.png?w=1280 "MLB Power Rankings")
MLB Power Rankings with New No. 1 Team as Brewers, Cubs Overtake Tigers
With the All-Star break in the rearview and regular-season baseball back in full swing, the MLB world now shifts its focus to the rapidly approaching trade deadline. And with roughly 100 games done for each team, there are still a number of clubs toeing the line between contender and non-contender.
In a season where there hasn't been one singularly dominant team—the No. 1 team in this week's rankings is the eighth different one that has occupied the top spot already this year—more teams on the bubble might be convinced to buy, or at least stand pat at this deadline.
That means fewer available trade candidates, but it also means the players who are made available will command a higher prospect return, which could in turn convince sellers to be more aggressive in dismantling their rosters.
At any rate, the next few days will go a long way in shaping the remainder of the season, as a line will inevitably be drawn in the sand between contenders and pretenders on Aug. 1.
For now, let's take an updated look at where all 30 teams stand across baseball.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Colorado Rockies (24-75)
Previous Rank: 3-0
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIN
Despite their status as obvious sellers, the Rockies roster is light on potential trade chips. Third baseman Ryan McMahon could help a contender if Colorado is willing to pay down some of his salary, and he went 4-for-11 with two doubles and two home runs in three games against the Twins to kick off the second half.
29. Washington Nationals (39-60)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD
The Nationals are 2-10 over their last 12 games since a surprise series win over the Tigers to begin July, and they will need to finish 33-30 over their final 63 games to improve on last year's 71-91 finish. There has been some recent speculation that MacKenzie Gore could be shopped this summer, though it would take a massive haul to pry him loose with club control through 2027.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-61)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 0-3 vs. CWS
A three-game sweep at the hands of the White Sox was a less-than-ideal way for the Pirates to start the second half, and they will be open for business at the trade deadline. Only ace Paul Skenes and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen are off-limits in trade talks, while late-inning relievers Dennis Santana and David Bednar are a safe bet to be moved this summer as anyone.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Chicago White Sox (35-65)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 3-0 @ PIT
The White Sox entered the All-Star break as the only team in baseball without a series sweep in 2025, and it took them three games to erase that unfortunate statistic once the second half began. Luis Robert Jr. went 5-for-10 with a home run against the Pirates, and even a flash of his past production might be enough to drive trade interest.
26. Atlanta Braves (43-55)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYY
The Braves began the second half with Joey Wentz, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder and Davis Daniel penciled into the four spots behind Spencer Strider in the starting rotation, which speaks volumes to the current state of a team expected to contend for a division title. They acquired Dane Dunning in a trade with the Rangers last week, and he is capable of chewing up some innings in a swingman role.
25. Athletics (42-59)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE
The Athletics have used a staggering 20 different rookies this season, including Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz, Jacob Lopez, Max Muncy and Denzel Clarke, and the second half will be all about continuing to assess young up-and-coming talent. As far as potential trade activity goes, veterans Luis Urías and Gio Urshela might be of interest to a contender, but expect a relatively quiet deadline.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Baltimore Orioles (44-54)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 1-2 @ TB
The O's showed some brief signs of life before the All-Star break with a 6-1 stretch of games. But after suffering back-to-back losses to close out the first half, they ran that losing streak to four games before Sunday's victory. Rental starters Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano could all be pitching elsewhere in August, while Ryan O'Hearn and Cedric Mullins might be their most valuable trade chips.
23. Kansas City Royals (48-52)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIA
The Guardians, White Sox and Athletics are the only AL teams with a worse record than the Royals since the beginning of May, and they have fallen well short of elevated expectations following last year's playoff berth. The offense ranks 29th in the majors with 343 runs scored, and they have squandered a rock-solid starting rotation as a result. Look for Seth Lugo to be on the move at the deadline as he has a player option for 2026 that will likely be declined.
22. Minnesota Twins (48-51)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 1-2 @ COL
The Twins went 18-8 in May, 9-18 in June and they are 8-7 in July, so who knows what to expect from them going forward. Relievers Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax will be hot commodities if they decide to sell, though it would not be surprising to see them simply stand pat.
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Nos. 21-19
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21. Miami Marlins (46-52)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC
The Marlins opened some eyes with an eight-game winning streak at the end of June and into July. And while they have cooled off since that run, they are still 8-7 in their last 15 games. There is no bigger reason for excitement if you're a Marlins fan than the return of a healthy Eury Pérez, who has logged a 3.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 34 innings since making his season debut on June 9.
