PRE-TRADE DEADLINE POWER RANKINGS
by Alex "Moose" Strizak
With the trade deadline approaching, and it being a trade deadline of unique fashion, there will be much debate over whether teams should go all-in for a title in this short season. The argument against that is the fact that the first round of the playoffs is only a 3 GAME SERIES which is ridiculous. The top seeds should get a bye or make them 5 game series because baseball is such a wild sport and the top records deserve some form of reward.
Before we preview the buyers, sellers, and power rankings, let's revisit a trade to highlight the true impact trades can have.
We've pretty much all heard of that trade of Frank Robinson from the Reds to the Orioles for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun, and Dick Sumpson. Cincannati got 31 pitching victories and a .246 hitter while the Orioles got a former MVP that went on to win another MVP with a 49 home run year.
We may have a trade that could eventually size up close to the Cincinnati blunder... Now, trading prospects is difficult because far more prospects don't make an impact at the major league level than prospects that do...
June 4, 2016 - The San Diego Padres trade James Shields for Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Erik Johnson.
And Fernando Tatis, Jr. wasn't an MVP when the White Sox traded him, but only 17 years old with raw talent that wasn't proven to translate to Major League success. BUT it was known that he had potential to be a player who could be the base in potentially building a franchise.
The White Sox were gripping on to their last hopes of playoff opportunities before an inevitable rebuild would come, so at the time adding James Shields seemed to be a necessity due to his ability to eat innings. That definitely did NOT happen.
The one-time all star would come to Chicago on June 4, 2016 and finish the 2016 season with a 4-12 record and a 6.77 ERA in a White Sox uniform. In 2017, Shields only pitched 117 innings with an ERA over five before finishing his Major League career in 2018 with a 7-16 win-loss record.
The other end of the trade? Tatis, Jr. would put up an OPS right around .850 his first two full years in the minors for the Padres. He was showing flashes of potential, but was lacking the consistency. However, the Padres were building around him to give him a shot, and at age 20 he took full advantage of that opportunity.
Called up at age 20, Tatis, Jr. would hit .317 with 22 homers in 84 games. Unlike so many rookies we see get scouted out, the league still can't figure out how to pitch him. Now age 21, Tatis, Jr. is steamrolling his way to a 2020 MVP award as he may put up an OPS over 1.000.
His glove is developing faster than I expected, and his baseball instincts and the unteachable skills he has are what make me think this isn't a fluke. This dude is legit, and the White Sox will definitely miss him as their current rebuild has been successful... but would've been sooooo much sweeter with Tatis, Jr. joining that lineup.
Who Should be Buyers
Atlanta Braves
This team is all set to be a playoff team, but can they beat a team like the Dodgers or A's? With their current pitching staff and bullpen, I have my doubts. They do have Ozuna on a team-friendly one year contract and I think that, even though this is a weird season to figure out, they should go out and ask the Angels for the price on Bundy, or the Giants with Trevor Cahill, or the Mariners with Marco Gonzales... You get the idea, look for starting pitching that may get you 5 solid innings in a tough postseason format. If they don't add any starting pitching (or multiple relievers to compensate for it) it'll be a big missed opportunity and a potential doormat for the Dodgers.
Oakland A's
Billy Beane said that the A's had been building for the 2020 season and they are absolutely a great team. They have power, speed, and a bullpen on fire... The only concern would be the lack of consistency in the starting rotation, as Fiers, Montas, and Manaea have had their struggles at times. Go out and spend big on a hot pitcher like Lance Lynn or Dylan Bundy to go with Bassitt and Luzardo, and this team is by-far the front runner in the American League with the Yankees banged up.
Los Angeles Dodgers
I know, I know... All they have done is buy, buy, buy... But believe it or not, I don't think they're a championship team at this moment. I know Dodger fans are sick of hearing me say it, but they should also be sick of not sealing the deal in the World Series because they still don't have a ring which sadly still makes me right!
Anyway, they continue to be the best regular season team. BUT, to be the best postseason team they'll need one more outfielder, as Joc Pederson ain't cutting it behind Pollock (who get's hurt on the regular). Go add a veteran like Alex Gordon from the Royals or Kevin Pillar/Jackie Bradley Jr. who are famous hot/cold guys that could get hot at the right time for the playoffs.
