The last month of the regular season is when the MLB trade deadline will take place.
As the August 2 deadline approaches, some teams will make moves to get players who will have an immediate playoff impact, while others will look to trade their star to focus on long-term playoff hopes.
The Yankees have a good chance of making the playoffs, but they have begun to show cracks after the All-Star break, so they could look to acquire talent at the deadline. The BlueJays have won seven of their last eight games, so they might try to do the same. The Nationals are the focus of the deadline due to the possible departure of Juan Soto.
Ahead of the trade deadline, how do all 30 squad stacks up?
A combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season has resulted in our expert panel ranking every team in baseball. The experts were asked to observe all 30 teams.
The second half of the preseason rankings.
The record was 65-32.
The previous ranking was three.
The Dodgers have the finances to afford any star and have pulled off blockbusters in the past, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they are linked to Juan Soto. It's difficult to determine what it is they need and that's their big question.
Their staff is the lowest in the majors. There are questions throughout their rotation and in the back end of theirReliever. It's hard to know if Walker Buehler will return in September or not. It's reasonable to wonder if Andrew Heaney, Tony Gonsolin, and Tyler Anderson will remain effective. The Dodgers need help more than the other way around.
The record was 66-33.
The previous ranking was one.
The Yankees have a number of injuries, including pitcher Michael King who is on the injured list. New York doesn't have much to worry about in regards to the division lead, but it needs to make sure it maintains its consistency across the pitching staff as it deals with several key players needing time off to heal. There might be more pressure to make a move if the team is struggling.
The record was 64-35.
The previous rank was 2.
There is a rumor that the Astros have a first baseman. It's a good match. Houston has plenty of power up and down the lineup and Bell is having a career season in terms of average and on- base percentage. The kind of hitter who can balance an attack that has been built around secondary average more than recent Houston offenses that also hit for average is profiled by Bell. Bell has been a better hitter against righties this season than lefties.
Gurriel is 38 years old and the Astros can't afford to worry about him when they get into the playoffs. Bell is a good choice for Houston. Bell makes sense for other teams as well.
The record was 61 37.
The previous ranking was four.
The Mets made their first move of the trade deadline, acquiring a designated hitter from the Pirates in exchange for a pitcher who had pitched well in 15 appearances. Although reports suggest the Mets are still interested in Josh Bell, the Mets should be able to get an upgrade to what they've been getting at designated hitter. They would have to be viewed as a long-shot contender for Soto since they would likely add a relief arm.
The record was 59-40.
The previous ranking was five.
The Braves have lost two in a row for the first time since June when they dropped two at Wrigley Field. They bounced back to win on Tuesday and have not lost three in a row. Austin Riley made the All-Star team. He extended his hitting streak to 18 games, a stretch that includes nine doubles and eight home runs while hitting above.400. That streak came to an end on Wednesday.
The record was 54-40.
The previous ranking was fourteen.
Since the All-Star break, Toronto has scored at a historic rate. In the first four games of the second half, the BlueJays scored at least 50 runs for the first time since 1933, and they did it in a big way, scoring 28 runs in a single game. John Schneider is the first manager since 1884 to have a run differential of 50 or more.
The record was 55-47.
The previous ranking was six.
In the first half of the season, which teams did well and which did not?
Everything from an A to an F was handed out.
Second-half preview for all 30 teams
An encouraging sign emerged in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon, when Fernando Tatis Jr., who has spent all year recovering from surgery to his left wrist, went through on- field batting practice for the first time this season. The Padres' offense has been one of the worst in the sport this season without him, and they are seen as the favorites to land him. Gore, seen by many as the key piece of any Padres deal for Soto, left a recent outing with elbow inflammation. There is no telling if it is serious or not. That injury could have a huge impact on the trade market.
The record was 55-40.
The previous ranking was eight.
Milwaukee has held onto first place in the NL Central. Around the trade deadline, the Brewers are likely to be active for a bat, arm or both. The starting staff is ranked outside of the top 10. There may be help on the way. Getting Freddy back may feel like a trade in itself.
The record was 52-47.
The previous ranking was ten.
