star break was enough to hand over the top spot to the Giants.This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. San Francisco GiantsRecord:?57-33 Week 13 ranking: No. 3Heading into the All-Star break, no team has won more games than the San Francisco Giants. With a comfortable cushion over the Dodgers, the NL West is theirs to lose. Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey,?Johnny Cueto?and Brandon Belt will represent San Francisco in the All-Star Game in San Diego on Tuesday night.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona2. Washington NationalsRecord: 54-36 Week 13 ranking: No. 4After taking three of four from the Mets, the Nationals have opened up a six-game lead in the NL East. Mets fans will have nightmares during the break about Daniel Murphy: He has 21 RBIs already against the Mets, the most by a player against the team he played with the previous season since Roger Maris had 27 for the Yankees in 1960 against the As. And were only at the All-Star break.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot3. Chicago CubsRecord:?53-35 Week 13 ranking: No. 1The Cubs have gone 26-27 since beginning their season 27-8, and theyll return from the break with a tough series against the Rangers. --?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers4. Cleveland IndiansRecord:?52-36 Week 13 ranking: No. 2After ending their 14-game winning streak, the Indians have come back to earth, splitting a series with the Tigers (for their first loss to Detroit this season) and dropping three of four to the Yankees. In a week with four blowout games, the highlight was easily a 10-2, five-homer rout of New York on Friday. ?--?Susan Petrone, Its Pronounced Lajaway5. Texas RangersRecord:?54-36 Week 13 ranking: No. 5The Rangers limp into the All-Star break -- where theyll get some much-needed rest -- still at the top of the American League. The bad news? Their first series after the break will be in Chicago against the Cubs, who have been on a skid of their own. Somethings gotta give.?--?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away6. Toronto Blue JaysRecord:?51-40 Week 13 ranking: No. 13Toronto played .667 ball in a 42-game stretch (28-14) ending Friday, putting them on pace for 91 wins overall. The teams 2.16 ERA in July is the majors best. Jose Bautista (turf toe) is no longer wearing a walking boot and is hitting off a tee.? -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit7. Baltimore OriolesRecord:?51-36 Week 13 ranking: No. 6At 51-36 at the break and two games up in the AL East, the Orioles are in a very nice position. The Red Sox and Blue Jays are right behind them, though, and the Os have clear areas to upgrade (starting rotation, left-handed relief). Theyll surely make one or two moves at the deadline. Will they be the right ones??--?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot8. Los Angeles DodgersRecord:?51-40 Week 13 ranking: No. 7The bullpen, as well as Dodgers fans, are hoping for a quick return by?Clayton Kershaw. Since Kershaws win over the Nationals on June 20, only one Dodgers pitcher has lasted seven innings in a start (Kenta Maeda in Sundays win over the Padres). The pen has held up very well to this point, fashioning a major league best 2.83 ERA. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit9. Boston Red SoxRecord: 49-38 Week 13 ranking: No. 9Boston sent at least six players to the All-Star Game in five consecutive seasons from 2007 to 2011, but had just seven total representatives in the next four games. Once again, the Red Sox have six All-Stars named to this years team -- including four in the starting lineup. -- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona10. Houston AstrosRecord: 48-41 Week 13 ranking: No. 8Dallas Keuchel ended the first half on a good note, going 3-0 over his final five starts with a 2.78 ERA. The peripheral numbers still arent quite at his 2015 level, but its an encouraging sign that he has maybe turned the corner.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot11. New York MetsRecord: 47-41 Week 13 ranking: No. 10The Mets shattered a franchise record by hitting 25 home runs on their 10-game homestand (the previous record for a homestand was 20 in 13 games). Wilmer Flores is batting .440 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored in his last eight games. --?Joe Janish (@metstoday),?MetsToday.com12. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord:?46-43 Week 13 ranking: No. 17Therell be no Andrew McCutchen in the All-Star Game for the first time since 2010, when the lone Pirates All-Star was reliever Evan Meek. Before Final Vote candidate Starling Marte was added over the weekend, the only Pirates All-Star was Mark Melancon, making his third appearance. Melancon ranks eighth among qualified NL relievers in HR/9 (0.25), ninth in walk rate (5.7 percent), fourth in ERA (1.26) and is tied for second in saves (27).?-- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona13. St. Louis CardinalsRecord:?46-42 Week 13 ranking: No. 11The Cardinals have yet to forge an identity this season, with their longest winning streak (five games) matched by their longest losing streak. The Cardinals run differential of plus-89 remains third best in the National League. Their record at the break, 46-42, ranks seventh in the league.?-- ESPN.com14. Miami MarlinsRecord: 47-41 Week 13 ranking: No. 15Giancarlo Stantons long slump is officially over. His last 15 games: .298/.385/.702 with six homers. The schedule through the end of July is favorable: seven versus the injury-ravaged Cardinals, four versus the equally ravaged Mets and seven against the Phillies.?--?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit15. Detroit TigersRecord: 46-43 Week 13 ranking: No. 14The Tigers enter the All-Star Break four games behind the second wild-card spot and 6.5 games behind the AL Central-leading Indians. The next few weeks are critical not just for this season, but for the near future of the franchise. Should they risk going all-in, making one last playoff push for aging owner Mike Ilitch even if it costs whats left of their farm system? --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers16. Kansas City RoyalsRecord:?45-43 Week 13 ranking: No. 12Considering everything that went WRONG in the first half, a 45-43 record isnt that bad. Theyve been outscored by 26 runs, theyre 16-30 on the road, theyve had injuries and Chris Young has allowed what feels like a thousand home runs.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot17. Chicago White SoxRecord:?45-43 Week 13 ranking: No. 19Jose Quintana was a late addition to Tuesdays All-Star squad for the American League, and he certainly deserves the honor -- Quintana ranks sixth in the AL among qualified starters in ERA (3.21) and WHIP (1.11), and is tied for second with several other AL pitchers in quality starts (12).?--?Ryan P. Morrison?