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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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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 16: Martin Maldonado #38 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds at home plate during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 16: Martin Maldonado #38 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds at home plate during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

8. Chicago Cubs, 53-44, 1st in the NL Central (ranked 9th last week)

Rumors started flying when the Cubs acquired C Martin Maldonado shortly after it was announced All-Star C Willson Contreras was heading to the IL, with speculation surrounding whether Contreras or another catcher, Victor Caratini, would be shopped for pitching. That rumor has since been disproven for the moment according to Chicago Sun-Times writer Gordon Wittenmyer, explaining the move for Maldonado as just the Cubs going after a veteran catcher, like they have the last two seasons.

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has made it clear the team is going to be aggressive at the deadline while also trying to avoid moving some of their top farmhands. Guys like Whit Merrifield from the Royals and Diamondbacks OF David Peralta have been linked to the Cubs, but both players seem unlikely to move, particularly to the Cubs if they aren’t moving prospects like INF Nico Hoerner or SP Adbert Alzolay.

Guys like Dee Gordon or Nicholas Castellanos could possibly solve the lead-off man Joe Maddon is reportedly searching for; at the very least Castellanos is a consistent hitter from the left side who could play in the corner INF/OF positions. There’s also interest in a lefty reliever, with Will Smith and Tony Watson from the Giants at the top of their list. But guys like Jake Diekman and Roenis Elias might fit better into the Cubs’ budget and should cost less to get.

7. Tampa Bay Rays, 56-41, 2nd in the AL East (ranked 6th last week)

The Rays have reportedly reached out to the Mets about starter Zach Wheeler, despite the 29-year-old hitting the IL with shoulder fatigue. Most teams seemed to be staying away from Wheeler due to shoulder problems, but the Rays may see this as an opportunity to land the starter. With starter Tyler Glasnow’s status still up in the air — he could reportedly miss the rest of the season — the Rays need another starter to pair with Charlier Morton and reigning AL Cy-Young Blake Snell.

The Rays are going to run into some roster construction issues with 1B Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Nate Lowe and Brandon Lowe all on the same roster. While Choi has been productive this season with nine home runs and .759 OPS in 75 games, he’s out of options and being outperformed by some of the Rays young talent.

The Rays can try and package him into a deal but he alone won’t net them Wheeler , and since teams know the Rays need to clear space it’s unlikely teams will let them win a trade with Choi involved. Ultimately, they may just have to put Choi through waivers and see if he clears, but if they can move him in some type of deal that includes a starter that would be the best-case scenario for the Rays.

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