If the team really wants to contend in 2022, they need more pitching. The team's strong suit has been the starting pitchers, who rank in the bottom half of the league in average. Paul Goldschmidt had a hot start to his second half. Goldy was named Player of the Week in the NL after hitting four home runs in a weekend series against the Reds.
The record was 52-47.
The previous rank was 11.
The Twins have held the top spot in the American League Central since April 23 with the exception of June. Minnesota has been unable to gain separation in the race. For most of July, the Twins have been between a lead of two and 412 games. The Twins have played the easiest schedule, but the rest of the way they are playing the toughest.
It seems that Minnesota can't take a passive approach to deadlines. The offense could be boosted with an upgrade at a corner position. Every win will be important in this race.
The record was 53-47.
The previous ranking was twelve.
The biggest test will be depth, with 15 players on the IL. 31 players have pitched for the team. With Kevin Kiermaier and Mike Zunino out for the season, the Rays will need more depth in order to stay in the race for the playoffs.
The record was 54-47.
The previous ranking was 13.
He missed the first four games due to a sore wrist and the Astros won three of them at home. Rodriguez came back on Tuesday and hit a home run in his first at-bat, a big sigh of relief for the team as his absence showed how thin the lineup is. The club is rumored to be in on Soto, but such a trade might have to include starter George Kirby, as well as top prospects Noelvimarte and Emerson Hancock.
The record was 51-47.
The previous rank was 9.
The Cubs scored five runs off Jose Alvarado in the 10th and then 4-3 when Bailey Falter allowed three home runs in a 15-2 loss to the Phils. The offense has trouble getting enough runners on base. After Tuesday's game, the team was ranked 20th in the majors and 26th since the injury toHarper. Darick Hall has been hitting at the top of the order for the Phils.
The record was 48-50.
The previous ranking was fifteen.
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The Giants dropped to.500 for the first time since the sixth day of the 2020 season after a loss to the D-backs. It was their seventh straight loss and left them 312 games back of a playoff spot. They had a.348 winning percentage through their first 23 games of the month, and their relief pitchers had a major-league worst 5.68 earned run average. The Giants, who are within striking distance of a third wild-card spot, will look for relief help before the trade deadline. Their defense has been their biggest weakness this year. They are 29th out of 30 teams in outs above average.
The record was 50-47.
The previous rank was 16.
The expanded playoff field can be seen in Cleveland, but we should keep in mind that it's in the eye of the beholder. If you want to be in range of a playoff spot, you need to be in the middle of the pack in the aggregate. The toughest remaining schedule in the American League is headed up by the cluster of the lastAL slot. The White Bulls will benefit in the race by simply playing their schedule in the central part of the country. The biggest areas for short-term improvement are catcher and first baseman.
The record was 50-50.
The previous ranking was seven.
Boston was in second place in the division, but had a bad month in July. Chris Sale was hit by a comebacker in the finger and had to return to the mound for the Red Sox. The team has a bunch of players that other teams could find valuable going into the playoffs, according to Chaim.
The record was 49-47.
The previous rank was 19
The White Bulls are in the middle of their longest hot stretch of the year. With the trade deadline less than a week away, Chicago is still within striking distance of a playoff spot.
Chicago might get more of a boost fromUpgrading at second base, right field or both, because the White Sox's biggest hope for improvement in that area is for their key arms to get healthy and produce. The White Sox have the easiest remaining schedule in the majors.
The record was 49-47.
The previous rank was 17
The Orioles are fourth in the American League East. Even though catcher Adley Rutschman needs time to make adjustments at the major league level, Baltimore fans still have faith in the marked improvement of the team this season. The fan base can find hope that the future is brighter at Camden Yards, despite the fact that the team is a little bit away from contention.
The record was 46-54.
The previous ranking was 18.
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Sunday, 7 pm The Cubs are playing the Giants.
After losing four of their first seven games after the All-Star break, the Marlins will now listen to offers on starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, according to local reports. Lopez matched his season high with 11 strikeouts on Tuesday and is currently on a five-game winning streak. Lopez makes just $2.45 million this season and is under team control for the next two years. Lopez is of interest to any playoff contender, but don't expect a deal.
The record was 44-54.
The previous ranking was twenty.
