Teams ready for big trade deadline changes
Bob Nightengale breaks down which teams are expected to make big moves before the MLB trade deadline.
Has there ever been a more disastrous trade deadline collapse than the Miami Marlins trap of the past two weeks?
The Marlins lost a franchise-record 12 straight games, dropping the division lead by three games from 52-42 to 52-54, clinching eighth place in the NL wild-card race, and fell from favorites to win the NL East to almost certain sellers at the trade deadline as they suffered a franchise-record 12-game losing streak. The Marlins, baseball’s hottest team, went 26-8 from June 1 to July 9, their last win before this cold snap, but suddenly they may be ready to sell one of their most prized assets on the market.
Yes, former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara is back in action, long the subject of trade speculation until the Marlins’ run of form. That makes the Marlins’ 12th loss in this fiasco all the more bizarre. The San Diego Padres scored four runs in the eighth inning, with Mason Miller making his 27th save. Miller is also being targeted as a potential trade piece as the Padres move away from competition.
But the weekend against the Marlins put them ahead of Miami not only in the National League standings, but also in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings. Miami fell nine spots to 18th place, but who knows how far they will fall once the deadline passes?
Take a look at the latest rankings:
- He won again with shocking regularity and was able to spend some sweet time with pitcher Shohei Ohtani.
- There’s nothing wrong with being a pitcher like Jacob Misiorowski, who can pitch five innings and strike out 12 of 16 batters.
3. Atlanta Braves (-)
- Ozzie Albies is on pace to hit 26 home runs, the most since 2023.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- Brian “The Outmaker” Baker made 17 consecutive save chances and allowed just one goal.
5. New York Yankees (+1)
- I don’t know if the trade deadline can change their apparent destiny as No. 2/No. 1. 1 wild card.
- After giving up seven runs and hitting three home runs, Jameson Taillon’s ERA is 5.92, and his place in the rotation is in doubt.
- Very quietly, their running differential is -18.
8. Chicago White Sox (-)
- While his parents threw out the first pitch, Munetaka Murakami’s day was like a bobblehead, as he hit two home runs and drove in six RBIs.
- There are four starting pitchers on the IL, making the trade deadline a tricky time for the third wild card holder.
- A move to win right now for Craig Breslow?There’s plenty to support buying Curtis Mead.
- There’s no need to wait for a deadline to upgrade your bullpen.
- Corey Seager remains in first place as he heads off on a rehab assignment.
13. Washington Nationals (+4)
- Hours after Curtis Meade, All-Star CJ Abrams and James Wood combined for four home runs.
14. St. Louis Cardinals (-3)
- Losing the home series to the Reds has kept them out of contention.
15. Cleveland Guardians (-3)
- With five consecutive losses, they are closer to third place than first place.
16. San Diego Padres (+2)
- A sweep in Miami means a very happy flight to San Diego.
17. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- During a lackluster series in Texas, they looked like a team in desperate need of reinforcements.
18. Miami Marlins (-9)
- During the 12-game losing streak, they conceded an average of just 2.5 points per game.
19. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- Catchers Adley Rutschman and Samuel Vassallo were out, and their replacements, Chadwick Tromp and Sam Huff, combined for 7-for-50.
- Van Lackey, the No. 3 overall pick, will begin his journey to Target Field in High Class A Cedar Rapids.
- Losing the series to the Royals at this point would be a real shock.
- With the induction of Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent, the 2004 team had four Hall of Famers.
- He was left for dead and then won three in a row. interesting…
- Max Scherzer returned, making his first start since June 10th.
- Like clockwork, Rafael Devers’ OPS is now .803.
- When Juan Soto returns to the IL, he likely won’t play more than 100 games.
- Nostalgia Week: Salvador Perez passes George Brett for franchise HR record, Carlos Beltran enters Cooperstown.
- Shea Langeliers’ untimely torn meniscus could earn her another year in Yolo County.
- Cole Kallig hit the only hit, a home run, off Jacob Misiorowski.
30. Los Angeles Angels (-1)
- Trade Jose Soriano? Sadly, that probably makes sense.
