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
3 of 15
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 09: Relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a warm up pitch during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 9, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Reds defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 09: Relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a warm up pitch during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 9, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Reds defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
26

Cincinnati Reds 40-55

Last week: 1-6
Last rank: 26

The bottom of the MLB standings are pretty ugly for a team like the Reds to go 1-6 and not drop a spot in the Power Rankings. As the Reds continue to pile up losses, there still have been no strong trade rumors about their top chips, Zack Cozart and Raisel Iglesias. There is a limited market for Cozart as a rental shortstop — no contender is desperate for an upgrade at his position — but Iglesias could fetch a massive haul as a young closer with more years of team control than Zach Britton.

Reds management may have gotten enamored by their respectable start to the 2017 season. That’s the only reason not to seriously consider moving Iglesias in the midst of a great season. Developing a strong closer has never been a big issue for teams all over the league, but finding five guys who can lead a starting rotation is an annual problem for at least half of the 30 MLB teams. It’s definitely a problem for the Reds and will be again next year.

25

Oakland Athletics 43-52

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 27

Trading away Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle was the first salvo from Billy Beane as he prepares to get busy at the trade deadline. As evidenced by the return in the trade, which centered on Blake Treinen, Beane is going to put some emphasis on acquiring players who can immediately play at the MLB level.

As teams continue to gauge the market for ace Sonny Gray, Beane has a difficult decision to make. The right-hander’s stock is still going up at a rapid rate, but it could come crashing down at any time. The trade deadline gives Beane an opportunity to hold a real auction for his biggest trade chip. The Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Houston Astros all have shown a level of interest in trading for Gray.

Home/MLB