MLB Power Rankings: How likely each of the 30 teams are to sell at the trade deadline
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
Like gnats in the summertime, the Baltimore Orioles are going to be a real pain this year. They own one of the best records and shouldn’t be shy about trying to land a big piece at this season’s trade deadline. The best starting pitcher available should be on their radar. For the same reasons the Toronto Blue Jays need to strike and give it a great effort, the Orioles need to go above and beyond.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros
The problem for the Houston Astros may be a lack of resources to continue to buy at the trade deadline. They’ve been contenders for years now. How dry has their system become? The Astros aren’t in the business of winning a World Series and moving on. They prefer the dynasty style of owning the ALCS. Chances of them becoming trade deadline sellers aren’t great, but with a couple of major injuries to the pitching staff, this could be a year where they see themselves in unfamiliar territory.
23) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees
It’s rare to see the New York Yankees do any sort of selling at the trade deadline. Even this season with a whole lot more competition in their own division, the Yankees are probably going to put up some sort of a fight. They did deal away a lot of prospects at last year’s trade deadline only for things to end the same way. Like the Houston Astros, how much more can the Yankees afford to give up? They’ve held onto many of their best prospects. Unless they’re willing to part with Jasson Dominguez, this could be a year of smaller pieces for the Yankees.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are far from secure atop the American League Central. Because of the wide-openness of the division and seemingly only a single challenger in the division, their odds of becoming sellers is incredibly slim. Buying should be on their minds even if they fall out of first and even below .500 by the trade deadline. This franchise cannot afford such a horrid collapse in the second-half again.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
The thing about the Arizona Diamondbacks when it comes to buying and selling this year is they don’t have a whole lot to sell. Zac Gallen isn’t going anywhere. Those annual Ketel Marte trade discussions from fans in other cities will be purely out of desire and not based on any actual rumors. The Diamondbacks are a team destined to buy or do nothing at all. For the sake of something new, let’s hope for the former.