MLB Power Rankings with Padres Climbing, Marlins Lurking and Rangers, Mets Stumbling
The dust is still settling on one of the busier trade deadline days in recent memory, but it's time to reset the MLB landscape for the final two months of the season with our first weekly power rankings since the line between buyers and sellers became abundantly clear on Thursday.
Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have a wealth of talent on paper and a massive payroll on the books. However, there has been no clear No. 1 team in baseball this season, evidenced by the fact that 10 different teams have occupied the top spot in our weekly rankings to this point.
Along with recent performance, this week's power rankings will also take into account what each team did or didn't do at this year's trade deadline, so don't be surprised if a team fell despite a good week on the field or climbed while dropping a series or two.
A total of 19 teams could be identified as either buyers or holders at this year's deadline, and only 12 teams will make the postseason, so there is still a lot to be sorted out in the coming weeks as the playoff picture is still far from taking shape.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Colorado Rockies (30-81)
Previous Rank: 30
Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE, 2-1 vs. PIT
The Rockies generally sit on their hands at the trade deadline, seemingly content with ongoing mediocrity, but this season represented a step in the right direction as they accepted the role of seller. They unloaded Ryan McMahon's remaining contract, and flipped relievers Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley for prospects. It's still not the full-scale rebuild this organization so desperately needs, but it is a step toward not just running out the same team again in 2026.
29. Washington Nationals (44-67)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 0-3 vs. MIL
The Nationals moved Michael Soroka, Kyle Finnegan, Alex Call, Amed Rosario, Andrew Chafin and Luis García (the relief pitcher) ahead of the deadline, selling off expiring contracts and expendable pieces without mortgaging what they're building by moving someone like ace MacKenzie Gore. With seven games left against the Phillies and six left against the Mets, they have a chance to play spoiler in the NL East race.
28. Minnesota Twins (52-59)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 1-2 vs. BOS, 1-2 @ CLE
After trading a staggering 10 players from the 26-man roster last week, the Twins roster looks completely different, and guys like Austin Martin, Edouard Julien, Alan Roden, Zebby Matthews and Cole Sands will now have an opportunity to make their case for a more significant role in 2026. Trading away controllable relievers Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax, along with the Carlos Correa salary dump, signaled a larger rebuild as opposed to just a reset. Now it's fair to wonder if more dominos will fall this offseason after ace Joe Ryan saw his name come up in trade talks as well.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Atlanta Braves (47-63)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 1-2 @ KC, 2-1 @ CIN
Why are upcoming free agents Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias still wearing Braves uniforms? GM Alex Anthopoulos reportedly never approached Ozuna about a potential trade, telling reporters he was not just going to "give guys away and dump salary" at the deadline. Sitting a distant fourth in the NL East standings and with a 0.0 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs, dumping salary is exactly what any reasonable GM would have been doing on Thursday.
26. Chicago White Sox (42-70)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 2-1 vs. PHI, 2-1 @ LAA
The White Sox failed to find a taker for Luis Robert Jr. at the deadline, but they did turn scrapheap signing Adrian Houser into former top prospect Curtis Mead, and they also somehow flipped fourth outfielder Austin Slater to the Yankees for a legitimate pitching prospect. All things considered, a successful deadline for the South Siders, and the final two months will be all about assessing their young, in-house talent for 2026 roles.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (48-64)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 3-0 @ SF, 1-2 @ COL
It was a weird trade deadline for the Pirates. They made the head-scratching decision to hold onto upcoming free agents Tommy Pham, Andrew Heaney and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, as well as controllable reliever Dennis Santana, but they did find a taker for Ke'Bryan Hayes, All-Star closer David Bednar and controllable backend starter Bailey Falter. Catcher Rafael Flores (via NYY in Bednar trade) and shortstop Sammy Stafura (via CIN in Hayes trade) both have a case for moving straight onto the team's top 10 prospect list.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Athletics (49-65)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SEA, 1-2 vs. ARI
The Athletics came away with one of the most highly regarded prospects ever traded in a deadline deal when they acquired shortstop Leo De Vries from the Padres in the Mason Miller/JP Sears blockbuster, and the No. 2 prospect in that package, Braden Nett, immediately became one of their top pitching prospects. There is no obvious in-house candidate to replace Miller in the ninth inning, but the core of this young roster remains intact, and it is now backed by a deeper farm system.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks (53-59)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 0-3 @ DET, 2-1 @ ATH
The D-backs cashed in their three biggest trade chips, sending Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor to the Mariners in separate deals and Merrill Kelly to the Rangers, though they ultimately opted to hold onto Zac Gallen and he will be a candidate for a qualifying offer this winter. Tyler Locklear was the big piece acquired in the Suárez deal, and he immediately took over as the team's starting first baseman. They also saved some money by dumping Jordan Montgomery in a deal with the Brewers, turning the page on that ill-fated signing. The talent is there for this team to bounce to contention in 2026, but there is work to do this offseason rebuilding the pitching staff.
