The MLB trade deadline is tomorrow at 6 PM ET, and limited movement among the top teams in the power rankings could certainly change over the next couple of months.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (65-40) | Last week: 1
Philadelphia has lost four consecutive series, so the start of a tough stretch mentioned last week didn’t begin how they would have liked. Still, they have the best record in baseball and seem to have found another gem in the rotation with hometown rookie Tyler Phillips tossing a shutout on Saturday.
2. Baltimore Orioles (62-43) | Last week: 2
The Orioles were on the other end of a rare trade between top teams by sending 2023 All-Star outfielder Austin Hays to the Phillies for reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Christian Pache. Could we see them face off in late October?
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (63-44) | Last week: 3
It’s not exactly going out on a limb, but I would guess the Dodgers will be one of the most active teams over the next 24-plus hours—and we can’t forget about their own injured players returning as reinforcements, too. Starting tomorrow night, Los Angeles gets a chance to silence the surging Padres in a two-game series.
4. Cleveland Guardians (63-42) | Last week: 4
Cleveland picked up a huge series win against the Phillies over the weekend, and they could have a case to be the No. 2 team in the power rankings with the second-best record in baseball. The situation could settle itself later this week when the AL East-leading Orioles come to town.
5. New York Yankees (62-45) | Last week: 5
The Yankees trading for Jazz Chisholm Jr. caught many by surprise, but he’s a versatile piece that boosts the lineup around Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. After batting fifth and playing centerfield last night in Boston, Chisholm is expected to see time at third base, and eventually leading off is possible.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (60-45) | Last week: 6
Dropping a weekend series at home versus the Marlins was a disappointment, so we’ll see if the Brewers—with a 30-19 record in Milwaukee—can bounce back versus the visiting Braves over the next three days. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without Christian Yelich after another back injury popped up to put his rest-of-season status in question.
7. Minnesota Twins (58-46) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Minnesota moves up after taking two of three from the Phillies and Tigers last week, and doing the same versus the Mets would be great before hosting a White Sox team that is currently on a 14-game losing streak. The creativity of manager Rocco Baldelli makes the Twins tough to prepare for.
8. Atlanta Braves (56-48) | Last week: 7 (-1)
Atlanta snapped a six-game losing streak by salvaging a four-game series with a split against the Mets, and positive news about Max Fried (forearm) being able to return soon keeps them in play as a legitimate World Series contender. The key is obviously playing well enough without Ozzie Albies (wrist) over the next several weeks to hold off surging teams in the playoff race.
9. Houston Astros (55-50) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Houston remains tied with Seattle atop the AL West, and they bounced back from a series loss to Oakland to take two games of a weekend series against the Dodgers. No timetable for Kyle Tucker’s return from a tricky shin injury is a wild card ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline.
10. Kansas City Royals (57-49) | Last week: 9 (-1)
Kansas City stays in the top ten with a slight hold on the final playoff spot in the AL—but Boston, Seattle, and Tampa Bay (even after trading Randy Arozarena) are all within 3.0 games in a tight race. This week presents an opportunity to beat up on the White Sox and potentially bury the Tigers.
11. Boston Red Sox (55-49) | Last week: 11
12. Seattle Mariners (56-51) | Last week: 12
13. San Diego Padres (57-51) | Last week: 16 (+3)
14. New York Mets (55-50) | Last week: 15 (+1)
15. St. Louis Cardinals (54-51) | Last week: 13 (-2)
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (55-51) | Last week: 14 (-2)
17. Tampa Bay Rays (54-52) | Last week: 17
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (53-52) | Last week: 18
19. Texas Rangers (51-55) | Last week: 19
20. San Francisco Giants (53-55) | Last week: 22 (+2)
21. Detroit Tigers (52-55) | Last week: 20 (-1)
22. Chicago Cubs (51-56) | Last week: 21 (-1)
23. Cincinnati Reds (50-55) | Last week: 23
24. Toronto Blue Jays (49-56) | Last week: 25 (+1)
25. Washington Nationals (49-57) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Los Angeles Angels (46-60) | Last week: 26
27. Oakland Athletics (44-64) | Last week: 27
28. Miami Marlins (39-67) | Last week: 29 (+1)
29. Colorado Rockies (38-69) | Last week: 28 (-1)
30. Chicago White Sox (27-81) | Last week: 30