(@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona18. Seattle MarinersRecord: 45-44 Week 13 ranking: No. 16Robinson Cano was voted to his seventh career All-Star Game. Hes hitting .312/.367/.549 this season and is on pace for a career-high mark in home runs. The franchises second second baseman ever selected for the midsummer classic (Brett Boone was the first), hell also be a contender in Mondays Home Run Derby, a contest he won in 2011.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona19. New York YankeesRecord: 44-44 Week 13 ranking: No. 18The Yankees reached .500 while wrapping up a 10-game road trip in Cleveland and beating the AL Central-leading Indians three out of four times. They head into the All-Star break perfectly mediocre with no surge in sight, and with only a couple of weeks remaining until the trade deadline, look for them to be sellers. --?Stacey Gotsulias (@StaceGots),?Its About the Money20. Colorado RockiesRecord:?40-48 Week 13 ranking: No. 20On June 15, the Rockies were one game under .500 at 32-33. Since then, theyve either split or lost each of the seven series theyve played, finishing the first half with a 40-48 record. General manager Jeff Bridich echoed the thoughts of many fans when he said he wants to see more consistency in the second half. --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers21. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord:?42-48 Week 13 ranking: No. 23There wasnt much chance of the Phillies sustaining their early season success, and Junes difficulties helped them regress to a mean mean. On the other hand, while the pitching hasnt been quite as good as it was in April and May, the offense has started picking up the slack, scoring at least three runs in 17 of their last 19 games. --?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers22. San Diego PadresRecord: 38-51 Week 13 ranking: No. 26Drew Pomeranz threw seven innings of two-hit ball against the Dodgers on Thursday night. In the process, he lowered his ERA to 2.47, and opponents are batting just .184 against him -- the best mark in the NL. He made the All-Star team by replacing Noah Syndergaard.?-- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit23. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 37-52 Week 13 ranking: No. 27Remember when Mike Trout had trouble against high fastballs? In 2014, he hit .076 with a .549 OPS against pitches in the upper third of the strike zone. In 2016: .324/.621/.595.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 38-49 Week 13 ranking: No. 21The Brewers shipped Aaron Hill to the Red Sox for prospects Aaron Wilkerson and Wendell Rijo, beginning a long-awaited fire sale. Expect the Brewers to be major sellers in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, with the No. 1 name on their trading block being All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy.?-- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker25. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 38-51 Week 13 ranking: No. 25From the things you didnt predict would happen in 2016: Marcus Semien is on pace for 35 home runs. And remember all his fielding issues last season? He has eight errors, after making 35 last season. That Jeff Samardzija trade maybe wasnt so bad after all.??-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot26. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 38-52 Week 13 ranking: No. 22The D-backs waived the white towel sooner than some expected when they dealt closer Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox?on Friday night. With contention clearly out the window, one has to wonder whos next. Add Jake Lambs All-Star snub to the mix, and it hasnt been a fun time in the desert of late.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona27. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 34-54 Week 13 ranking: No. 24The Rays stumble into the All-Star break in a complete free fall -- arguably the worst stretch of baseball in franchise history.?Brad Miller?continues to be a bright spot, but the?bottom half of the lineup is tumbleweeds, and the fundamental team defense is arguably the worst part of this dreadful season. --?Jason Collette, The Process Report28. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 32-56 Week 13 ranking: No. 30The Twins may have the worst record in the American League, but they are streaking into the break after battering the Rangers in Texas over the weekend. Over their past 20 games, the Twins have gone 12-8 while averaging 6.7 runs and hitting .288/.357/.510 with 32 homers. This is the power-packed offensive production they were hoping for from the start. -- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily29. Cincinnati RedsRecord:?32-57 Week 13 ranking: No. 29Adam Duvall has 20 doubles, 23 home runs, and 61 RBIs. Only one player in Reds history has put up better numbers in those categories prior to the All-Star Game: Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, who had 23 doubles, 28 home runs and 79 RBIs in 1970. Bench went on to win his first MVP award that season at the age of 22.? --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation30. Atlanta BravesRecord: 31-58 Week 13 ranking:?No. 28The Braves have hit more home runs (14) in their past nine games than they hit (11) in their first 37 games of the season, which was the extent of former manager Fredi Gonzalezs 2016 tenure. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County Bryant Reeves Grizzlies Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Kyle Anderson Jersey . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Kyle-Anderson-Grizzlies-Jersey/ . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Zach Randolph Grizzlies Jersey . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. BALTIMORE -- Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo, who leads the majors with 42 home runs, sat out Baltimore Orioles 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays?on Friday night because of back spasms.Something he has a couple times a year, said manager Buck Showalter.Before the game, Showalter didnt rule out the possibility of Trumbo pinch hitting but Trumbo stayed in the dugout. It was only the second game hes missed this season.In Baltimores 7-6 loss in the series opener Thursday, Trumbo went 0-for-4, including a ninth-inning strikeout that came with the tying run on third base.After hitting .288 wwith 28 home runs in the first half, the 30-year old slugger is batting .dddddddddddd181 with 14 homers since the break. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career. Prior to Friday, Trumbo had started 145 of Baltimores 146 games this season.In Trumbos place, veteran Michael Bourn, acquired in a trade with Houston on August 31, started in right field for the Orioles.Baltimore is two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East. ' ' '