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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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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 19: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 19: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

14. Philadelphia Phillies, 51-47, 3rd in the NL East (ranked 16th last week)

The Phillies are falling apart right now, now sitting 7.5 games back of the Braves in the division and playing .500 ball over their last 10 games, but they’re still only a .5 game back from a Wild Card spot at the moment. But it’s hard to build a case for the Phillies as contenders, however, as Philly is still searching everywhere for pitching. Phillies reportedly signed lefty Drew Smyly, giving them a left-handed arm for their right-hand dominant rotation.

But that doesn’t feel like their only move, as general manager Matt Klentak has been linked to all the big names on the market, apparently willing to take on large contracts and money as well as the short one-year-deal type of players. If they can land an arm like Madison Bumgarner or another Smyly-type player, the Phillies are welcome to it in an attempt to add some depth in hopes of finding one diamond in the rough guy.

13. Los Angeles Angels, 50-49, 4th in the AL West (ranked 19th last week)

The Angels are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, sitting nine games back in their division and 5.5 games back in the Wild Card. But general manager Billy Eppler is reportedly still looking to add more to their roster. They need more pitching after the tragic loss of starter Tyler Skaggs, but also guys like Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill haven’t done their part on the backend of the rotation. Players like Marcus Stroman, Matt Boyd and Mike Minor would all be pitchers the Angels would love to add, but it’s unclear if they’ll truly pursue any of those arms.

The Angels could also use some catching depth with Jonathan Lucroy still recovering from a nasty head-on collision at home plate a few weeks ago. But Los Angeles seems to be comfortable finding catchers on a yearly basis. Jame McCann from the White Sox could be available and the Padres also have a few catchers they could part with, but unless a big-time arm is coming to the Angels it’s unlikely they’ll truly compete in 2019. Expect more moves gauged towards 2020 when Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound as their ace.

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