MLB Power Rankings: How the trade deadline changed everything

2) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

Compared to what a few other teams did at the MLB trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers were unusually silent. Again, they already had the players. They brought Freddie Freeman in over the winter. Tyler Anderson has been a revelation for them this season.

The Dodgers had one of the more unexpectedly quiet trade deadlines. Joey Gallo was the biggest bat they acquired. A few days earlier, they were able to pick up Chris Martin to help out with relief duties.

Nevertheless, winning the trade deadline doesn’t win a championship. This was a team already strutting through the MLB season in a muscle shirt nearly every week. They may not have won any major trade sweepstakes. That’s all right as long as they win the big one.

1) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees made some necessary upgrades to their roster at the MLB trade deadline. The headline addition was pitcher Frankie Montas from the Oakland Athletics. A few days before the frenzy, they were able to secure Andrew Benintendi for their outfield.

A little more minor yet impactful was the addition of Scott Effross to the bullpen as well. The Yankees were already dominating in the MLB Power Rankings from week to week. After the trade deadline, they get back to number one.

We give the Yankees some extra points for actually being able to trade Joey Gallo, too. A half a point in the MLB Power Rankings is also awarded for pulling off the Jordan Montgomery for Harrison Bader swap which came from out of left field. The Yankees, with Montas and others now in tow, looked ready to win a championship.