Griff’s MLB Power Rankings – 12

August 5, 2023 ... Separation between haves and have nots begins now

A look at this week’s Power Rankings, post MLB Trade Deadline, shows the National League staying well ahead in inter-league play through Wednesday, at a surprising plus-18 games over the AL.

The six divisions and their combined 5-team standings based on won-lost outside their divisions (through Aug. 4) are as follows: 1-AL East +68 … 2-NL East +21 … 3-NL West +8 … 4-AL West Minus-10 5-NL Central minus-11 … 6-AL Central minus-76.  

Major League Baseball remains the most evenly balanced of major North American pro sports, from top-to-bottom of the standings. As such, Power Rankings can change quickly. How balanced? Through Thursday, there were just two teams with win-percentage over .600, four teams at or under the .400 mark and an amazing 24 teams in the middle range at .401-.600. Following the trade deadline there were clearly “white flags” waved in several markets and there should become more separation in win-percentage over the final two months.

Numbers in parentheses from Edition 11 power rankings. 

Griff’s Power Rankings – Edition 12

BUYERS (rated at 1-10)-SELLERS-NEUTRAL

1-Braves (1)

When you’re already the best, not many moves are needed. IN: LH Brad Hand; IF Nicky Lopez; RH Yonny Chirinos; RH Pierce Johnson + 1 MiL player … OUT: 4 MiL players … BUYERS-3

2-Orioles (2)

O’s realized a more veteran starter was necessary with their young guys reaching career highs in innings. IN: RH Jack Flaherty; RH Shintaro Fujinami + 1 MiL player … OUT: RH Eduard Bazaro + 3 MiL players … BUYERS-4

3-Rangers (4)

Scherzer and other deadline moves make Rangers ultra-dangerous. IN: RH Max Scherzer; LH Jordan Montgomery; RH Chris Stratton; LH Aroldis Chapman; C Austin Hedges; C Kevin Plawecki + 1 MiL Player … OUT: 4 MiL players … BUYERS-9

4-Rays (3)

The magic of the past decade-plus had to run out at some point. That point may be now. IN: RH Aaron Civale + 3 MiL player … OUT: 4 MiL players … BUYERS-3

5-Astros (6)

The rotation has been shaken via injury. Verlander is a mound and clubhouse move.  IN: RH Justin Verlander; RH Kendall Graveman … OUT: 3 MiL players … BUYERS-7

6-Dodgers (5)

The IL only hurts when you have no money to spend. The Dodgers always have money to spend.   IN: RH Lance Lynn; LH Ryan Yarbrough; SS Amed Rosario; UT Kike Hernandez; RH Joe Kelly; RH Ryan Brasier … OUT: RH Phil Bickford; LH Adam Kolarek + 8 MiL players. BUYERS-7

7-Phillies (9)

GM Dave Dombrowski is a deadline adrenaline junkie. Not so much this year, but Lorenzen helps. IN: IF Rodolfo Castro; RH Michael Lorenzen … OUT: 2B Josh Harrison; LH Andrew Vasquez + 2 MiL players … BUYERS-3  

8-Blue Jays (7)

Needed a reliever and a RH bat and unfortunately those specific moves were dictated by injury. IN: SS Paul DeJong; RH Jordan Hicks; LH Genesis Cabrera + 1 MiL player … OUT: RH Trent Thornton + 4 MiL players … BUYERS-5

9-Brewers (14)

Leadership and a little more offence were priorities. IN: LH Andrew Chafin; 1B Carlos Santana; OF Mark Canha + 2 MiL players… OUT: RH Pete Strzelecki + 5 MiL players … BUYERS-4

10-Giants (8)

These guys are right there for the post-season, but didn’t do much to advance their deadline cause. IN: OF A.J. Pollock + 2 MiL player … OUT: RH Mauricio Llovera + 1 MiL player … NEUTRAL

11-Reds (15)

When you are already young and talented, you don’t need to get much younger and more talented. IN: LH Sam Moll … OUT: 1 MiL player … NEUTRAL

12-Red Sox (12)

The Sox are building their future on Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers and rolling the dice. IN: RH Mauricio Llovera; Luis Urias + 3 MiL player … OUT: 3 MiL players … NEUTRAL

13-Marlins (10)

The offence was in need of help so they brought in Tier 2 lineup muscle and some bullpen help. IN: 3B Jake Burger; 1B Josh Bell; RH David Robertson; RH Jorge Lopez + 1 MiL player … OUT: 1B Garrett Cooper; SS Jean Segura + 5 MiL players … BUYERS-5

14-Diamondbacks (11)

The bullpen added depth, but Pham is not going to help. IN: OF Tommy Pham; 3B Jace Peterson; RH Paul Sewald; RH Peter Strzelecki + 1 MiL player … OUT: LH Andrew Chafin; DH Dom Canzone; 2B Josh Rojas + 3 MiL players … BUYERS-4

