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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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SEATTLE, WA – JULY 19: Mike Leake #8 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the eighth inning during the MLB game between Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on July 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 19: Mike Leake #8 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the eighth inning during the MLB game between Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on July 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /

26. Seattle Mariners, 40-60, last in the AL West (ranked 26th last week)

The Mariners and general manager Jerry Dipoto are typically active this time of year, but small moves are likely only what’s to come for a Seattle club that saw success early on this season. Ken Rosenthal reported there was interest in lefty Roenis Elias and OF Domingo Santana, surprisingly though, Rosenthal mentioned that the interest in Santana was significant enough for the Mariners to listen.

Santana has been productive for Seattle despite leading the league in strikeouts and rating as the worst defensive outfielder in baseball, but his 19 home runs and .835 OPS could make sense for an AL team like the Indians.

Starter Mike Leake is also a name that’s popped up in trade rumors over the last few weeks, as the 31-year-old could draw some interest from teams looking for starter depth. Leake did just get beat up bad by the Angels to the tune of four runs allowed and seven runs in total, raising his ERA to 4.60 on the season, but he’s a career 4.06 ERA guy who could make sense as a depth starter for a contending team.

But Leake did bounce back from that poor outing to take a no-hitter all the way into the ninth inning Friday night, recouping a lot of value for Seattle. And Dipoto loves to make trades.

25. Toronto Blue Jays, 36-61, 4th in the AL East (ranked 25th last week)

The Blue Jays have one of the most attractive trade chips on the market in Marcus Stroman, who would make sense for more than half of the teams in the league.

There was a report from Scott Mitchell of TSN saying he had heard talks between the Yankees and Twins with the Blue Jays about a trade package that included closer, Ken Giles and Stroman. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that “multiple GMs” anticipate Stroman will be traded before the deadline, the Blue Jays will be hoping for some added young talent to play alongside Vlad Jr.

But another player to watch would be switch-hitting Justin Smoak, who might be the league’s unluckiest hitter this season with an expected weighted-on base average of .387 compared to his real on-base average of .332, meaning Smoak has been hitting the ball well just not for actual hits. His .216 batting average isn’t great, but with 15 home runs and 51 walks compared to just 61 strikeouts, the 32-year-old vet could be an under the radar pick up for a team.

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