July 29 MLB Power Rankings: Where do Atlanta Braves stand before trade deadline?
By James Kunkle
Time for our weekly MLB Power Rankings again. Let’s look and see where the Atlanta Braves and the rest of the team’s stack up.
We will also list players that could still be moved from every seller as the Atlanta Braves and other teams prepare for the trade deadline. Thursday we will put out our MLB Power Rankings post-trade deadline.
30. Detroit Tigers
It’s becoming very clear that the Tigers have now passed Baltimore as the team that has the darkest road ahead to get back into contention. Look for them to move Nicholas Castellanos, maybe Matthew Boyd, and Buck Farmer.
29. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have actually played a little better here lately but are still mired at the back of these rankings. Trey Mancini, Mychal Givens, and Jonathan Villar could all wear new uniforms come Wednesday evening.
28. Miami Marlins
Miami actually ended the week pretty good winning 4 of its last 5 games. After sending Sergio Romo to Minnesota, they could still move Starlin Castro and Caleb Smith, perhaps?
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates had a glimmer of hope a few weeks ago but have completely crumbled since. They have lost 8 in a row now and are guaranteed sellers before the deadline. Players they could move include Keone Kela, Felipe Vazquez, and Corey Dickerson.
26. Toronto Blue Jays
The Marcus Stroman era is over in Toronto as the Blue Jays settled on a less than stellar offer in my view. However, they have now called up Bo Bichette completing the new trio of Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Cavan Biggio, and Bichette. They still could trade Ken Giles, Joe Biagini, and Daniel Hudson
25. Kansas City Royals
Atlanta Braves fans saw first-hand how good the Royals have played since the break. They did then stumble against a red hot Cleveland team, though. I’m sure KC would love to unload Ian Kennedy’s contract, but they also could move Billy Hamilton, and Danny Duffy.
24. Seattle Mariners
Some may be surprised to notice that the Mariners have the current longest winning streak in the bigs. Small asterisk though as 4 straight come at the hands of the Tigers. Domingo Santana and Mike Leake could find new homes this week.
23. Colorado Rockies
Atlanta Braves fans are a little happy that Colorado made a comeback against the Nats Thursday — that helped a little. Tough sledding this week as they have the Dodgers and the red hot Giants. Charlie Blackmon is reportedly available, but it would surely cost a lot.
22. Chicago White Sox
The positives that were going on have now stopped for the time. Injuries and regression have taken over for Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, and Eloy Jimenez. They could potentially move Jose Abreu, Aaron Bummer, and Alex Colome
21. San Diego Padres
San Diego has taken a nosedive since the break but the outlook is extremely high for the future still. I look for them to sell short term pieces but be “buyers” this week. They have long been linked to a high quality starting pitcher.