22. Baltimore Orioles (51-61)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 3-1 vs. TOR, 1-2 @ CHC
The Orioles sold all the pieces they were expected to sell, aside from starter Zach Eflin who was placed on the injured list on deadline day. When the dust settled on Thursday, they had found new homes for Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano, Charlie Morton, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Dominguez, Andrew Kittredge, Cedric Mullins and Ramón Urías. There is still a dynamic young core of hitters for them to build around, but they can't expect mid-level signings to be enough to shore up their starting rotation again this offseason.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Los Angeles Angels (54-58)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 2-1 vs. TEX, 1-2 vs. CWS
In typical Angels fashion, it was a head-scratching trade deadline, as they opted for some "soft buying" as opposed to selling off rental pieces like Tyler Anderson, Kenley Jansen and Yoán Moncada. Instead, they acquired rental relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García in a deal with the Nationals, and acquired light-hitting infielder Oswald Peraza from the Yankees. They are going to finish with a significantly better record than last year's 63-99 finish, but also look like a safe bet to again be watching the postseason from the comfort of their couches.
20. St. Louis Cardinals (56-57)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 1-2 vs. MIA, 1-2 vs. SD
The Cardinals emptied the back end of their bullpen at the deadline, trading away Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz while bringing back some quality prospect talent, headlined by teenage shortstop Jesus Baez who came from the Mets in the Helsley trade. Controllable bats Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson also generated trade interest, and it will be interesting to see how the front office decides to approach the present and future in a post-John Mozeliak world.
19. San Francisco Giants (56-56)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 0-3 vs. PIT, 2-1 @ NYM
A 9-15 record in July pushed the Giants to sell at the trade deadline, and they ended up flipping controllable relievers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers for a nice haul of prospect talent while also unloading outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ahead of free agency this winter. Breakout reliever Randy Rodriguez now moves into the closer's role with trade pickup José Buttó as one of his primary setup options, while young outfielders Grant McCray and Luis Matos stand to benefit most from Yaz being dealt.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Tampa Bay Rays (55-58)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 1-3 @ NYY, 1-2 vs. LAD
The Rays did their usual mix of buying and selling at the trade deadline, with the end result being a new-look catching platoon of Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes, a new starter at the back of the rotation with Adrian Houser in and Zack Littell out and controllable strikeout machine Griffin Jax added to the back of the bullpen. They stopped short of trading away expensive veterans Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe, but could revisit the market for that duo this offseason. For now, the focus is on clawing back into the wild-card race.
17. Cincinnati Reds (58-54)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 1-2 vs. LAD, 1-2 vs. ATL
Starter Zack Littell, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and outfielder Miguel Andújar are the new faces in the Reds clubhouse following the trade deadline, with the Hayes pickup signaling a full-time move to the outfield for up-and-comer Noelvi Marte. Will that be enough to keep them in the mix for a postseason berth? The most difficult remaining schedule in baseball, according to Tankathon, means they face a significant uphill battle. A three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field will be their next big test, starting Monday night.
16. Kansas City Royals (56-56)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATL, 2-1 @ TOR
With top trade chip Seth Lugo signed to a two-year, $46 million just a few days before the deadline and the team hovering around the .500 mark, the Royals opted to buy at the deadline. They added outfielders Mike Yastrzemski and Randall Grichuk, back-of-the-rotation starter Bailey Falter and a pair of controllable arms in Ryan Berger and Stephen Kolek in exchange for Freddy Fermin. The Royals sit 3.5 games back with three teams to pass to move into the third AL wild-card spot.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Cleveland Guardians (56-55)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 2-1 vs. COL, 2-1 vs. MIN
The Guardians traded injured pitchers Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald, and that was the extent of their trade deadline activity, bringing back a Top 100-caliber pitching prospect in Khal Stephen in the Bieber deal. Losing closer Emmanuel Clase to a gambling investigation was a major blow, but they still have Cade Smith at the back of the bullpen, and recently promoted C.J. Kayfus (No. 70 on B/R Top 100) has a chance to give the offense a nice in-house boost.
