MLB Power Rankings: Which teams made the right moves at the trade deadline?
By Kevin Henry
With the MLB trade deadline in the rearview mirror, this week’s MLB power rankings focus on which teams are best suited for a deep postseason run, either this season or in the future.
As expected, it was a wild MLB trade deadline with some surprising moves and a stunning rebuke of the Los Angeles Dodgers by starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (more about that later). So which teams made the biggest moves and positioned themselves for success the rest of the season? That’s where this week’s MLB power rankings come into play.
30) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets
Not only did the Mets pull the plug on the 2023 season by jettisoning two of the most notable pitchers in all of MLB, but also having to send money along with both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander was the ultimate gut punch. Perhaps more damning than that were the comments that Scherzer shared from general manager Billy Eppler that indicated the Mets weren’t building for next year, but perhaps 2025 or 2026. If you’re Shohei Ohtani, those comments make you cross the Mets off any potential destinations next season.
29) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees
Let’s face it, the Yankees were caught in between reality and what they should be doing, which many people thought should have been selling. A late trade for relief pitcher Keynan Middleton from the Chicago White Sox was the extent of New York’s dealings, and that doesn’t feel like enough to push the team forward for the rest of 2023 or position them for success in 2024 and beyond. For Yankees fans, Tuesday was a big disappointment … but at least they’re not the Mets.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
Another season, another time the Mariners sent their closer packing. This time it was Paul Sewald being shipped out in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Granted, Seattle was able to put things together after trading off Kendall Gravemen to the Houston Astros at the 2021 MLB trade deadline and the AL West is looking tough after moves made by Seattle’s division foes, but will any of the three players the Mariners get in return really be difference-makers for a team that needs offensive help? It doesn’t seem so.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers
What in the world happened with Eduardo Rodriguez? Detroit’s best trade chip is still with the Tigers after the MLB trade deadline, and our own Mark Powell takes some issues with the lack of movement on the part of Scott Harris. With Rodriguez likely heading to the free agent market after this season, this was the chance to get something from a starting pitcher who was a wanted commodity. Harris and the Tigers failed.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers will very likely be in the postseason (FanGraphs gives them a 96.1 percent chance to get there), but after missing out on targets like Justin Verlander and Rodriguez (who invoked his no-trade clause despite a rumored deal being in place) didn’t help a pitching staff that needs some healthy arms. Los Angeles needed to make a big splash at the MLB trade deadline to pass the Atlanta Braves to be the favorites in the NL. That didn’t happen.