Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Here come the Cubs

By Joshua Sadlock

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 15
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 19: Todd Frazier #29 of the New York Yankees runs the bases against the Minnesota Twins during the game on July 19, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Yankees 6-1. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 19: Todd Frazier #29 of the New York Yankees runs the bases against the Minnesota Twins during the game on July 19, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Yankees 6-1. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
10

New York Yankees 49-45

Last week: 4-4
Last rank: 11

Brian Cashman should win Executive of the Year for his work over the past two deadlines. To recap — he got two teams’ number-one prospects for his closer and eighth-inning guy, re-signed said closer, picked Matt Holliday up and pulled off a blockbuster trade to give his team the best bullpen in the American League and Todd Frazier, a third baseman who has always wanted to play for the Yankees.

The Yankees may not have a functional starting rotation, but does that really matter when you’re able to roll out five relievers striking out more than 12 per nine. If the Yankees get to the play-in game, Joe Girardi may want to consider making it a bullpen game. Seriously, they might strike out all 27 batters.

9

Cleveland Indians 48-45

Last week: 1-5
Last rank: 6

The consistency that pushed the Indians to the AL Central title last year just has not been there in 2017. The Tribe is now looking at some more adversity to work through with Jason Kipnis on the DL and Corey Kluber dealing with a sore neck that could force him to miss a start.

The mini-slumps the Indians have endured on and off all year come back to the starting rotation. Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin have continued to struggle and are a combined 13-17 with an ERA near 6.00. Cleveland spent most of their top prospects last season to acquire Andrew Miller, but they still need to eye the market for starters.

Home/MLB