MLB Power Rankings: Did New York Yankees Finish Top-10?
Oct 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski (16) is greeted in the dugout after a home run in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
24. Miami Marlins (71-91)
MVP: Dee Gordon
Cy Young: A.J. Ramos
Biggest Disappointment: Injuries
The Marlins came into the season with some heightened expectations, as Giancarlo Stanton signed a massive contract extension to give some stability to the franchise. But, injuries derailed this season. Stanton didn’t play after June 26th, yet he still managed to smash 27 home runs. Jose Fernandez was able to return from his Tommy John surgery, but battled injuries after that and wasn’t able to make many starts either. That really hurt the Marlins this season to not have their two best players, but that shouldn’t take away from the great seasons that Gordon and Ramos put together at second base and as the closer.
23. San Diego Padres (74-88)
MVP: Matt Kemp
Cy Young: James Shields
Biggest Disappointment: Failed Spending Spree
The Padres went all in this offseason, trading away future building blocks and assets for a win now mentality. Well, some of those moves worked better than others. Two that did were Kemp and Shields. Kemp, who had a slow start to the season, ended it strong with 23 home runs, 100 RBI and 12 steals. Not the MVP caliber numbers he had just a couple of season ago with the Dodgers, but better than anything the Padres have seen recently. Shields did what he was signed to do; eat innings and give you a chance to win when he starts. He surpassed 200 innings for the 9th straight season. But, the Padres have a lot of questions to answer this offseason, as they probably cannot afford a spending spree like they had this past winter, but have free agents to decide on such as Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy.
22. Detroit Tigers (74-87)
MVP: J.D. Martinez
Cy Young: Justin Verlander
Biggest Disappointment: Pitching Staff
Martinez edges out Miguel Cabrera because he was on the field everyday, playing 158 games while Cabrera found himself on the DL for the first time. Verlander is the MVP as the best of the worst, as the Tigers pitching staff was a disaster all season. If not for David Price being there for the first four months of the season, those numbers would be scary. A big upgrade is needed there as the offense can hit with the best of them behind Martinez, Cabrera and Ian Kinsler .
Next: AL Disappointments