AL Power Rankings After Astros Sign-Stealing Punishment Fallout

This offseason has seen some monumental occasions that have brought about a great shake-up in the American League power rankings. Given the drastic offseason shuffle, which featured the Yankee signing Gerrit Cole, the Indians trading Corey Kluber and the Astros' sign-stealing punishments, the AL could look fairly different in 2020. Here are the power rankings following the Astros' punishment.

15. Baltimore Orioles

The acquisition of Jose Igelsias certainly helps offensively and defensively, but he and Trey Mancini are likely the only capable hitters on the Orioles roster, and John Means looks to be the only serviceable pitcher in the starting rotation. Playing in the AL East will only make things more difficult for the O's.

14. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers did little to improve this offseason besides acquire career backup catcher Austin Romine and 10-year veteran Ivan Nova, who has a career 4.32 ERA. Miguel Cabrera isn't the offensive powerhouse he once was, and a team whose two best players in the field are Jonathan Schoop and CJ Cron is not a team set up for success. The rebuild continues in Motown.

13. Kansas City Royals

The acquisition of Maikel Franco is a low-risk move with some nice upside, but it's a long-shot that it actually pans out. Whit Merrifield and Jorge Soler can't carry this team alone, as Salvador Perez, coming off of Tommy John Surgery and missing all of 2019, is too far past his prime to help bear the load. This is a team destined for mediocrity once again in 2020.

12. Seattle Mariners

With the rest of the AL West looking to contend for the playoffs, the Mariners once again look destined to settle for the bottom seed in the division. Their main acquisitions have been Kendall Graveman and Nestor Cortes Jr, while they've seen Felix Hernandez and Omar Narvaez head for the exit door. This team is not destined to improve in 2020.

11. Toronto Blue Jays

While Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, and Bo Bichette will likely be terrorizing the AL East for years to come, they likely don't have the supporting cast to compete in 2020. Although the acquisition of Hyun-Jin Ryu helps, there still likely isn't enough talent on the roster in Toronto for a real playoff push. Still, they can make meaningful steps this season as players continue to develop.

10. Texas Rangers

The Rangers acquired veterans Todd Frazier, Corey Kluber, and Robinson Chirinos in the offseason, with Kluber expected to spearhead their rotation. The lineup is solid, featuring the likes of Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus, but that trio likely won't propel them into contention. In what should be a tightly-fought division, the Rangers may not have enough to come out on top.

9. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox could surprise a lot of people in 2020. A roster with Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Nomar Mazara, and Eloy Jimenez is loaded. Not to mention the acquisitions of Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez are solid pieces to add to a rotation that already features Lucas Giolito. The White Sox had one of the best winters in baseball, so, even if it doesn't translate into wins, this will be an intriguing team to watch in 2020.

8. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels now have two star players signed to massive deals in Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Not to mention, the lineup still boasts the likes of Justin Upton, Andrelton Simmons, Tommy La Stella, and two-way star Shohei Ohtani. A decent starting rotation headlined by Ohtani was bolstered with the signing of former Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran, while Andrew Heaney and former fourth overall pick Dylan Bundy are there to eat up innings as well. They've made significant improvements, but they're not contention ready just yet.

7. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox had an incredibly disappointing 2019 campaign, but the team remains equally as talented as it was a few years ago. While Mookie Betts and David Price's futures remain up in the air, this current-look roster is certainly capable of making a run in the AL East. The likes of Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez and Chris Sale are all still in Beantown, so it's hard to completely count against this team with those studs in its arsenal.

6. Cleveland Indians

Even after amassing a 93-win season in 2019, it was not enough to make the playoffs. That's not to say they have a weak roster, as they boast guys like Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Jose Ramirez, and young power hitter Franmil Reyes at the plate. They also have a talented young pitching staff led by Mike Clevinger and All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber. With the Twins and White Sox both trending up, the Indians will be a in battle in the AL Central, but they're not able to be counted out.

5. Oakland Athletics

With three of the most electric defenders in the league patrolling the field in Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, and Ramon Laureano, the A's are no team to dismiss. All three can also put the bat on the ball, as evidenced by their combined 96 home runs. They also have breakout shortstop Marcus Semien in the heart of the lineup. While the team doesn't lack substance at the plate, its pitching rotation is suspect, and could act as the team's Achilles' Heel.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays' pitching staff was among the best in the business last year, and they'll return the three key cogs in Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow. Despite offloading Tommy Pham this offseason, the Rays have some talented prospects ready to get the call to the show, including Brendan McKay (who featured as a two-way player last year) and Vidal Brujan. After a strong season last year, the Rays have the talent to return to the postseason in 2020.

3. Houston Astros

The Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal has left the team in limbo. With George Springer and the team still miles apart in contract talks and AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow being ousted, the Astros have become a rare sight: A successful dumpster fire. Despite all the bad press they're facing, the Astros still boast a formidable roster, capable of making it back to the World Series. Even accounting for the loss of Gerrit Cole, this team remains ultra-talented, and will try to put this past offseason behind them.

2. Minnesota Twins

Very little about the offense which put up over 300 home runs last year has changed this offseason, which bodes well for their success offensively in 2020. Although the rotation may not be elite, the top two arms are solid hurlers in Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi. Michael Pineda proved serviceable last year, and Minnesota also boasts an elite bullpen which could hold down the fort later in games. This is an all-around talented team, and they will be a tough beat in the AL Central.

1. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees won the offseason with their marquee acquisition of Gerrit Cole. The biggest prize of free agency is set to don pinstripes, and that's a significant boost for the Yankees, who seemed to be one starter away from being true World Series contenders. Pair that rotation -- featuring Cole, Luis Severino, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, and Jordan Montgomery -- with a lineup headlined by Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres, and you have one of the most dangerous rosters in all of baseball. The Yanks are in prime position to steal the AL Pennant in 2020.