MLB power rankings: Ranking which teams are under the most pressure before the MLB trade deadline
By Kevin Henry
15) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
The Twins entered the weekend with the top-ranked pitching group according to Baseball Reference’s WAR calculations, with the starters leading the league with a whopping 4.8 bWAR combined (Tampa Bay was second at 3.3). Minnesota has the arms in place to be a good team, but the Twins’ inability to gain control of the mediocre AL Central speaks to the issues that have come with the team at the plate. Outfield is particularly a problem, with the Twins ranking 24th at minus-0.9 bWAR. It feels like the Twins could make some moves and not only help their cause in the division, but also make themselves more dangerous in the postseason. The question becomes will they … and how aggressive will they be. The division is there for the taking.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
What will the Cubs do with Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger? That’s the all-consuming question on the North Side right now. It certainly feels like the Cubs could get a very nice return for both players if they choose to move them, but Chicago needs to decide just how much Bellinger, who has shown a return to form with his one-year deal, is a part of the future of the team. Chicago won’t win the division, but it certainly could win the trade deadline with the right moves.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox
In the ultra-competitive American League East, the Red Sox not only have to figure out the direction they’re heading this season, but also how this season’s decisions at the MLB trade deadline will impact next year as well. Entering Sunday just 2.0 games back in the Wild Card chase, it makes sense for Boston to improve in the pitching department. Can they get controllable starters that can help them past this season, the same goal that so many other MLB teams have as well? It feels like West Coast trips to Seattle, San Francisco and Oakland will determine much of the direction for the Red Sox.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
Who would’ve thought the Reds would be in this position this season? Sure, some of you are raising your hands, but be honest, did you expect Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and the rest of the youth movement in Cincinnati to mesh so well with the return of Joey Votto (and for Votto to come through the way he has)? Will this ownership group actually invest in a chase to win the division? Yet another question we didn’t envision asking when the season began.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays jumped out of the gate, but came back to earth around the Midsummer Classic. With the Baltimore Orioles now close behind in the division standings, Tampa Bay will have to make the right moves at the MLB trade deadline to keep their impressive season on its previous trajectory. Catcher is (by bWAR) the weakest position on the Rays, and Tampa Bay needs to get and stay healthy. Small tweaks can be enough to carry the Rays into the postseason, but they have to be the right tweaks to serve notice they’re not going to surrender the division to Baltimore or anyone else.