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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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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JULY 18: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets at Oracle Park on Thursday, July 18, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

18. San Francisco Giants, 49-49, last in the NL West (ranked 21st last week)

Winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Giants are now just 2.5 games back from a Wild Card spot, making the outlook for San Francisco at the deadline much different if they continue to win. And if the Giants do make the transition to clear seller to buyer at the deadline that means a lot of teams who were hoping to pluck a few of their pitchers for a postseason push. The obvious is Madison Bumgarner who’s lowered his ERA to 3.86 on the season, with teams like the Yankees and Braves reportedly showing interest in the 29-year-old right-hander.

But according to Jeff Passan, the Giants are still making Bumgarner and all their relievers available despite the hot streak. So at least at the moment the Giants are still sellers, which is good news for teams looking to upgrade their bullpens with Sam Dyson, Will Smith or Tony Watson. But it’s hard to envision San Francisco’s general manager Bobby Evans continuing to sell if the team can grab a Wild Card spot prior to the deadline.

17. Milwaukee Brewers, 51-48, 3rd in the NL Central (ranked 13th last week)

The Brewers are buyers through and through but haven’t had a great run of games recently, going four of six over their last 10 games and not winning a series yet in July. But their focus is on acquiring a starter at the moment and the Brewers have been linked to all the big names like Syndergaard, Wheeler, Bumgarner and even closer Will Smith The problem is that the Brewers don’t really have much they package.

Former top prospect Keston Hiura has been excellent in his second stint with the team, slashing .323/.387/.605 with nine home runs in 137 PAs on the season, and would likely be enough to acquire most of the names listed above. But Milwaukee is reluctant to include Hiura, for obvious reasons. However, without parting with him the Brewers might have to settle for some mid-tier starters on the trade market.

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