The bullpen has been surprisingly solid, so I would look more towards a bridge-starter like Danny Duffy and while I have the Royals on the phone, I would ask about Scott Barlow to bolster my bullpen.
Who Should be Sellers
Detroit Tigers
They've had some success and some prospects are showing promise. This isn't the time to buy in, but instead build around the foundation they are setting. Put Cron, Schoop, JaCoby Jones, and maybe even Miggy on the block to see what kind of young prospects you can bring in to take a flyer on. They sure could use some hitting prospects to go with their stellar pitching prospects.
Washington Nationals
Crazy to think a team can win a World Series and the next year be on my seller list. But they lost Rendon in the offseason, missed Soto the first two weeks, and Strasburg is out for the year. With the universal DH, there's a rare chance to trade with NL teams who need the extra hitter and I'd look to move guys like Thames, Kendrick, and Castro for some younger players. I wouldn't touch too much of the pitching and would hope to regroup next year with a few free agent signings in the order and the bullpen to help out Soto, Scherzer, and Strasburg.
Colorado Rockies
A hot start has now been overshadowed by a rough mid-August run. Your superstar has vocalized wanting to be traded, but this weird season may lead to less teams likely to make a big deal (unless you're the Dodgers with Mookie Betts I guess). If you don't like what you hear on Arenado, I'd be listening to offers on McMahon, Murphy, and Dahl with the universal DH.
ALL of my pitchers would be free game to discuss in a trade, because I just can't figure out if you should get sinker-ball pitchers or 100 mph pitchers in Coors... I'm leaning towards the hard throwers, but I still would be willing to move my pitchers for young bats.
Top Ten
1. Oakland A's +8
They are quite the ballclub. They have solid starting pitching, a fantastic bullpen, and every night I feel like I'm watching their lineup come up clutch throughout the entire order.
It's pretty clear that they are the best team in the AL West (Astros fans, your team better figure it out soon before the whispers become facts about the cheating scandal). The big question is if the A's can beat a healthy Yankee team or pitch to the Twins power-packed lineup... For now with the Yankees beat up and the Twins battling the White Sox, they do look like the top team in the AL.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers -
The bullpen has really surprised me with their consistency. The Dodgers are lacking some starting pitching, but the bullpen has picked up the slack while their lineup is just getting into full gear.
They're a great team, I just get nervous in a 3 game series if Kershaw continues his playoff woes and you hand the ball to Dustin May in a game 3 decider when you're not quite sure what you'll get out of him. They're good, but they still have work to do to win me over.
3. New York Yankees -2
This team finally gets healthy and is mashing baseballs so I hype them up. Then, they go and all get hurt at the same time so I think down on them. Then, their replacement squad comes in and competes at a high level.
Bottom line, this team is very deep. Otherwise they'd be under .500 because they already are missing half their lineup and are still competing for first in the AL East. Aside from the whole taxi squad going down, too... It can only go up from here.
4. Minnesota Twins -1
This lineup is fearsome and it's too bad Lance Lynn couldn't be still pitching for them with the success he is having. That being said, the depth in the Twins rotation could use a boost, but there's no reason to doubt this team being poised to make a postseason run. They have an underrated bullpen, which could be the difference in helping their stud lineup out in a tight three game series to start the postseason.
5. Chicago White Sox -
This division sure is crowded. I'm a fan of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Chicago all being poised for postseason runs. I give the Chi Sox the advantage over Cleveland because of the Plesac/Clevinger drama that cost that team two great starters that I don't know if they'll be allowed back on the team after their loose comments on the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on MLB players.
The White Sox have a better lineup than Cleveland, but Minnesota is tough to beat in that department. I do think they have the best starting rotation NOW with two Cleveland starters out of the locker room and they should look to take full advantage of that in the hunt for a higher playoff seed.
6. San Diego Padres +2
This team is rolling and grand slammin' almost every day. Their lineup is really starting to show its true potential and their bullpen has come back to what we were pretty much expecting of them, even with Yates out. Tatis, Jr. is the type of stud that's a game changer and hopefully they can get Pham back soon for that veteran presence.
