MLB Power Rankings after the trade deadline

The 2020 MLB Trade Deadline wasn’t short on drama.

Even in a 60-game season wherein the MLB Trade Deadline was pushed all the way back to Aug. 31, some of the biggest names in the game found out they’d have new homes for the remainder of the season.

The biggest name who was shipped elsewhere was Mike Clevinger, who was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres.

The dust has settled now that contenders have geared up for a postseason run, and it’s time to take stock of who has the best shot at a title this year with new MLB Power Rankings for the top half of the league.

These are the best 15 teams in the MLB right now

The Detroit Tigers, winners of five straight, have a case for this spot, but the Marlins took this spot due to their aggressiveness as they traded for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Starling Marte. This is still a very young team reeling from the COVID-19 outbreak, but Miami’s willingness to still add pieces in a division that is as wide open as humanly possible has Dom Mattingly thinking playoffs.

The Cardinals shouldn’t be anywhere near the playoff picture given the lack of star power and the late start to the season, but that patented St. Louis magic has them once again eyeing a playoff spot. While unable to secure another power hitter to help out with their ailing lineup, St. Louis can lean on Jack Flaherty and their excellent starting rotation enough to propel them close to a playoff spot once again.

The Rockies are still in the playoff hunt, but Colorado shouldn’t be feeling confident right now despite the solid starting pitching. The bullpen has a bunch of question marks, and Nolan Arenado is not hitting at a usual Arenado clip, as he is hitting just .268 with seven home runs this season. Even if Bud Black starts to work his magic and gets into the postseason, how far can they go if Arenado doesn’t return to the MVP form he showcased over the last few seasons?

It might not be time to hit the panic button in Minnesota, but there is some real cause for concern around Rocco Baldelli’s squad. The Bomba Squad is starting to be defused, and the lack of pitching outside of Kenta Maeda has the Twins slipping in what has suddenly become a very competitive AL Central. With the White Sox mashing and the Indians fresh off picking up six players via trade, Minnesota’s inactivity at the deadline wasn’t ideal.

The Blue Jays weren’t expected to be anywhere near the postseason due to the youth all over this roster, but Charlie Montoyo’s neophyte Jays are swinging the bats well enough to stand firmly in third place in the AL East. They recognized that starting pitching was an issue, and they chose to address that by trading for Taijuan Walker, Ross Stripling and Robbie Ray, all of whom are a bit of a risk. If both of them revert to the form they showed in the middle of the last decade, Toronto might win a playoff series.