Now that rosters are settled post trade deadline, both the Mets and Blue Jays are soaring up our MLB Power Rankings.
By Robby Sabo
Very rarely does a team who starts out of the April gates quickly stay as hot in September. And very few teams who win the offseason (see the Padres, White Sox) stay relevant past the All-Star break.
This is Major League Baseball in August – the time for which the chasing really begins.
Pennant races truly begin now based purely on the timeline. Two months remaining of a six month schedule comes out to simple math.
More importantly, however, comes the factor of post trade deadline rosters.
Although the advent of the second Wild Card has changed things substantially, buyers and sellers do shake themselves eventually. This past week we witnessed a few teams considerably improve their clubs.
Locally, Sandy Alderson did wonders for his New York Mets. Although first reaction had Mets fans singing the same old “poor me” tune after the Carlos Gomez fiasco, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Not only did they acquire a better hitter in Yoenis Cespedes, but Alderson found a way to keep both Zack Wheeler and the Mets newest cult-hero Wilmer Flores in tow.
On the AL side of things, the Toronto Blue Jays were probably the biggest winners on paper.
Sure the Jose Reyes for Troy Tulowitzki trade had many scratching their heads, but acquiring lefty ace David Price from Dave Dombrowski and the Detroit Tigers puts them in prime playoff position.
There’s no question both the Mets and Blue Jays have stocks soaring higher than Apple in the early to mid 2000s, but who were the big losers this past week?
Here are our post-trade deadline MLB Power Rankings:
30. Miami Marlins
Not only are the Miami Marlins just barely ahead of the Phillies in the standings, but their 2-8 record over their last 10 gives them the dreaded No. 30 spot. Additionally, getting spanked by the Mets the past three nights hasn’t helped matters.
29. Milwaukee Brewers
Another team who’s sporting a horrid 2-8 record over their last 10 are the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ve been absolutely dreadful since the break.
28. Philadelphia Phillies
Surprisingly, the Philadelphia Phillies have kicked it into gear post break with an incredible 13-3 record in their last 16 games. Perhaps No. 28 doesn’t even do this less than talented crew justice.
27. Colorado Rockies
No more Troy Tulowtizki, 3-7 over their last 10, and tied for the third fewest wins in MLB with 45 puts the Rockies No. 27.
26. Oakland Athletics
2015 is bringing anything other than magic from Billy Beane and company. Ben Zobrist and Scott Kazmir are now both gone which will place this free-falling squad in even more desperate straits.
25. Atlanta Braves
John Hart’s club was a pleasant surprise over the first couple of months, but then started the nose-dive shortly thereafter. Hey, at least they’re not the San Diego Padres: a club who acquired everybody and still stinks.
24. Cleveland Indians
The only thing more disappointing than the horrid 2015 for Terry Francona’s Cleveland Indians would be another LeBron James departure.
23. Cincinnati Reds
The fire-sale was officially on once MLB turned their attention away from Todd Frazier and the MLB All-Stars. Johnny Cueto is now the only happy man who’s played for the Reds this season.
22. Boston Red Sox
Regardless of how sparkly your lineup might look heading into the season, it doesn’t garner immediate success. The Boston Red Sox offense simply hasn’t gotten it done to offset a brutal rotation.
21. Seattle Mariners
Another enigma comes from Seattle as the Mariners aren’t exactly what we thought they were heading into 2015. Robbie Cano cannot get on track and their 50-59 record has many still scratching their heads.
20. Texas Rangers
Only a 6-4 record in their last 10 and some feel good moments post All-Star break has gotten the Texas Rangers (53-53) up to No. 20 in the rankings.
19. Tampa Bay Rays
We once thought Kevin Cash’s amazing rookie managerial campaign would contend with the Yankees all season long. Not any longer as the Tampa Bay Rays have exposed themselves.
18. Detroit Tigers
Not only had David Price and Yoenis Cespedes exited for greener pastures, but general manager Dave Dombrowski has been let go. While the Detroit Tigers still sport a below average record of 51-55, it’s all downhill from here.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
A 7-3 record over their last 10 games just tells part of the story. The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt, are actually making some noise in the tough NL West.
16. San Diego Padres
Although the entire baseball world was ultra excited about A.J. Preller’s acquisitions this past hot-stove, cooler MLB-heads realized he was trying to fit a square pegs in round holes. Teams simply aren’t build that way and not unloading Justin Upton and other pieces prior to the deadline will screw this franchise up even further.
15. Chicago White Sox
At 51-55, the Chicago White Sox have decided to stand pat and make a run at one of the AL Wild Cards this season. The only problem is, they won’t make it.
14. Baltimore Orioles
Buck Showalter deserves all the credit in the world to have this lackluster Baltimore Orioles club hanging around in the AL East.
13. Minnesota Twins
Even still, nobody believes in the Minnesota Twins. Still though, they continue to hang around with a 54-52 mark. They fall out of the top 10 though based on a two win mark over their last 10.
12. Washington Nationals
There’s no stock dropping faster than the Washington Nationals. Getting swept by the Mets and then losing to the Diamondbacks on Monday, Bryce Harper and company are in trouble. So much for “best team on paper” material.
11. Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout and the Angels better be careful or the Astros will build a lead they simply cannot contend with. Pitching will be the reason they sink or float the next two months.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
No AL team improved their chances at a postseason berth more than the Toronto Blue Jays. While it’s tough to see a top prospect like Daniel Norris go, making the playoffs for the first time since 1993 needs to be the priority for a starved fanbase.
9. Chicago Cubs
Jon Lester has a 2.08 ERA in his last nine starts. If he gets going down the stretch, the Chicago Cubs will have one wild pennant chasing ride in them.
8. New York Mets
This side of Toronto, the New York Mets enjoyed the top MLB awakening during the trade deadline. The club swept away the Nats, took first place, and have now won six straight games behind their studly pitching and a rejuvenated lineup. Nobody will want to face this pitching rich club in a short series.
7. San Francisco Giants
The tried and tested San Francisco Giants will never fall out of the Top 10 based purely on their character and merit. The Dodgers better be careful the rest of the way.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
Speaking of those Los Angeles Dodgers, only two games now separates them and the defending World Series Champions. They’ll keep trucking along with their two aces.
5. New York Yankees
Prior to Wednesday night’s game against Boston, the New York Yankees plated 90 runs in their last 10 games. A dominant bullpen and a lineup to die for (2nd in MLB with 525 runs) has the Bronx Bombers dreaming big.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
How good are the Pittsburgh Pirates? It’s too bad that they play in the NL Central. If they didn’t, no Wild Card games would be in their future.
3. Houston Astros
Although they’ve just been average as of late, they’ve taken advantage of an Angels free-fall and now lead the AL West by 1.5. The additions of Carlos Gomez and Kazmir could loom large.
2. Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals have to still be considered the favorites in the AL. Many people are still trying to figure out how they get it done. However, we do know they get it done (2nd most wins in MLB, 63).
1. St. Louis Cardinals
The model franchise in MLB, the St. Louis Cardinals, will top the power rankings until they show some signs of weakness. Leading the bigs with a 67-39 record, manager Mike Matheny has his club exactly where he wants it.