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
7 of 14
Next
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 25: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits two-run double tote up the game against Baltimore Orioles during the 15th inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 25: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits two-run double tote up the game against Baltimore Orioles during the 15th inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

16. Los Angeles Angels, 54-50, 3rd in the AL West (ranked 13th last week)

The Angels have officially put an end to the Matt Harvey Era in Los Angeles, as the veteran starter cleared waivers this week and is officially a free agent. The Angels also just placed lefty starter Andrew Heaney on the IL with shoulder inflammation, meaning their rotation is now Griffin Canning, Trevor Cahill and a slew of bullpen arms that the Angels will attempt to use as openers and three-inning bridge arms.

But despite all the moving parts in their rotation, the Angels are 7-3 over their last 10 games and are only four games back of a Wild Card spot at the moment. It’s been a trying 2019 season, to say the least for the Angels, but through all of it, the Halos are still in a reasonable ok spot despite all the injuries and poor free agent signings this off-season. If they truly want to make a run, they’ll have to add more starting pitching which is a huge ask for a team that doesn’t want to move assets for the future. And while it might make more sense to be sellers at the deadline, there isn’t a lot of tradeable pieces on this roster that the Angels would part with.

15. Boston Red Sox, 57-47, 3rd in the AL East (ranked 11th last week)

The Red Sox are one of the more active teams at the deadline still, even after acquiring Andrew Cashner from the Orioles earlier this month. But it’s going to be tough for the Red Sox to make any impactful additions to the club without moving some of their top-end talent as well as being mindful that players like Mookie Betts are set to hit free agency soon and will command a hefty new contract. Manager Joey Cora speaks to Ian Browne from MLB.com about this exact situation, simply saying the Red Sox need to win games to allow the front office to add to their roster.

First baseman Mitch Moreland was activated earlier this week and should add another bat to a strong Boston lineup, but their bullpen is still needing help. Starter-turned-closer Nathan Evoladi has the elite-level stuff to work in the role, but the Red Sox would be smart to another late-innings option in a set-up/back up closer role. Boston has been linked to relievers like Kirby Yates, Ken Giles, Daniel Hudson, and Will Smith over the last few weeks.

Home/MLB