MLB Power Rankings: Every team’s plan of attack before the trade deadline
By Sean Sears
This week’s MLB Power Rankings also break down each team’s approach before the July 31 trade deadline. Who could be on the rise, and on the move?
30. Detroit Tigers, 29-64, last in the AL Central (ranked 30th last week)
It’s trading season folks and the Tigers are reportedly open for business, with starter Matthew Boyd drawing the attention of teams like the Padres, Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers, Braves, Rays and Cubs. The 28-year-old left-hander has a 3.95 ERA on the season, but prior to June and July Boyd was sporting a 2.85 ERA.
A rough month of games has continued into July, but Boyd’s peripheral stats more than make up for his inflated ERA. With a 12 K/9 and only 24 free passes on the season, Boyd can be a dominating pitcher and when placed on a team with a winning culture and an offense that can score, it’s easy to see Boyd shining in a postseason series.
The Tigers have also had teams reach out on players like Nicholas Castellanos, closer Shane Greene, and even 25-year-old OF Christian Stewart, who hasn’t quite started hitting with the pop many expected earlier in his career. The Tigers also selected the contract of former Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal, which could signal the Tigers’ readiness to move current closer Greene, who should command a solid return of much-needed prospects for Detroit.
But with all the valuable talent likely being scrapped off the roster for future assets, the Tigers are likely going to stick around the bottom of this list.
29. Baltimore Orioles, 30-66, last in the AL East (ranked 29th last week)
Obviously, Baltimore already shipped veteran starter Andrew Cashner to the Red Sox, and closer Mychal Givens has reportedly drawn the interest of a few teams, but we’re focusing on a different target. Orioles OF/1B Trey Mancini is having a solid season with 17 home runs, .844 OPS, with a 119 wRC+ and at 27 years old, Baltimore shouldn’t have a problem finding a deal that makes sense.
When factoring in his cheap contract for 2019 and his three years of arbitration control he has left on his deal, Mancini is an attractive player — to an American League team that is.
Mancini isn’t great in the outfield as a slow runner who doesn’t take great routes, and he’s cost the Orioles -11 DRS in the outfield. He has been better at 1B this season, not committing an error in 219 innings, which equates to 1 DRS, but that doesn’t mean much.
The other aspect of a potential deal for Mancini is that Baltimore’s ownership refuses to lose a trade (or break even), which will complicate things for a team that doesn’t really have much leverage in this situation. But for the Orioles, it makes no sense to hold on to their top trade piece right now; they need to start rebuilding and moving Mancini is a way to do that.