26. Seattle Mariners, 25-37, last in the AL West (ranked 23rd last week)
Despite still being among the league’s top 10 in runs scored, the Mariners have been slowly crashing since a euphoric start to the 2019 season. They’ve lost eight of their last 10 games, their pitching is allowing a league-worst 6.10 runs per game and they currently have nine players on the IL. They’re kind of a mess. Daniel Vogelbach finished the first month of baseball batting .310 with eight home runs, and while since May 1, the 26-year-old DH/1B has maintained the power with numerous homers he has batted just .194 since his hot April.
However, veteran slugger Edwin Encarnacion is hitting well with 16 home runs and a .853 OPS on the season. His contract may make it tricky to move the 36 year old as he’s owed another $20 million next season if the Mariners don’t buy him out for $5 million, but obviously he’s still producing in a lineup that’s shown its true colors this last month. He can bring value to a team in need of a bat later this season, and with general manager Jerry Dipoto addicted to trades, it’s not hard to envision the Mariners making a move involving Encarnacion this season.
25. Detroit Tigers, 23-34, 4th in the AL Central (ranked 28th last week)
The Tigers offense hasn’t been great but has scored just enough runs to play .500 ball over their last 10 games, as the pitching from Matthew Boyd and Spencer Turnbull has continued to impress. Closer Shane Greene has 18 saves on the season and a solid 3.01 ERA on the season and could be a trade target for teams looking to add a late-inning arm at the deadline.
But even with the timely scoring, the Tigers still lack power at the plate, ranking in the bottom of the league in home runs, slugging and OPS. Things don’t get any easier for Detroit as they face Tampa Bay and then Minnesota this week. But at least Miguel Cabrera hit a grand slam off Blake Snell Tuesday night, right Tiger fans?