MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox Take Over Top Spot in Week 14

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (47-41) -2

A five-game losing skid has been answered with five consecutive wins by the D-backs, who take on their closest competitor, the Dodgers, this week. Arizona is in the market to add pitching, and left hander Tyler Skaggs will be highly sought-after as return on any trade Arizona should make. The soon-to-be-22-year-old might be the best addition that GM Kevin Towers to make to his squad, however, as he showed with eight shutout innings against the Rockies over the weekend.

17. Kansas City Royals (41-44) +1

The Royals went 3-3 at home this week and as much as it feels like they are playing better as a group with the recent offensive contributions of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, KC is just 7-7 in their past 14. Royals pitching, which has been the best in the AL this year, has allowed 51 runs over their past eight games (6.4 runs/game).

18. Toronto Blue Jays (43-45) -3

The Jays are making it look like that 11-game winning streak last month was a mere illusion and not an indicator that things were coming together for one of the biggest disappointments in the sport this year. After back-to-back impressive starts, R.A. Dickey was shelled for six earned runs against the Twins over the weekend, marking the seventh time already this year he’s allowed at least that many.

19. Philadelphia Phillies (43-46) +2

Philadelphia took two of three from division-leading Atlanta over the weekend, but they remain a club without enough depth to challenge for the playoffs. Early-season revelation Kyle Kendrick has been knocked around to the tune of a 5.81 ERA in his past five starts and opponents are hitting .315/.350/.462 against his during that stretch.

20. Chicago Cubs (38-48) +3

Don’t look now but the Cubs are a much better team than most people realize. Of course, that’s all subject to change as the bulk of this year’s roster is very much available via trade. The dealing began in earnest last week as Chicago moved starter Scott Feldman to Baltimore. Not only did the Cubs gain valuable international bonus money, but they picked up Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop; both of whom possess, but have yet to fulfill, significant potential.

21. Seattle Mariners (39-49) +5

Seattle moves up five spots this week thanks to a six game road trip that saw them take two of three in both Texas and Cincinnati. The Mariners will send a pair of the league’s best starting pitchers to New York for next week’s All-Star Game. A guy who won’t be joining them, however, is outfielder Raul Ibanez, who didn’t get the invite despite a season that has seen him club more home runs (21) than he had in any year since 2009.

22. New York Mets (37-48) +3

After splitting a four gamer with Arizona, the Mets took two of three in Milwaukee over the weekend. Center fielder Eric Young Jr. has been a revelation since coming over after being DFA’d by the Rockies, hitting .300/.360/.388 in 18 games with the Mets.

23. Colorado Rockies (42-47) -3

A three-game sweep at the hands of the division-leading Diamondbacks wasn’t the way Colorado wanted to start a 10-game intra-division road trip. The good news is that Colorado can get healthy as they travel to San Diego this week. The Padres haven’t won a game since June and have dropped eight of 10 to the Rockies this year.

24. San Francisco Giants (40-47) -3

The defending World Champs are taking on water in a hurry. They dropped two of three at home to the Dodgers over the weekend, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but Sunday’s loss was their fifth in the past six games. It gets uglier for San Fran, however. They’ve lost 10 of their last 12 and 16 of their last 21. Hunter Pence is currently riding an 0-for-22 while Pablo Sandoval is just five-for-his-last-45.

25. San Diego Padres (40-49) -6

It wasn’t very long ago that the Padres were a .500 club and drawing attention for their better-than-expected season. Nine games and nine losses later and the Padres are bringing up the rear in what is quickly becoming a bad division. Last year’s breakout star, Chase Headley, is hitting just .229/.322/.363 on the year.

26. Minnesota Twins (37-48) -2

The Twins dropped two of three in Toronto over the weekend and have lost 12 of their last 16 games overall. Justin Morneau has three home runs in his past eight games after totaling just three through his first 72, which can only boost his trade value.

27. Miami Marlins (32-55) —

Swept by the Cardinals over the weekend, right hander Jose Fernandez took the loss on Sunday to fall to 5-5 on the year. He’ll head to the All-Star Game with a sub-3.00 ERA. Logan Morrison could be the next Marlin to be dealt, as the 25-year-old has posted a .319/.392/.600 line in his first 20 games of the season. Coming off a terrible 2012, the Fish would be wise to move him while his value is high.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (35-52) +1

The hits just keep on coming for Milwaukee. Already without Ryan Braun for much of the year and missing Corey Hart all season long, third baseman Aramis Ramirez continues to battle problems in staying on the field as well. Though it’s been a bad year in Milwaukee overall, center fielder Carlos Gomez has blossomed into one of the elite all-around players in the National League.

29. Chicago White Sox (34-51) +1

Losers of three straight and nine of 11, the white flag has already flown for the White Sox. To make matters worse, Chicago has yet to see the division-leading Tigers this season. They’ll play roughly a quarter of their remaining schedule (18 of the final 75 games) against Detroit.

30. Houston Astros (32-57) -2

Houston has dropped 12 of their last 15 and just doesn’t have enough talent to legitimately compete in the American League West. That said, don’t expect them to rush George Springer or top draft pick Mark Appel to the big leagues this year. The game plan for GM Jeff Lunhow is to build for the long-term and patience will be exercised. It will be interesting to see what moves are made around the deadline, as catcher Carlos Corporan could draw significant interest on the trade market.