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MLB Power Rankings: Post Trade Deadline edition

By John Buhler

Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Milwaukee won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Milwaukee won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) holds his face in a towel against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) holds his face in a towel against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Atlanta Braves

29. Minnesota Twins

28. Arizona Diamondbacks

27. Tampa Bay Rays 

26. Cincinnati Reds

25. San Diego Padres 

24. Oakland Athletics

23. Milwaukee Brewers

22. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 

21. Kansas City Royals

20. Philadelphia Phillies

19. Chicago White Sox

18. New York Yankees

17. Colorado Rockies

16. Pittsburgh Pirates 

Outside of the New York Yankees, the Colorado Rockies, and the Pittsburgh Pirates who are all hovering around .500 at the August 1st MLB trade deadline, it’s safe to say that most of these 15 teams composing the bottom half of these power rankings are not going to qualify for the 2016 MLB postseason.

While a few teams like the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Diego Padres knew they were going to be in for a rough 2016 MLB campaign, the inclusion of clubs in the bottom half including the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals and the respectable 2015 Minnesota Twins completely falling off a cliff this year come as a complete surprise.

Most of these teams are eager to see how many of these top-end prospects they have yielded in the days up to the August 1st MLB trade deadline will turn out. Wins have been few and far between with these mediocre teams, but Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy spurning the contending Cleveland Brewers in a trade on Sunday is a win for the bottom feeders, right?

It’s not that these 15 teams can’t find a way to play better ball in both August and September, but the gap for many of these organizations for playoff contention is just too vast for them to overcome.

The Braves are 20.0 games out of the second National League Wild Card spot. The Twins are 17.5 games back of the second American League Wild Card spot. Could Atlanta and Minnesota go worst-to-first again in 2017 like they did in 1991? Probably not, but it’s more likely than either club getting out of the cellar in their respective circuits.

Next: No. 15 through No. 4.

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