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MLB Power Rankings: Every team’s plan of attack before the trade deadline

By Sean Sears

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 09: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals are seen on the field prior to the 90th MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Eve Kilsheimer/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 09: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals are seen on the field prior to the 90th MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Eve Kilsheimer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

10. Washington Nationals, 51-45, 2nd in the NL East (ranked 8th last week)

Max Scherzer has put the Nationals on his back, and after a horrendous start to 2019, the Nats now sit 6.5 games out of first place and hold a one-game lead in the Wild Card standings. On the season, the Nationals starting pitching has the third-best ERA in the league at 3.50, but that doesn’t paint the full picture here.

Taking a look at Scherzer’s numbers, since June 1 the 34-year-old ace has gone 7-0 with a 0.87 ERA (that’s five total runs allowed in those seven starts) and has 79 strikeouts compared to just six walks. During that span, Washington improved from 25-33 to 51-45, a 26 win improvement in just a month and half — and not a single loss from Scherzer.

So the question has gone from “Are the Nats sellers?” to “Who are the Nats going to pick up to help Scherzer?” and who is currently dealing with a mild back strain. They need bullpen help beyond closer Sean Doolittle and 42-year-old Fernando Rodney, but they might also have to add a depth starter before the deadline if things with Scherzer’s back continue to linger. But Washington is not selling, at least not at the moment.

9. Cleveland Indians, 54-40, 2nd in the AL Central (ranked 10th last week)

The Cleveland Indians may be the most intriguing team at the deadline, with ace Trevor Bauer making it clear he has no intention of signing a long term deal after his last year of arbitration ends in 2020. It’s this reason that the Indians are seriously considering moving the 28-year-old despite Bauer being in his prime and the Indians being 16 games above .500 with a one-game lead in the Wild Card.

According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Padres have emerged as serious suitors for Bauer, citing OF’s Franmil Reyes and Hunter Renfroe, as well as INF Luis Urias as potential trade chips. The Padres have been hot after all starters on the market, but with the Indians expecting to get Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco in the near future to pair with All-Star Shane Bieber, they can at least consider moving the All-Star.

Bauer isn’t exactly replaceable but there’s enough there for the Indians to stay relevant while also adding another bat to a lineup that desperately needs pop. And if the other option is just losing Bauer at least Cleveland gets something of value in this deal.

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