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MLB power rankings: Ranking which teams are under the most pressure before the MLB trade deadline

By Kevin Henry

Jul 14, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) reacts after a called third strike during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) reacts after a called third strike during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JUNE 24: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles catches against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 24, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

10) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore surprised last season and made everyone believers in what the Orioles can do. However, the team decided to pull back at the MLB trade deadline and not chase the postseason, choosing instead to sell. This season, Orioles fans aren’t going to accept that same choice. Can Baltimore survive a late-July gauntlet that includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies? Can the Orioles find the right starting pitcher to boost the rotation? It’s going to be an interesting few days in Baltimore.

9) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers

There are plenty of areas where the Brewers can improve at the MLB trade deadline, but don’t count on starting pitcher Corbin Burnes being dealt this season like Josh Hader was last year. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told Burnes that he is staying in Milwaukee and that, according to Burnes, “They’re looking to add some pieces. Obviously the market we’re in, they’re going to do it responsibly and not trade off the farm system for one guy for two months.” Milwaukee has to not only figure out what those pieces are, but also make sure they don’t shatter the locker room like they did last season when Hader was traded.

8) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays

Is there any team that enters seasons with more expectations only to not live up to them more than the Blue Jays? Mired in the middle of the AL East, Toronto was supposed to be the team to beat again this season. However, an implosion from Alek Manoah leveled a blow to a rotation that was already missing Hyun Jin Ryu. Manoah is already back with the Jays and Toronto hopes he can level out. Ryu has made some rehab starts and could return soon. Toronto needs answers (and consistency) before the MLB trade deadline.

7) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks

Flash back to the 2018 season, a year when the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers were battling for the top of the NL West. At the MLB trade deadline, the Rockies did little while the Dodgers restocked with Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. It would take Game 163, but the Dodgers did top the Rockies and win the division. It feels like that a bit this season as well with the Diamondbacks and Dodgers chasing the top. Will Arizona be aggressive at the deadline, and will it be aggressive enough to keep the Dodgers at bay? The core is already solid in the desert but help could certainly be used in the rotation and designated hitter.

6) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox

For the White Sox (and, spoiler alert, the rest of the teams on the list), it’s about choosing the right pieces to sell at the trade deadline and getting the right return. Lucas Giolito should be one of the most valuable trade chips in all of MLB, with the Dodgers already linked to him as a potential destination. Now the question becomes who else goes away from the South Side and what do the White Sox get in return? The next two weeks are all about the deals that can be made to build for the future.

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