Fansided

MLB power rankings: Giants, Cardinals, Indians surging before trade deadline

By Sean Sears

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 14
Next
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 25: Sam Tuivailala #26 of the Seattle Mariners delivers in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on July 25, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won 10-2. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 25: Sam Tuivailala #26 of the Seattle Mariners delivers in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on July 25, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won 10-2. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

26. Seattle Mariners, 43-63, last in the AL West (ranked 26th last week)

The Mariners announced this week that Domingo Santana will undergo an MRI on his elbow and second baseman Dee Gordon is hitting the IL with a left quad strain. Gordon could still be moved before the deadline but that seems unlikely with him hitting the IL. Interest in Santana will depend on whether or not he hits the IL, but an MRI on an elbow is never a sign of good things and could be enough to scare teams away.

With a 2-8 record over the last 10 games, the Mariners have long been sellers and will likely try and flip anything of value at the deadline. SP Mike Leake has been included in a few trade rumors but at 31-years-old and trading good and bad starts this season the Mariners won’t get much in return for Leake. Closer Roenis Elias is a lefty reliever that should be moved simply because the demand for lefty relievers at the moment, but Seattle doesn’t have a big move in them this season.

25. Kansas City Royals, 39-65, 4th in the AL Central (ranked 27th last week)

The Royals SS Adalberto Mondesi is dealing with a left shoulder injury, and while the initial injury turnaround time was undetermined, the Royals are expecting 23-year-old stud back by the start of August. Former top prospect OF Bubba Starling is up on the roster and has been productive in his first 9 games, slashing .281/.343/.438 with a dinger, making outfielder Billy Hamilton expendable and reportedly available.

But the Royals have won seven of their last 10 games, however newly acquired starter Mike Montgomery was smacked around in his first start for the team only lasting two innings and allowing five earned runs. The Royals bullpen is expected to look different in a week with about six teams interested in lefty reliever Jake Diekman and his 13.6 K/9, but closer Ian Kennedy could intrigue some teams looking for depth or late-inning setup men. Kennedy’s experience as a starter could make him an ideal candidate as a swingman for a team. Expect more selling from Kansas City.

Home/MLB