Fansided

MLB power rankings: Re-calibrating the league after the trade deadline

By Sean Sears

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Zack Greinke #21 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Zack Greinke #21 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 15
Next
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 31: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays is interviewed after the Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1 to win the game at Kauffman Stadium on July 31, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 31: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays is interviewed after the Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1 to win the game at Kauffman Stadium on July 31, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

26. Toronto Blue Jays, 43-67, 4th in the AL East (ranked 27th last week)

The Blue Jays traded All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman to the Mets this weekend, receiving minor league arms Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson in return. Toronto did well trading Stroman getting the Mets’ No. 4 prospect in Kay who was dominating in Double-A and could be on an MLB roster by the end of next season. And Woods Richardson is the Mets’ No. 6 prospect but at 18-years-old is still a few years away, but a former second-round pick the righty has plenty of upside.

Toronto also moved right-handers Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini to the Astros for Derek Fisher, who has yet to put it all together at the MLB level but is another high-upside player for the Blue Jays. And finally, the Blue Jays wrapped up a busy trade deadline moving reliever Daniel Hudson to the Nationals for pitcher Kyle Johnson, adding more pitching depth to the farm system. But with a .500 record over their last 10 games and the promotion of top prospect Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays are feeling good about their club’s future.

25. Pittsburgh Pirates, 47-61, last in the NL Central (ranked 24th last week)

Losers of nine of their last 10 games, the Pirates are playing some of the worst baseball in the league, but they still didn’t sell any core pieces like Closer Felipe Vasquez. However, Pittsburgh did send OF Corey Dickerson and the rest of his $8.5 million owed to Philadelphia for international bonus allotments and player to be named later.

But a combination of injuries starting to stack up and a rotation that has underperformed when healthy. All-Star 1B Josh Bell has cooled off since his hot May batting just .212 since June 1st and the slugger has yet to hit a home run in the 2nd half. Without Bell driving in runs, the Pirates offense hasn’t been able to compensate for their shortcomings on the mound and it’s lead to a rough stretch of games.

Home/MLB