20. Cleveland Guardians (48-50)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATH
Since dropping two a season-low eight games below .500 on July 6, the Guardians have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, picking up series wins over the Astros, White Sox and Athletics along the way. They have the second-easiest remaining schedule in baseball, according to Tankathon, so don't rule them out of the wild-card race just yet.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (51-49)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 0-3 @ ARI
The Cardinals spent much of the first half exceeding expectations, but a 4-10 record in July might be enough for them to still end up selling at the trade deadline as many expected when the season started. Closer Ryan Helsley and starter Sonny Gray are their two most obvious trade chips, while Steven Matz and Phil Maton might be the most likely players to be dealt.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Los Angeles Angels (49-50)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI
The Angels are well on their way to improving on last year's 63-99 finish, but they still sit a distant fourth in the AL West standings and sixth in the AL wild-card pecking order. Will a run at a winning record be enough reason for them to hold onto Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Kenley Jansen and their other potential trade chips, or will they sell?
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (50-50)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 3-0 vs. STL
With 13 of their next 25 games against the Rockies (x7), Pirates (x3) and Athletics (x3), the Diamondbacks face an interesting decision at the trade deadline as they sit 4.5 games back with four teams to pass for the third NL wild-card spot. More than a few contenders are hoping All-Star slugger Eugenio Suárez will be available.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (52-48)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BAL
The Rays were just a half-game back in the AL East standings on June 28 following an 11-3 rout of the Orioles, but they have stumbled to a 5-12 record in their last 17 games and tumbled to fourth in the division standings in the process. Veterans Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe and Zack Littell are all potential trade candidates as they continue to look for ways to slash payroll while staying competitive.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Cincinnati Reds (52-48)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 2-1 @ NYM
The Reds are 6-2 in their last eight games and now sit tied with the Giants as the first team on the outside looking in for a NL wild-card berth. With an .877 OPS, 10 home runs and 40 RBI in only 187 plate appearances, Austin Hays has been one of the most impactful additions of the offseason playing on a one-year, $5 million deal.
14. Texas Rangers (50-50)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 2-1 vs. DET
The vultures were circling the Rangers roster as trade buzz started to heat up in June, but they have vaulted back into the playoff picture thanks to a 9-6 record and plus-39 run differential in July. They are 28-20 at home, compared to 22-30 on the road, so they will need to improve their fortunes away from Globe Life Field to crash the playoff party.
13. San Francisco Giants (52-48)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 0-3 @ TOR
The Giants have lost five straight and six of their last seven, and that opened the door for the Padres to pass them in the NL West standings. The offense has a .662 OPS and is averaging 3.8 runs per game in July. And while they already made their big splash by acquiring Rafael Devers from the Red Sox, they still need at least one more bat with first base and second base the logical spots to upgrade.
Nos. 12-10
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12. New York Mets (56-44)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CIN
The Mets are 4-6 with a pair of series losses in their last 10 games, and they face one of the toughest remaining schedules of any contender, according to Tankathon. Their upcoming West Coast road trip will be big, as they look to improve on their 22-28 showing away from Citi Field while taking on the Giants and Padres, starting this Friday.
11. San Diego Padres (54-45)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 2-1 @ WAS
With a 23-36 record against teams above the .500 mark, the Padres are one of the more confounding contenders. They have plenty of star power, but there are also some glaring needs to address at the deadline. At the very least, they need to find an everyday left fielder, which would allow them to shift Gavin Sheets into the primary DH role.
10. Boston Red Sox (54-47)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 1-2 @ CHC
The Red Sox entered the All-Star break riding a 10-game winning streak, but they were met on the other side by a very good Cubs team playing at Wrigley Field and settled for avoiding a sweep. The trio of Garrett Crochet (20.0 IP, 1.35 ERA), Brayan Bello (26.1 IP, 2.73 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (19.0 IP, 2.37 ERA) has been fantastic in July, and suddenly the rotation is no longer the weakness it was for much of the first half.
Nos. 9-7
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9. New York Yankees (55-44)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 2-1 @ ATL
The Yankees began July by matching a season high with a six-game losing streak, but they have righted the ship to go 7-3 in their last 10 games. Finding an upgrade at third base and a starting pitcher to help ease the loss of Clarke Schmidt will be their top priorities at the trade deadline, and the up-for-grabs nature of the AL East could make them aggressive buyers.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (56-43)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAA
The Phillies signed veteran David Robertson on Sunday in an effort to bolster a bullpen that has been a weakness all season, and more additions to the relief corps will likely be coming before the deadline passes. With nine of their next 12 games against the Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers, the next few weeks will put their NL East lead to the test.
