Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 15
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 19: Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 19: Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

22. Pittsburgh Pirates, 45-51, 4th in the NL Central (ranked 15th last week)

With the Pirates falling to 6.5 games back in the division, it’s “believed” that starter Jordan Lyles has been made available, according to Jon Heyman. Heyman also mentioned OF’s Corey Dickerson and Melky Cabrera as trade chips as well, but that the club isn’t ready to move some of their star players. But with the team taking a nosedive in the standings and slowing down OF Gregory Polanco’s rehab due to shoulder discomfort, the Pirates may decide to lean into the skid and move some players.

Closer Felipe Vasquez would draw a sizable return as one of the best late-inning options on the market, and 30-year-old OF Starling Marte could also bring back some much-needed talent. But Pittsburgh may also decide to hold on to its star players to make a run in 2020, and with the trade of Chris Archer last year, the Pirates may not be ready to quit on this team yet.

21. Chicago White Sox, 43-51, 3rd in the AL Central (ranked 23rd last week)

While the White Sox would like to flip some players to add a few more prospects, but there isn’t much on this team they really want to part with at the moment. They’re nine games back in the Wild Card at the moment and their starting pitching outside of Lucas Giolito has been abysmal, and there are parts of this team they could move but instead likely feel they could use next season.

The White Sox have plenty of talent and feel perhaps a year away from being a threat in the AL Central. Players like closer Alex Colome or veteran 1B Jose Abreu could net them assets but could end up being more valuable to the White Sox next season if they can start competing.

Catcher Welington Castillo did just get reactivated from the IL, but with an All-Star catcher like James McCann on the roster, the Sox could try and move Castillo before the deadline. Of course, his contract is tough to move and he does seem to love Chicago after starting his career with the Cubs. Chicago could just keep him as depth through 2020.

Home/MLB