The non-waiver trade deadline has passed and the Toronto Blue Jays (12) and New York Mets (11) were the winners with upgrades that will have an impact on their races and the power rankings.
The Blue Jays shocked everyone with their trade that landed Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies (27). The Blue Jays already had the best offense in baseball and the addition of a power bat like Tulowitzki's at leadoff will only make them more dangerous.
The Blue Jays also addressed their pitching needs with a trade that brought David Price over from the Detroit Tigers (20). Price will be a much needed shot in the arm for a pitching staff that ranked 12th in the American League in team ERA.
The Blue Jays are just a 1/2 game out of the second wild card, and are hopeful that their trade deadline activity will put them back in the playoffs for the first time since Joe Carter's Game 6 home run off of Philadelphia Phillies closer Mitch Williams in the bottom of the ninth that clinched the 1993 World Series.
The Mets ran into drama in their pursuit of an outfielder. They had originally swung a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers (29) for Carlos Gomez. The deal fell through but the details of the trade, including the names of the Mets who were to be traded to Milwaukee, leaked on social media. Mets fans in the stands at Citi Field began saying goodbye to infielder Wilmer Flores, who had been part of the original deal. Flores broke down on the field after he thought he had been traded from the only organization he had ever played for.
The Mets did pull a trade off for their outfield bat the next day when they acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers. With the added bat in their lineup, the Mets went on a tear and swept the National League East leading Washington Nationals (10). As a result, the Mets have pulled to within percentage points of the lead in the division.
Who is on top? St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals once again lost outfielder Matt Holliday after he reinjured his right quad, an injury that cost him significant playing time in the first half. It's unclear if Holliday will return before next season.
The Cardinals acquired Brandon Moss from the Cleveland Indians (21) last week and it didn't take long for it to pay off. On Sunday Moss hit a walk-off single to defeat the Colorado Rockies 3-2. The Cardinals, who continue to posses the best record in baseball at 67-38, have won nine of 12.
Who is rising high? Houston Astros (4). The American League West leading Astros jumped four spots after a 5-1 week, that included a three-game sweep of second place Los Angeles Angels (9).
The Astros made a splash of their own at the trade deadline as they acquired left-hander Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A's (23) and outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Fiers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Astros are ahead of schedule in the rebuilding process and appear to have the pieces in place to win their first division title as a member of the AL West.
Who is sliding fast? Los Angeles Angels. The Angels dropped four spots after suffering through a 0-6 week. The Angels hopes of taking the AL West lead away from the Astros suffered a set back after they were swept in a three-game series in Houston.
The Angels rotation took a blow after it was announced that C.J. Wilson would undergo season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow.
Who is bringing up the rear? Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies may still be bringing up the rear at #30 but they have been hot since the All-Star break. The Phillies are 12-3 since the start of the second half and are quickly closing in on the 29th spot in the power rankings. Philadelphia may give their fans a little enjoyment as the season wraps up.
Rank | Change +/- | Team | Overall Record | Last Week |
1 | N/C | St. Louis Cardinals | 67-38 | 4-3 |
2 | +1 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 61-43 | 4-2 |
3 | -1 | Kansas City Royals | 62-42 | 3-4 |
4 | +4 | Houston Astros | 60-46 | 5-1 |
5 | +1 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 60-45 | 4-1 |
6 | -2 | New York Yankees | 59-45 | 4-3 |
7 | N/C | San Francisco Giants | 57-47 | 3-3 |
8 | +2 | Chicago Cubs | 57-47 | 6-1 |
9 | -4 | Los Angeles Angels | 55-49 | 0-6 |
10 | -1 | Washington Nationals | 54-49 | 2-4 |
11 | +2 | New York Mets | 55-50 | 4-2 |
12 | N/C | Toronto Blue Jays | 54-52 | 4-2 |
13 | +2 | Baltimore Orioles | 53-51 | 5-2 |
14 | N/C | Texas Rangers | 51-53 | 4-3 |
15 | -4 | Minnesota Twins | 54-50 | 2-4 |
16 | +1 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 50-53 | 4-2 |
17 | -1 | Tampa Bay Rays | 52-54 | 3-3 |
18 | +1 | San Diego Padres | 51-54 | 4-2 |
19 | +1 | Chicago White Sox | 50-53 | 4-3 |
20 | -2 | Detroit Tigers | 51-54 | 3-4 |
21 | +2 | Cleveland Indians | 48-56 | 3-4 |
22 | +4 | Cincinnati Reds | 47-56 | 4-3 |
23 | +1 | Oakland Athletics | 47-59 | 3-3 |
24 | -2 | Seattle Mariners | 48-58 | 2-5 |
25 | -4 | Atlanta Braves | 47-58 | 1-6 |
26 | -1 | Boston Red Sox | 47-59 | 3-4 |
27 | N/C | Colorado Rockies | 44-59 | 2-5 |
28 | +1 | Miami Marlins | 43-62 | 2-4 |
29 | -1 | Milwaukee Brewers | 44-62 | 1-6 |
30 | N/C | Philadelphia Phillies | 41-65 | 4-2 |