7. Houston Astros (57-42)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ SEA
With Isaac Paredes (strained hamstring) joining the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena and Jake Meyers on the injured list over the weekend, it's looking more and more like the Astros will need to prioritize adding a bat at the deadline. At the same time, they could also use another reliable arm to slot behind Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez in the rotation. With a thin farm system, it will be interesting to see how active they are at the deadline.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Seattle Mariners (53-46)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 2-1 vs. HOU
The Mariners offense has piled up 81 runs over 15 games in July, and a five-game winning streak against the Tigers and Astros prior to Sunday's loss is proof they belong in the same conversation as the AL's top contenders. With the No. 1 farm system in baseball, they can do anything they want at the trade deadline.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (58-42)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIL
The Dodgers failed to avoid getting swept on Sunday, and they also lost first baseman Freddie Freeman after he was hit on the left wrist with a pitch, though X-rays were negative and he is viewed as day-to-day. With a 2-8 record in their last 10 games, they are not playing their best baseball right now, but they still hold a 3.5-game lead in the NL West standings.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (58-41)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 3-0 vs. SF
The Blue Jays have not had a losing streak longer than two games since June 15, and they are 20-8 since then, good for the best record in the AL and second-best record in baseball behind the Brewers. With Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes making an impact, the outfield is not the glaring hole it might otherwise have been, though adding another bat and a late-inning bullpen arm will still likely be on the to-do list.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Detroit Tigers (60-40)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 1-2 @ TEX
The Tigers have the largest division lead of any team in baseball, and while some of that has to do with the fact that they are the only AL Central team with a winning record, they also have the best record in all of baseball. The bullpen that was such a strength during their surprise late-season push a year ago might now be their most obvious area to potentially upgrade at the deadline.
2. Chicago Cubs (59-40)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BOS
The Cubs sandwiched a pair of impressive series wins over the Yankees and Red Sox around the All-Star break, and now they are lined up for the easiest second-half schedule of any team in baseball. They have the farm system depth, the clear need and the title upside to go all-in at the trade deadline, and that could mean adding one of the market's top starting pitchers and top bullpen arms.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (59-40)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 3-0 @ LAD
The Brewers finished off a series sweep of the Dodgers on Sunday and tied the Cubs atop the NL Central standings in the process. The bottom of the order of Isaac Collins, Caleb Durbin, Blake Perkins and Joey Ortiz has been shouldering the load offensively of late, while Quinn Priester has quietly emerged as a reliable rotation option. That's Brewers baseball at its finest, getting unexpected contributions up and down the roster. They welcome the Cubs to American Family Field for a three-game series starting next Monday.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
6. Seattle Mariners
7. Houston Astros
8. Philadelphia Phillies
9. New York Yankees
10. Boston Red Sox
11. San Diego Padres
12. New York Mets
13. San Francisco Giants
14. Texas Rangers
15. Cincinnati Reds
16. Tampa Bay Rays
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
18. Los Angeles Angels
19. St. Louis Cardinals
20. Cleveland Guardians
21. Miami Marlins
22. Minnesota Twins
23. Kansas City Royals
24. Baltimore Orioles
25. Athletics
26. Atlanta Braves
27. Chicago White Sox
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
29. Washington Nationals
30. Colorado Rockies
Stars of the Week
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Hitter of the Week: Eugenio Suárez, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stats: 5-for-10, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R
Suárez is now the NL leader in home runs (35) and RBI (85) following consecutive two-homer games on Saturday and Sunday to help propel the D-backs to a sweep of the Cardinals. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, no player has ever been traded in a season where he had already reached 35 home runs.
Pitcher of the Week: Quinn Priester, Milwaukee Brewers
Stats: 1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
A former top prospect in the Pirates organization, Priester is enjoying a post-hype breakout season in his first year with the Brewers after coming over from the Red Sox in an April trade. The 24-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 94.2 innings, and his six shutout innings and 10 strikeouts on Friday came against the high-powered Dodgers lineup.
Rookie of the Week: Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs
Stats: 1 GS, ND, 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
For the third time in his last six starts, Horton blanked the opposition during his time on the mound, helping the Cubs close out a series victory over the Red Sox on Sunday. If he can find more consistency during the second half, he could play a major role in a potential playoff push.
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