MLB Power Rankings: How the trade deadline changed everything

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 12: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres during the 2021 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 12: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres during the 2021 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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MLB Power Rankings
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 30: William Contreras #24 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds second after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on July 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

6) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves began their MLB trade deadline process with the additions of Robbie Grossman and Jake Odorizzi. Relatively light moves compared to the bigger splashes other teams were making, these weren’t the big flexes the team needed in order to move up the MLB Power Rankings.

Raisel Iglesias will be a nice addition to their bullpen but he also could be a disaster. The Braves never really got the big, impressive bat they may have been seeking. However, like many of MLB’s best clubs, they already had plenty of the good stuff.

The Braves weren’t able to repeat last year’s trade deadline magic. They didn’t really need to. This year’s team is stacked enough.

5) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets

The New York Mets actually got started early on the MLB trade deadline when they acquired Daniel Vogelbach from the Pittsburgh Pirates and then upgraded the depth further with Tyler Naquin. Expectations were through the roof for them as the clock inched closer to 6 p.m.

The Mets waited until almost 4pm to add Darin Ruf in a questionable swap with the San Francisco Giants. It continued with their trend of adding more minor role players rather than a big splash.

More important than any trade they could have made, the Mets got Jacob deGrom back on the mound Tuesday night. They’re still ahead of the Braves in the standings and the MLB Power Rankings. Will a light trade deadline hurt them?