14. Miami Marlins (55-55)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 2-1 @ STL, 3-0 vs. NYY
The Marlins went a combined 29-22 in June and July, a record eclipsed only by the Brewers (33-16) among NL teams, and they look the part of an exciting young team on the rise that could be a pest for contenders over the final two months even if they fall short of a wild-card push. They traded Jesus Sanchez and Nick Fortes, but held onto oft-mentioned trade chips Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, giving them the potential for a standout rotation next year with that duo alongside a healthy Eury Pérez, Braxton Garrett and Ryan Weathers.
13. Texas Rangers (58-55)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 1-2 @ LAA, 1-3 @ SEA
The Rangers solidified their status as buyers by going 16-9 in July, and after adding starter Merrill Kelly and late-inning relievers Phil Maton and Danny Coulombe, they look like a team built for October with a "Big Three" atop the rotation and a deeper relief corps. The X-factor will be whether they can find some in-house improvement from their offense, with multiple key players underperforming during the first half of the season.
Nos. 12-10
7 of 12
12. New York Yankees (60-52)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 3-1 vs. TB, 0-3 @ MIA
Despite their initial struggles, adding the late-inning trio of David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird to the back of the bullpen should greatly improve the Yankees outlook for stretch run. The return of Luis Gil is also a huge in-house addition, though he showed some clear rust on Sunday in his season debut when he allowed five hits, four walks and five earned runs in 3.1 innings. A new third baseman (Ryan McMahon) and a new-look bench (Amed Rosario, Austin Slater and Jose Caballero) round out a busy, productive deadline in the Bronx.
11. Houston Astros (62-50)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 2-1 vs. WAS, 0-3 @ BOS
Who starts Game 3 in a playoff series for the Astros behind Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez? That was a major question mark heading into the trade deadline, and it still remains now that the deadline has passed. Spencer Arrighetti is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday, while Lance McCullers Jr., Luis García and J.P. France are all on the rehab trail, but relying on anyone from that group is a risky move. On a positive note, the additions of Carlos Correa and Jesús Sánchez, along with the imminent return of Yordan Alvarez, gives the lineup significantly more firepower.
10. New York Mets (63-49)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 0-3 @ SD, 1-2 vs. SF
The Mets paid a steep price to upgrade their relief corps, but with Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley joining setup man Reed Garrett and closer Edwin Díaz, they now have one of the deepest bullpens in baseball. They also added center fielder Cedric Mullins, which will allow Jeff McNeil to shift back to second base and give manager Carlos Mendoza more flexibility when filling out his lineup. There are no glaring holes on the roster, they just need their high-priced starts to play up to expectations.
Nos. 9-7
8 of 12
9. Seattle Mariners (60-53)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 1-2 @ ATH, 3-1 vs. TEX
With Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor now slotted into the middle of the lineup, the Mariners look like legitimate title contenders. Adding one more late-inning arm to their bullpen along with soft-tossing lefty Caleb Ferguson would have been ideal, but the rotation is good enough to believe they can get the ball to Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz with a lead. With the easiest remaining schedule of any AL team, according to Tankathon, the club's first AL West title since 2001 is within reach.
8. San Diego Padres (62-50)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 3-0 vs. NYM, 2-1 vs. STL
Leave it to A.J. Preller to take a farm system that ranked No. 26 in B/R's latest update following the 2025 draft and walk away with Mason Miller, JP Sears, Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano, Freddy Fermin and Nestor Cortes. It cost them six of their top 10 prospects, including No. 1 prospect Leo De Vries who was a consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball, but the Padres now look poised for a serious playoff push. They have a chance to really shorten games in October with Miller, Robert Suárez, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejón and Jeremiah Estrada.
7. Boston Red Sox (62-51)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 2-1 @ MIN, 3-0 vs. HOU
After being linked to Merrill Kelly, Joe Ryan and others on deadline day, the Red Sox settled for Dustin May (104.0 IP, 4.85 ERA, 4.71 FIP) as the big addition to their starting rotation. Their only other addition was lefty reliever Steven Matz, meaning they will continue to roll with Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez at first base. After going 17-7 in July, they have momentum heading into the stretch run, but more roster reinforcements would have made it easier to buy them as legitimate contenders in October.
Nos. 6-4
9 of 12
6. Detroit Tigers (65-48)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 3-0 vs. ARI, 1-2 @ PHI
The Tigers failed to make a huge splash at the deadline, instead taking a volume approach to shoring up the pitching staff by acquiring starters Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton, along with relievers Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero and Paul Sewald. Expect Paddack and Morton to battle for the No. 4 starter job in October, while Finnegan and Montero will be counted on to stabilize a shaky relief corps that was a big reason for the team's 1-12 rough patch in July. They are still the runaway favorites in the AL Central race, but did they do enough to be a legitimate threat in October?