Texas has not lived up to expectations. The Rangers have lost a series to Oakland after flirting with.500. The Rangers don't have a regular hitter with an OPS over.800 and are just midpack in several key offensive anddefensive categories. One bright spot is outfielder Leody Taveras who has taken positive steps in the future.
The record was 45-54.
The previous rank was 22.
The D-backs will be sellers at the trade deadline for the third year in a row. History shows that they won't be moving long-term players such as Ketel Marte. One intriguing name to watch, though, is Christian Walker, a 31 year old, right-handed-hitting first baseman who would be controllable through the 2024 season. David Peralta, a veteran outfielder who will enter the free agent market this winter, will draw a lot of interest.
The record was 45-54.
The previous rank was 23.
A thick band of tissue that runs through the bottom of one's feet and makes it painful to walk is what is causing him to play through it. If he can't play through it, the Rockies won't risk further injury. They're not going anywhere anymore. The pitchers are being called on again. They won't make the major trades that would indicate a rebuild.
The record was 42-54.
The previous rank was 21.
Over the next six days, Shohei Ohtani will be the center of attention, with the Angels once again struggling and rival executives expressing interest. Even though Ohtani is a free agent after the 2023 season, the Angels probably won't want to re-sign him. Minasian will probably be open to the chance of being offered a better deal.
People who know Minasian say he's unafraid to make a difficult change if something isn't working. We have already seen it with Albert Pujols and Joe Maddon. He could move Ohtani if he decides that the Angels need a long rebuild. The owner would have to approve the deal.
The record was 40 57.
The previous rank was 25.
Just in time to subtract from their roster at the trade deadline, the Cubs are getting hot. In its first series after the All-Star break, the Chicago Cubs swept the Philadelphia Phillies, with All-Stars Ian Happ and Willson Contreras doing their part. The two are likely to be traded by next week. The Cubs could make out better than they did last July when they traded Kris Bryant and other players.
The record was 40 58.
The previous rank was 24.
This might be as productive of a nonwinning season as you'll find, even though the Pirates aren't in the playoffs. The ultratalented Oneil Cruz is one of the players they've introduced. He has struggled at the plate, but the athletic gifts are amazing to behold. The only thing holding him back is experience.
The record was 39-54.
The previous rank was 28.
The breed is dying. It doesn't work. Jeff Passan explores the decline of the starting pitcher and what it means for baseball.
There is a story.
The city of Kansas City is undergoing change. The Royals are positioned to leverage their noncontention status into future value at the trade deadline, with players such as Merrifield and Benintendi attracting interest, but a good part of the lineup has been turned over to prospects. The Royals were able to feature four key hitting prospects in the same lineup for the first time because of Bobby Witt Jr.'s injury. The games were played in Toronto last Friday and Saturday. The Royals split those games with that quartet going 11-for-35. It is a beginning.
The record was 38-54.
The previous rank was 27.
The Reds scored 29 runs in their first four games after the All-Star break, with Jonathan India's first career grand slam. The Reds were one of the top hitting teams in the second half. The right hitters are doing well. The two trade candidates were just 3-for-16 in the second half.
The record was 40-54.
The previous rank was 26.
If not for a solid collective performance from manager A.J. Hinch'sReliever, this season in Detroit would be much worse. The Tigers were 22-23 in games decided by two runs or fewer, which isn't that exciting, but it's only that good because they lead the majors in saves percentage. With so many pitchers looking for relief help, you can expect GM Al Avila to get a lot of calls about them. The good news is that the rest of the season is not going to be very good for the Tigers.
The record was 38 63.
The previous rank was 30.
Montas is no longer on the injured list. He struck out five in three starts. Montas will be the most sought after player on the team's roster heading into the trade deadline, and his performance has the most impact on the future of this Oakland roster.
The record was 34-66.
The previous rank was 29
As the Nationals continue to sink to the worst record in the majors, only two questions remain: Will they trade Soto and what will they get for him? It's hard to say what a trade for a young hitter with more than two years of control would bring.
The only trade that remotely compares is the one between the Tigers and the Marlins, but even that trade came in the off-season with Cabrera. One of the most interesting blockbusters in a long time. Since his average went from.214 to.214 on June 24, he has an effective strike rate over 1.200.
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