Previewing the MLB Trade Deadline during an All-Star break edition of the power rankings.
Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, we’ll take a look at each team’s potential approach as the August 3 trade deadline approaches. While the expanded playoff structure means that more teams can conceivably make the case to contend, rumors usually shift into overdrive after the All-Star break.
We’ll try to get a jump on it here. Cam Schlittler, Chase Burns, and the changing of the guard amongst starting pitchers at the MLB All-Star Game How young starting pitchers at the All-Star game got there so quickly and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. The Dodgers are right where we thought they’d be at the start of the season.
However, they’ve gotten there without key pieces like. Their returns should provide a boost, though obviously the Dodgers can’t be ruled out as a potential destination for Tigers aceCredit to the Brewers for silencing doubters with an amazing first half, but they still have areas of need. A late-inning arm to complementinjured) and third base depth figures to be on the agenda as well.
The farm system is one of the best, so they are in a strong position to do whatever they want. James Schiano analyzes the Brewers' decision to send their breakout starting pitcher to the IL with forearm tightness as they look to contend in the National League postseason picture. The Rays have exceeded all expectations so far, so the question is whether they’ll go all-in or make moves around the margins.
Only needing to pay him for less than half of the season, making a play forwould be a game-changing deal that could vault them to legitimate World Series contender status. Otherwise, a move to lengthen the lineup would be helpful, asAs the Braves cling to a two-game lead in the National League East, rotation help should be at the top of the shopping list in the coming days.
Many have speculated onas a fit, but the Red Sox might have played themselves back into contention. While the Tigers have the jewel of the trade deadline inisn’t coming through that door, they need to do something behind the plate. The same can be said for their bullpen, ashaven’t performed as hoped after coming over at last year’s trade deadline. Granted, it might the definition of insanity to once again be aggressive in the fickle relief pitcher market.
Starting pitching, starting pitcher, and oh, more starting pitching. That will be the primary focus for the Cubs, who have already made a deal forThe Phillies have rebounded after an awful start to the season, but nothing has changed from the way most people saw them at the start of the year. How many more bites at the apple will this aging core get? Dave Dombrowski figures to go for it, even with a weak farm system to deal from.
The Phillies should be on the lookout for relief help and perhaps a right-handed hitting outfielder withas the most logical name to be dealt. However, they have been one of the hottest teams in the majors for a long stretch now. It’s unlikely they’ll make any major moves and jeopardize their future, but it would be surprising if they didn’t improve around the margins. It would be a great message to send to the fanbase and the clubhouse.
We’ll most likely see a similar approach here with the White Sox, who have arrived ahead of schedule in a mediocre American League Central. They have a real chance to win this division, with starting pitching being the clear area of need. The big question is if they’ll target controllable pitching as opposed to pure rentals.
James Schiano talks about the impact "rookie superstar" Munetaka Murakami can make upon his return to the Chicago White Sox, where he can strengthen Chicago on and off the field. Like the Marlins and White Sox above, the Cardinals will try to thread the needle between contending now and building for the long-term. Controllable starting pitching should be a priority for this team.
The Angels’fit the bill and they make for an interesting match with longtime Cardinals executive John Mozeliak now overseeing things for Arte Moreno’s team.coming back soon, but landing a bat still feels like the way to go. They will also be on the hunt for a left-handed reliever, and the Mets have two pretty good ones inNow we’re getting into the truly tough calls.
With a hot or cold streak, a handful of teams could be headed in wildly different directions by August 3. One thing we know for sure is thatin the Gonzalez trade, but they will likely keep looking for bullpen help. James Schiano takes a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the "The Magician" amid his hot streak.
The Rangers have spent the entire season around the .500 mark, so while it’s been frustrating for fans, they’ve shown some staying power despiteThe D-Backs were one of the big sellers at last year’s deadline, but they find themselves caught in the middle at the moment.has only appeared in 12 games this season. Arizona could use rotation help right now, as well as a more stable option at first base, but they might just wait to see how their injured players progress.