5. Philadelphia Phillies (63-48)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 1-2 @ CWS, 2-1 vs. DET
The Phillies crossed the biggest item off their deadline to-do list when they acquired flame-throwing closer Jhoan Durán from the Twins, parting with catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 82 on B/R Top 100) and young starter Mick Abel to get the deal done. They also added some outfield depth with slick-fielding Harrison Bader, and he will provide a right-handed hitting platoon option for Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler with the potential to play his way into an everyday role. The pieces are in place for this team to make a title run, now they need to deliver.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (65-48)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 1-3 @ BAL, 1-2 vs. KC
The Blue Jays were the hottest team in baseball prior to going 2-5 against the Orioles and Royals last week, but they still hold a 3.5-game lead in the AL East standings. They didn't grab headlines at the trade deadline, but the under-the-radar move to acquire setup man Louis Varland with his club control through 2030 has a chance to be one of the most impactful moves of the summer. Getting catcher Alejandro Kirk and center fielder Daulton Varsho back from the injured list further bolstered the roster entering August, and a West Coast road trip to face the Rockies and Dodgers awaits this week.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Chicago Cubs (65-46)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIL, 2-1 vs. BAL
Starter Michael Soroka, relievers Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers and utility man Willi Castro made for a productive, if uninspiring, trade deadline haul for a Cubs team in clear position to chase a title. They failed to land the impact starter they needed to solidify their postseason rotation, and will now need to sort out how things will line up behind All-Star Matthew Boyd in the coming weeks. Only the Dodgers and Padres have an easier remaining schedule, according to Tankathon, though the NL Central race with the Brewers could go down to the wire.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (65-47)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 2-1 @ CIN, 2-1 @ TB
It was a surprisingly quiet deadline for the Dodgers, who settled on fourth outfielder Alex Call and hard-throwing reliever Brock Stewart as their only notable pickups. However, they also welcomed back Blake Snell from the injured list and could get third baseman Max Muncy back sometime this week, so there is plenty of room for in-house improvement. Rookies Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland also have a chance to make an impact as they get more comfortable in the majors, and Freeland is off to a nice start since making his MLB debut on Wednesday.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (67-44)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CHC, 3-0 @ WAS
There is certainly a case to be made for not rocking the boat when things are going well, and things have been going extremely well for the Brewers of late with an 20-7 record since the beginning of July. Still, it feels like there was more that could have been done at the deadline than adding around the margins with catcher Danny Jansen, outfielder Brandon Lockridge and injured pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Shelby Miller. The severity of Jackson Chourio's hamstring strain will be a major storyline to follow in the coming days.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Philadelphia Phillies
6. Detroit Tigers
7. Boston Red Sox
8. San Diego Padres
9. Seattle Mariners
10. New York Mets
11. Houston Astros
12. New York Yankees
13. Texas Rangers
14. Miami Marlins
15. Cleveland Guardians
16. Kansas City Royals
17. Cincinnati Reds
18. Tampa Bay Rays
19. San Francisco Giants
20. St. Louis Cardinals
21. Los Angeles Angels
22. Baltimore Orioles
23. Arizona Diamondbacks
24. Athletics
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
26. Chicago White Sox
27. Atlanta Braves
28. Minnesota Twins
29. Washington Nationals
30. Colorado Rockies
Stars of the Week
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Hitter of the Week: William Contreras and Andrew Vaughn, Milwaukee Brewers
Contreras Stats: 13-for-28, 2 2B. 3 HR, 5 RBI, 11 R
Vaughn Stats: 11-for-26, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R
The Brewers scored 58 runs in six games last week, including a staggering 38 in their three-game sweep of the Nationals, and it was Contreras and Vaughn who led the attack. Contreras coming to life is a great sign as he's having a down year relative to his terrific 2024 campaign, while Vaughn now has a 1.130 OPS with six home runs and 24 RBI in 19 games since he was acquired from the White Sox.
Pitcher of the Week: Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres
Stats: 1 GS, W, 7.0 IP. 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Pivetta belongs right alongside Matthew Boyd and Max Fried for the title of most impactful starting pitching signing of the offseason. One of the last notable free agents to sign when he inked a four-year, $55 million contract on Feb. 17, he has a 2.73 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 136 strikeouts in 128.2 innings, and his 15 quality starts are tied for the fifth-highest total in the National League.
Rookie of the Week: OF Warming Bernabel, Colorado Rockies
Stats: 12-for-26, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R
Since making his MLB debut on July 26, Bernabel has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, posting a .438/.455/.906 line with eight extra-base hits in 33 plate appearances. He went 4-for-6 with a triple and a home run on Friday, and he already has four multi-hit games in his young career.
