Major League Baseball Power Rankings: Deadline Edition

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

This is week two of my weekly power rankings. With so many rosters having changed in the last two days, it might get a little crazy, so please bear with me!

I will not be taking things like divisional factors into account very much, although they are very real, I don't think that's the purpose of power rankings. So we're now about a week into the second half, let's see where each team stands.

1. New York Yankees (62-40)

Although the Yankees didn't make any big moves at the deadline, it looks like they probably won't need to. Even if the Red Sox are able to overtake them for the AL East title, I just don't see anyone challenging them for the wild card.

The Yanks have continued to play great baseball, even without much quality starting pitching. Their amazing offense has carried them, and they've been helped by a few role players stepping up. They remain 2.5 games up in the East.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (63-39)

The Dodgers haven't been playing well over the last 4 or 5 days, but they still have the best record in baseball, and that's hard to ignore. The only piece the Dodgers added at the deadline was lefty reliever George Sherrill from the Orioles, but he should be able to solidify their bullpen a little bit. They remain the heavy favorites to win the NL West.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (60-40)

The fact that the Angels have continued to surge without Torii Hunter or Vladimir Guerrerro baffles me, and I still don't see anyone overtaking them in the AL West. They're 11-3 since the All-Star break, and you have to assume that they'll only get better when they get their star outfielders back.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (58-42)

With the Phillies recent acquisition of reigning American League Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee from the Indians, they have pretty much solidified their playoff chances. With that offense, and with Hamels and Lee heading their rotation, I don't see any other team even coming close to challenging them. At this point, they may be the favorites to win it all.

5. Boston Red Sox (59-42)

The Red Sox greatly improved their team today, by acquiring all-star catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians. They lead the wild card, and I think still have a really good shot at overtaking the New York Yankees in the AL East. David Ortiz heating up as of late hasn't helped them as much as you would expect, but you have to figure it's going to be big for them in the long run.

6. Texas Rangers (57-43)

The Rangers have been playing great baseball. They've managed to nearly keep pace with the Angels, despite the fact that they've gone 11-3 since the break. The Rangers don't have the pitching to hang with the Angels for the next two months, but I still think they made the right choice for their future by not cutting a deal for Roy Halladay.

7. San Francisco Giants (56-46)

With their acquisitions of Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez, the Giants become the favorites to win the NL Wild Card. Offense has been their problem all season, and they made great strides towards fixing it. If their pitching can hold up, which it should, they have a good shot at making a postseason appearance.

8. Chicago Cubs (54-46)

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