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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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ATLANTA, GA JULY 19: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a game-winning walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on July 19th, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA JULY 19: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a game-winning walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on July 19th, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Atlanta Braves, 59-40, 1st in the NL East (ranked 5th last week)

The Braves just got back elite-fielding OF Ender Inciarte, who was dealing with a lower lumbar strain that forced him out since May 14. He’ll split time with rookie sensation Austin Riley at the moment, with Ronald Acuna Jr. shifting from RF to CF depending on which is playing.

The Braves have been in the mix for starters like Mike Minor and Madison Bumgarner but haven’t really emerged as front-runners for anyone at the moment. And with Dallas Keuchel in town, they don’t necessarily need another starter, but even adding a veteran like Lance Lynn or a depth arm similar to the A’s Homer Bailey might help their young rotation that has issues remaining healthy.

The bullpen could use another back-end arm to help with the closing duties. Currently, Luke Jackson has assumed the role and closed out 17 games but the Braves did just lose arguably their best bullpen performer with Jacob Webb heading to the IL. Adding another arm would make sense, but getting a bona fide closer would really strengthen their group and solve some of their remaining question marks about being a true contender.

3. Minnesota Twins, 58-37, 1st in the AL Central (ranked 4th last week)

The Twins continue to win games, whether at home or on the road, and their starting pitching is fully healthy now that Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda are both in the rotation again. But the Twins seem to be in the market for another starter. Whether it’s a depth move or a top-of-the-rotation guy, the Twins are very fluid in the market at the moment.

Starters like Marcus Stroman and Madison Bumgarner are on their radar, as are Mike Minor, Zach Wheeler and likely other arms as well. The Twins always seem to be involved at the deadline but have never pulled the trigger for a top arm at the deadline. They were in the conversation for Chris Archer last season and seemed to be rightfully in conversations similar to that this year. A reliever could help the team as well, but their priority seems to be on adding another front-end starter.

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