MLB Power Rankings of which teams are most likely to become trade deadline sellers.
A whole lot can change between now and the MLB trade deadline. Many teams have played about 40 games this year. Sparky Anderson knows it takes 40 games to know what a team is or isn't. In this week's MLB Power Rankings, we make some assumptions about who will or won't be sellers at this year's trade deadline.
Using the current standings and some preseason predictions, let's look at who is most likely to have a "FOR SALE" sign pinned to the telephone pole on the corner.
30) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are running away with the division. Seem familiar? It would take some sort of an epic collapse for them to possibly fall out of the playoff picture. They've spent the last two years playing catch up only to come away as the winners. We should expect a slump from this ball club at some point. However, mark them down as the least likely to sell this summer.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
Wait, is this disrespect? The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in baseball and yet they are more likely to sell than the Atlanta Braves? There's a reasoning behind this and it doesn't necessarily have to do with them playing in a tough division. The Rays will go to the playoffs. What they may also do is sell while buying. An example of this was in 2021 when they traded Rich Hill to the New York Mets while adding other pieces to the roster. The Rays do things differently. This year, it's working.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
Even if the Texas Rangers somehow begin to fade, this is the kind of year where a trade deadline shopping spree might be exactly what they need to restart the World Series mission. Aside from their early success, this is a team that literally just bought in big this winter. Nothing's for sale in Arlington. They're going to be buyers.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers
This year's Los Angeles Dodgers team still feels weaker than some of the others and yet here they are right up with the best clubs in the game. Their slow start seems to be behind them at this point. The Dodgers are playing great baseball and will probably win the National League West, again. Only because we've seen better Dodgers teams in the recent past is there still a small fraction of a chance they don't buy this summer.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
One of the best trade chips in MLB resides on the Toronto Blue Jays roster. Matt Chapman would net them a nice haul. Even nicer would be to have him leading the championship parade. The Blue Jays need to be at an "all in" phase of the franchise's history. Seeing as the New York Yankees aren't so good and the Boston Red Sox appear combustible, now is their chance. Unfortunately, they do have to do with the Tampa Bay Rays and those pesky Baltimore Orioles who suddenly decided to wake up.
25) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
Like gnats in the summertime, the Baltimore Orioles are going to be a real pain this year. They own one of the best records and shouldn't be shy about trying to land a big piece at this season's trade deadline. The best starting pitcher available should be on their radar. For the same reasons the Toronto Blue Jays need to strike and give it a great effort, the Orioles need to go above and beyond.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros
The problem for the Houston Astros may be a lack of resources to continue to buy at the trade deadline. They've been contenders for years now. How dry has their system become? The Astros aren't in the business of winning a World Series and moving on. They prefer the dynasty style of owning the ALCS. Chances of them becoming trade deadline sellers aren't great, but with a couple of major injuries to the pitching staff, this could be a year where they see themselves in unfamiliar territory.
23) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees
It's rare to see the New York Yankees do any sort of selling at the trade deadline. Even this season with a whole lot more competition in their own division, the Yankees are probably going to put up some sort of a fight. They did deal away a lot of prospects at last year's trade deadline only for things to end the same way. Like the Houston Astros, how much more can the Yankees afford to give up? They've held onto many of their best prospects. Unless they're willing to part with Jasson Dominguez, this could be a year of smaller pieces for the Yankees.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are far from secure atop the American League Central. Because of the wide-openness of the division and seemingly only a single challenger in the division, their odds of becoming sellers is incredibly slim. Buying should be on their minds even if they fall out of first and even below .500 by the trade deadline. This franchise cannot afford such a horrid collapse in the second-half again.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
The thing about the Arizona Diamondbacks when it comes to buying and selling this year is they don't have a whole lot to sell. Zac Gallen isn't going anywhere. Those annual Ketel Marte trade discussions from fans in other cities will be purely out of desire and not based on any actual rumors. The Diamondbacks are a team destined to buy or do nothing at all. For the sake of something new, let's hope for the former.
20) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have set themselves up early to become trade deadline buyers, but a slump in June or July could completely change things. In fact, they might end up as one of those ball clubs that buys and sells at the same time. Last year they traded Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres and made a few other moves more akin to what a seller would do. This season, trading Corbin Burnes for multiple pieces might be the outside-of-the-box type of move they make. Swapping him for a lesser arm and a bat is extreme yet not out unimaginable.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox
Do we start believing the Boston Red Sox can compete? Their offense is leading the way. The bullpen isn't so bad either. This is another team that's tough to pinpoint. They were cautious about selling at last year's trade deadline, holding onto players like J.D. Martinez who eventually just left in free agency. They're going to need a turnaround from the starting pitching staff to remain in the buyer's market.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
No one should have a clear picture of exactly who the Seattle Mariners are this season. They've been much more average than they were last season. A major sell-off isn't going to happen, but a couple of pieces could head elsewhere. Someone like Teoscar Hernandez would be an addition many teams would like to add to their roster as a power bat. The Mariners are a bit of a mess right now. Have confidence they'll turn it around.
17) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets
The New York Mets haven't been trade deadline sellers during either of the two seasons under the ownership of Steve Cohen. This season is tracking a little differently. There aren't any incredibly good trade pieces they could send elsewhere. Nobody is ready to take on the huge Max Scherzer contract. Despite the narrative of the Mets being a disaster this year, the extra wild card spots and a talented roster should have them in contention and buying in July and on the first of August.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
A lot of the same facts apply for the Philadelphia Phillies as they do for the New York Mets. It hasn't been a beautiful start to the year for the defending National League Champions. The difference between them and the Mets is the Phillies started off very slow and are finally starting to turn things around. In what could be Aaron Nola's last season with the ball club, they should look to move him only if their playoff chances are dead. As they learned last year, all you need to do is get into the postseason.
15) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
Imagine the glee on the faces of Los Angeles Dodgers fans if the San Diego Padres become trade deadline sellers. Falling right in the middle of this week's MLB Power Rankings, a horrible stretch out of them could have the ball club taking a step back before taking one forward. Players like Josh Hader and even Juan Soto could be on the block. What about Fernando Tatis Jr.? Getting out from under his contract might be a wise thing to do if it means they can reload with someone else.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
Everyone wants the Los Angeles Angels to sell if only to see what kind of a trade package it would take to land Shohei Ohtani. The biggest potential free agent this offseason and undeniably the most awesome trade candidate to consider this summer, you're either rooting for the Angels to win a World Series or hoping he finishes on your team's roster. There is little in between. If you're undecided, root for drama.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs made the kind of offseason moves to set themselves up much better for a trade deadline sale than a championship. Early overachievements could have them in contention a little longer than many would expect. The Cubs may not be sellers. They could land somewhere in between. Sending Eric Hosmer or Trey Mancini in a deal and buying another player could always be the direction they head in.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates
It does feel like the Pittsburgh Pirates are coming back down from the early cloud they were riding this year. An inevitable trade deadline sale may be headed back to Pittsburgh. They'll be cautious about who they trade away. Mercenaries like Carlos Santana brought in this offseason might be nice chips to swap for an arm in Triple-A. Anybody who roots for the underdog will hope the Pirates get back to their winning way and can avoid yet another summer of selling.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians need to prove they're in the upper echelon of the American League to improve their spot on this list. Their offense just isn't that good this year. Frankly, neither is their pitching. The one benefit they do have is playing in the American League Central. The more balanced MLB schedule might mathematically give us a chance to see a below .500 team in the playoffs. Cleveland should be careful about selling too soon.
10) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins aren't going to buy at this year's trade deadline. That's for sure. This leaves them with only one other option, selling. Do they do that? Maybe not. The Marlins, despite a decent record, are far closer to ending after 162 games than getting into the postseason. There isn't much to sell anymore without pushing the team further back. This year isn't it for the Marlins so keeping the team intact while moving a few minor pieces should be the way to go.
9) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
Start licking your chops at the available players the San Francisco Giants can trade. The pitching is what should have your mouth watering most. They have a whole bunch of contracts with either a player or club option for 2024 on the payroll. It could complicate some moving and shaking, however, the Giants need to face reality. Make the most of any trade pieces you have and improve for the future.
8) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
If the San Francisco Giants selling has you excited, grab a fork and a knife for what the St. Louis Cardinals might want to start shipping out. Although the reason why they are so close to the number one spot in this week's MLB Power Rankings means they're getting a lot of crummy seasons out of players, a change of scenery might be what it will take for a couple of these guys to turn their year around. Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are two rentals to consider. The Cardinals should remain open to other players as well. With Willson Contreras already moved from the catcher spot, you better believe they'd be willing to move him in the right deal.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are showing a lot of improvement this season but they'll remain trade deadline sellers. The most intriguing name could be Eduardo Rodriguez who has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the game this season. Already 4-2 with a 1.57 ERA after 8 starts, he's the kind of guy the Tigers need to capitalize on this year. The market may not be filled with incredible arms. Be realistic. Get something of value back.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
Other than maybe Wil Myers, the Cincinnati Reds don't have a whole lot left to sell. It's all gone. A few trinkets remain. They could always subtract from their surplus of shortstops. If Joey Votto can come back and prove he has something in the tank, maybe a job as a part-time DH for the Toronto Blue Jays makes sense. The Reds will be selling. The variety of options will rival Costco. Yes, you can get everything in bulk but there's only one flavor.
5) MLB Power Rankings: Washington Nationals
Another guaranteed seller without much to give up are the Washington Nationals. Their best chips would be players other teams would give up a Double-A prospect ranking 40th in the system to acquire. There really aren't a whole lot of movable parts on this roster any longer. Can they interest you in an Erasmo Ramirez or a Carl Edwards Jr.? It's about the extent of what they can give up.
4) MLB Power Rankings: Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals already started selling off some pieces in the offseason. They're definitely going to rid the payroll of a few more players. Aroldis Chapman and Scott Barlow are two of their better trade assets. They signed Jordan Lyles this offseason with some intent to potentially flip him. His struggles make him worthless on the trade market. This is a team that is most likely to ship out a bunch of bullpen arms at the deadline instead.
3) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
One of the more fun teams to watch at this year's trade deadline is a club that doesn't seem to ever admit where it is. The Colorado Rockies have a lot of pending free agents. A couple of them need to get dealt. We should believe they will. You can turn to the Kansas City Royals for some bullpen arms. It's the Rockies who have the bats. C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk, Jurickson Profar, etc. should all be discussed in the many MLB rumors circulating this July. Together, the Rockies are one of the worst teams in baseball. Separate a bunch of their players and they can help out contenders.
2) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics
Why aren't they number one on this list? It's because there isn't much left for the Oakland Athletics to sell. It's quite possible they do very little at the trade deadline. They found Brent Rooker in the scrap heap and maybe before they land in Las Vegas they'd like to start keeping a few players like him. They need some warm bodies to get them through the year.
1) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
Number one isn't always the best place to be. Unfortunately for the Chicago White Sox, they're headed toward a dismantling. What makes them a team to watch at this year's trade deadline is how much variety of talent they have to send elsewhere. They have a little of everything. A rental like Lucas Giolito should be available. So could fan-favorite Tim Anderson. What about Luis Robert Jr.? Another year of underachieving has put the White Sox in an early hole. Place your bids now. Auctioneer/GM Rick Hahn is about to open up the doors.