15-Yankees (13)

The Yankees are always a danger to dominate at the deadline, but, despite being perceived as buyers, struck out looking. IN: RH Keynan Middleton … OUT: RH Domingo German (restricted list) + 1 MiL player … BUYERS-0

16-Angels (18)

In a futile attempt to convince Shohei to stay beyond this year, GM Perry Minasian pushed all in. Not going to work. IN: 1B CJ Cron; OF Randal Grichuk; 3B Eduardo Escobar; RH Dom Leon; RH Lucas Giolito; RH Reynaldo Lopez … OUT: LH Tucker Davidson + 7 MiL players… BUYERS-7  

17-Twins (16)

A mediocre team in first place a bad division and they didn’t seem to feel pressure to be better. Sad.  IN: RH Dylan Floro … OUT: RH Jorge Lopez … NEUTRAL

18-Cubs (22)

Stroman remains a Cub, remains on the Il, meaning he will have to opt out in ‘24 to be happy. IN: RH Jose Cuas; IF Jeimer Candelario + 2 MiL players … OUT: UT Trey Mancini + 5 MiL players … BUYERS-2

19-Mariners (17)

After winning the wild-card series last year, the M’s have moon-walked back to mediocrity. IN: RH Trent Thornton; DH Dom Canzone; 2B Josh Rojas + 3 MiL players … OUT: 2 MiL player … NEUTRAL

20-Padres (19)

Sold out home stadium mean they can’t sell off talent, thus these Tier 2 deadline moves. IN: DH Ji Man Choi; OF Garrett Cooper; LH Rich Hill; RH Scott Barlow + 1 MiL player … OUT: 1B Alfonso Rivas; C Kevin Plawecki + 5 MiL players … BUYERS-6

21-Guardians (20)

Quietly disappointing team somehow feeling they can’t win a winnable division, so sellers.  IN: RH Noah Syndergaard + 2 MiL player … OUT: DH Josh Bell; IF Jean Segura; RH Aaron Civale; SS Amed Rosario … SELLERS

22-Mets (21)

Please put my hedge funds in someone else’s hands. IN: RH Phil Bickford; LH Adam Kolarek; OF Rafael Ortega; RH Trevor Gott; RH Reed Garrett + 8 MiL players … OUT: RH Max Scherzer; RH Justin Verlander; OF Tommy Pham; OF Mark Canha; RH Dom Leone; RH David Robertson … CELLARS

23-Pirates (23)

Jackrabbit start to the season but reality has reared its ugly head. IN: 1B Alfonso Rivas; SS Alika Williams RH Jack Flaherty; RH Shintaro Fujinami + 4 MiL players … OUT: IF Rodolfo Castro; 1B Ji Man Choi; 1B Carlos Santana; C Austin Hedges … SELLERS

24-Tigers (25)

Not as bad as people think looking ahead to 2024, so one starter gone is the only move. IN: 1 MiL player … OUT: RH Michael Lorenzen + 1 MiL player … SELLERS  

25-Cardinals (24)

The most shocking sell-off in recent years — next to Mets. Interesting to see how spoiled Cards fans handle a rebuild. IN: LH John King + 9 MiL players … OUT: RH Jack Flaherty; RH Jordan Hicks; LH Genesis Cabrera; RH Chris Stratton; LH Jordan Montgomery; SS Paul DeJong … SELLERS

26-Nationals (27)

The Nats are not the Expos but fans have seen this franchise’s ownership shrug off contending before. IN: LH Robert Garcia + 2 MiL players … OUT: OF Corey Dickerson; IF Jeimer Candelario … SELLERS

27-Rockies (28)

Pitchers don’t do well at Mile High conditions, so teams should target Rox relievers this winter.  IN: RH Chris Flexen + 4 MiL players … OUT: LH Brad Hand; 1B C.J. Cron; OF Randal Grichuk … SELLERS

28-White Sox (26)

RH Liam Hendriks having Tommy John, but the fact he even made it back from cancer leaves this season with a huge smile. IN: OF Jayce Thompson; RH Touki Toussaint + 8 MiL players … OUT: 3B Jake Burger; RH Lance Lynn; RH Joe Kelly; RH Keynan Middleton; RH Kendall Graveman; RH Lucas Giolito; RH Reynaldo Lopez … SELLERS

29-A’s (29)

To be true sellers you need to have something to sell. Current roster is laughable. IN: 3 MiL players … OUT: 3B Jace Peterson; LH Sam Moll; RH Shintaro Fujinami … SELLERS

30-Royals (30)

The young Royals players with talent remain, but unfortunately so do the young Royals players with lesser talent. IN: LH Cole Ragans; LH Tucker Davidson + 4 MiL players … OUT: RH Scott Barlow … NEUTRAL