Their fifth rotation spot has been a bit of a carousel, and I think they should absolutely be on the attack at the deadline for a pitcher. They are right on the Dodgers heels and adding a Danny Duffy, Lance Lynn, Marco Gonzales, or heck even Matthew Boyd hoping he turns it around this year could elevate them to that level of reliable rotation, bullpen, AND lineup.
7. Chicago Cubs -1
They keep on grinding these wins out and the only threat to them in the NL Central is the Cardinals, as the Brewers and Reds continue to struggle.
The Cardinals have a lot of games coming up and I think they could still make a run to win the division (like the preseason prediction), but the Cubs have consistently put up solid numbers and are making it more difficult everyday for the Red Birds. Consistency is great, but in a 3 game first round playoffs you may need someone to get hot quick, and Baez could be that guy.
8. Cleveland Indians +3
I'd have this team higher if they had Plesac and Clevinger, but the two lost the trust of the locker room by going out to dinner against protocols and then questioning the punishment after it was issued.
Cleveland would have the best starting staff in the league if the two returned. Without them, I fear they lack the depth to make a deep postseason run, but I am still a fan of this team.
9. Atlanta Braves -5
Up and down, up and down, up and down... This team is lucky they are in the NL East because the whole division could be defined as "struggling" except the Marlins who are exceeding expectations.
It's pretty obvious that they need help in the starting rotation, and I'd be ok if they even looked lower down the price tag at guys like Cueto, Trevor Williams, and Kyle Gibson because they need all the help they can get. The lineup needs no improvement, devote alllll resources to the rotation.
10. Toronto Blue Jays -
Even with Bichette, Shoemaker, Pearson, and more on the IL, this team continues to win ballgames. Biggio is developing into quite a ballplayer, and their bullpen has had many guys stand up and throw up consecutive zeroes like Romano, Cole Hatch, Dolis, Bass, and the list goes on.
I put them in that Yankee category where things can only go up, as their players will start to return to help out the replacement squad that has looked solid on its own.
On the Bubble (11-20)
This area is crowded with teams that really look like they should be Top 10. Some have underperformed, some I have lost confidence in, others I never really had confidence in.
The Rays fall into the category on not really having confidence all year. They beat a depleted Yankee squad, but have struggled against the Blue Jays and the Orioles. I feel they don't have the steam to keep this train rolling much longer.
The rest of the bubble teams are teams I'm losing confidence in, Philly being the biggest disappointment of the group in that the division is being left for grabs and they're not even close to looking like a team that can lock it down.
I like what I've seen from the Cardinals and think the can re-join the Top 10 hopefully soon... But I am disappointed in the Reds because their starting pitching has been fantastic but they just can't secure victories late.
And the Astros? Well, they better start looking like they did the last four-plus years before the whispers become reality... That the cheating scandal had more to do with their success than their talent...
11. Tampa Bay Rays +6
12. St. Louis Cardinals +3
13. Philadelphia Phillies -6
14. Houston Astros -
15. Washington Nationals -3
16. Cincinnati Reds -3
17. San Francisco Giants +1
18. Baltimore Orioles +9
19. Milwaukee Brewers -
20. Colorado Rockies -4
The Rest of the Pack (21-30)
The bottom is filled with sadness this ranking. The Marlins have played really well, and yet they just miss getting out of the basement here because I still think the crappy NL East is inflating their stats.
The rest of these teams have been a struggle-bus. The Red Sox and Angels are setting new levels of disappointment for the amount of money spent. The Rangers have flashes of greatness, but they just can't find ways to win games consistently.
And the Mets? I tell you every year that they're not that good and should rebuild. They're under .500 and not that far out of first place. Then again, that division stinks so far, so it should only get worse before it gets better for the Mets... Please send DeGrom somewhere he can play in the postseason and people can see he is the best pitcher in baseball.
21. Miami Marlins +4
22. Detroit Tigers -2
23. Texas Rangers -1
24. New York Mets -
25. Los Angeles Angels -4
26. Arizona Diamondbacks +2
27. Boston Red Sox -4
28. Kansas City Royals +1
29. Pittsburgh Pirates -3
30. Seattle Mariners -
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