Current:Home > Contact-usMLB power rankings: Padres and Cubs getting hot probably ruined the trade deadline-LoTradeCoin
MLB power rankings: Padres and Cubs getting hot probably ruined the trade deadline
View Date:2024-12-23 19:56:21
If they do nothing more, the San Diego Padres at least know their legacy will be ruining the 2023 trade deadline.
"I don't think I'm going anywhere," lefty Blake Snell said Sunday, and he's probably right. Snell's five innings of nearly flawless pitching helped San Diego complete a sweep of the Texas Rangers, who have led the American League West almost the entire year.
And it was probably enough to keep the Padres together.
They and the Chicago Cubs are the worst thing to happen to trade-hungry clubs after recent hot streaks (Padres, eight wins in 12 games, Cubs eight wins in a row) likely were enough to convince their respective front offices not to blow their squads up.
That means no Snell, no Josh Hader, no Cody Bellinger, no Marcus Stroman. Just some faint hopes for the Padres (52-54) and Cubs (53-52), who are within five and four games of a playoff berth, respectively.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
Oh, and they've both cracked the top 20 of USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. That comes with nothing but glory in these pages - though at least their fans can enjoy their favorite stars just a bit longer.
A look at this week's rankings:
1. Atlanta Braves (-)
- Matt Olson has 35 home runs and Ronald Acuña Jr. has 51 stolen bases. It is not yet August.
2. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- GM Mike Elias says he won't hug his prospects. Not even if he trades them?
3. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- Can bury Yankees this week.
4. Texas Rangers (+1)
- Wise to strike early for Jordan Montgomery, acquired for a less than prohibitive price.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- Low key pressure on Lance Lynn to gobble innings that the kids can't.
6. Houston Astros (-)
- A 6 ½-game deficit has been trimmed to one.
7. Toronto Blue Jays (-)
- Best team in the AL since late May just added flamethrowing Jordan Hicks.
8. Cincinnati Reds (+1)
- Gonna be playing leapfrog with the team below for the next two months.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
- Swept at Atlanta, but they're not the first to meet that fate.
10. San Francisco Giants (+1)
- It's like runners in scoring position are allergic to home plate.
11. Boston Red Sox (+4)
- Hardest team to figure out these last two months.
12. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
- Might regret two ragged losses at Pittsburgh come October.
13. New York Yankees (-1)
- Can they play Aaron Judge in both right and left field?
14. Miami Marlins (-)
- Scratching and clawing to stay in the race - and help (David Robertson) has already arrived.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (-5)
- Top prospect Brandon Pfaadt is back, and they need him to be better than his first go-round (8.81 ERA).
16. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Just can't catch a break: Taylor Ward suffers facial fracture two days after acquiring Lucas Giolito.
17. Seattle Mariners (+1)
- Only guarantee about Jerry Dipoto at the deadline is it's gonna get weird.
18. San Diego Padres (+1)
- As we all anticipated, Gary Sanchez with more home runs (12) than Xander Bogaerts (11).
19. Minnesota Twins (-2)
- Losing a series to Royals epitomizes inability to build a cushion.
20. Chicago Cubs (+1)
- Big reason for hot streak? Jameson Taillon has a 1.78 ERA in last four starts (6.93 in previous 14).
21. Cleveland Guardians (-1)
- Just....kinda...hangin' around.
22. New York Mets (-)
- We shall see if Justin Verlander buys into their 2024 vision more than Max Scherzer did.
23. Detroit Tigers (-)
- Most intriguing deadline team in the bottom third.
24. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
- John Mozeliak ripped that Band-Aid off and tore down the roster like he'd been doing it for years.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Kind of a bad sign that they're both way out of the race and also have little to offer in trade.
26. Washington Nationals (-)
- Jeimar Candelario's .823 OPS just sitting there for the highest bidder.
27. Chicago White Sox (-)
- How many more times does Rick Hahn get to go back to the drawing board?
28. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Strangely enough, 16-13 in one-run games.
29. Kansas City Royals (-)
- Ryan Yarbrough with a nice showcase start (seven innings, one run) right before deadline.
30. Oakland Athletics (-)
- The record: 30-77. The run differential: Minus-255. Number of useless artists' renderings of Las Vegas stadium: One.
veryGood! (69)
Related
- Man killed by police in Minnesota was being sought in death of his pregnant wife
- Lizzo lawsuit: Singer sued by dancers for 'demoralizing' weight shaming, sexual harassment
- If I'm invited to a destination wedding, am I obliged to attend?
- Uber is soaring. Could it become a trillion-dollar stock?
- Will Aaron Rodgers retire? Jets QB tells reporters he plans to play in 2025
- Royal Caribbean cruise passenger goes overboard on Spectrum of the Seas ship
- Watch: Georgia sheriff escorts daughter of fallen deputy to first day of kindergarten
- Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers accused of betting on school's sports, including football
- Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's Son Moses Martin Reveals His Singing Talents at Concert
- Potential witness in alleged Missouri kidnapping, rape case found dead
Ranking
- Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift
- Amazon may have met its match in the grocery aisles
- Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 right now and save up to $300 via trade-in
- Jamie Foxx Shares How Courageous Sister Deidra Dixon Saved His Life in Birthday Message
- Pitchfork Music Festival to find new home after ending 19-year run in Chicago
- Striking writers, studios to meet this week to discuss restarting negotiations
- James Larkin, Arizona executive who faced charges of aiding prostitution, dead at 74
- Former USMNT and current Revolution head coach Bruce Arena put on administrative leave
Recommendation
-
Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
-
NASA launch live stream: Watch Antares rocket take off for International Space Station
-
Ukraine's nightlife is thriving despite Russia's war, even where it has had to rise from the ashes
-
Multiple dogs euthanized in Alabama after fatally attacking 27-year-old man
-
What are the best financial advising companies? Help USA TODAY rank the top U.S. firms
-
BNSF train engineers offered paid sick time and better schedules in new deal
-
Trump indicted by grand jury in special counsel Jack Smith's Jan. 6 investigation
-
Glow All Summer Long With Sofia Richie Grainge’s Quick Makeup Hacks To Beat the Heat