The Padres have struggled to hit all year and they’ve faded in recent weeks by losing 11 out of their last 16, so they are more likely to be sellers at this year’s deadline. After acquiringfrom the A’s at last year’s trade deadline, could A.J. Preller decide to deal the dominant closer? The interest would be off the charts, so it’s worth listening.aren’t far off from the majors.
If they truly wanted to make a run at a difference-making hitter, they could dangle a pitcher to get it done. James Schiano weighs in on Bryce Miller's rocky outing against the Marlins, exploring if his velocity dip is a red flag moving forward or if managers should proceed as usual. The Twins were aggressive in moving players at last year’s deadline, but it’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat this time around.
For one, they’ve somehow managed to stick around in the AL Central, quieting the speculation regardingIt wasn’t too long ago that the Red Sox looked like an obvious sellers, but here they are winners of nine in a row and just a half-game back for the final Wild Card spot. It’s a tough spot, with more to be determined in the next couple of weeks.
Maybe the Red Sox don’t turn out to be sellers, but they probably won’t be big buyers either as they wait for some of their big names (The Nationals have lost six out of their last eight, casting doubt on their ability to stay in contention. The offense has been one of the league’s best this season, but pitching has been a different animal entirely. Odds are they’ll be tactical aimed at the long-term.
All-Staronly signed a one-year contract in his return stateside, so the Nationals would be smart to capitalize on his success. The Astros are within range in both the AL West and the Wild Card race, so they should fall into the camp of buyers. General manager Dana Brown, who is in a contract year, has said that he’d like to target a left-handed hitting outfielder.
The Rockies have a pair of interesting ones inTop fantasy prospects selected in the 2026 MLB Draft: Grady Emerson, Jacob Lombard among the bestThe Orioles haven’t been able to put together sustained success all season, potentially setting up Mike Elias to function more as a seller than a buyer. If the Orioles were to sell, players likeThe Blue Jays’ World Series follow-up has been a letdown, mostly due to injuries and underperformance from key veterans, yet here they are very much alive in the playoff race.
Welcome to the American League in 2026. I’m repeating myself here, but with the way this roster is built, the next couple of weeks will determine whether they look outside the organization to improve. Otherwise, they’ll mostly take their chances on a return to form down the stretch. In a way, the Tigers are the lynchpin of this trade deadline.
While they’ve been one of the American League’s better teams for a few weeks now, they still find themselves 6.5 games back in the AL Central and 3.5 games back for the final Wild Card spot, with six teams in front of them. Trading/Angels example from a couple of years ago should be a cautionary tale of standing pat on a star player in his walk year.
As mentioned earlier,The Reds will need a lot to go right to avoid being sellers in a couple of weeks. They’ll likely move impending free agents (Plenty of ink has already been spilled on how the Giants are expected to approach the deadline.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Buster Posey and company are open to trading everyone outside ofTop prospects Kade Anderson, Leo De Vries and Josue De Paula make their rankings debuts in this way-too-early look at the 2027 season. The Athletics were alive in the playoff race at one point, but they’ve lost nine straight and should at least be ruled out from any significant buys.
Perhaps the A’s surprise again after dealinglast year, but they’ll likely try to move a couple of players who are due to become free agents. We’re talking about guys likeThings get interesting here with the Mets, who faceplanted through a miserable first half and have resigned themselves to be sellers. , even though he’s underperformed, should still fetch a nice return.
Otherwise, the Mets should field plenty of interest for their bullpen arms, with impending free agentsis one of the more interesting names on the market as he works his way back from a fractured fibula, though the Mets are reportedly interested in a contract extension. This could be an ideal time for the new front office to put their stamp on the ballclub.
Even if the Rockies resist trading sluggerlikely to draw interest, but how much will John Mozeliak feel compelled to do after the recent ouster of Perry Minasian? Mozeliak is more of a caretaker, so he could leave the next GM/president of baseball operations to make the decisions on players under team control beyond this year.
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