MLB Power Rankings: Cubs & Marlins Fighting for Top 5, Red Sox Stay in Top 10

With the MLB trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to the final two months of the regular season. Monday's flurry of deals reshaped rosters across the league, strengthening World Series contenders while rebuilding clubs added talent for the future. As those moves begin to take effect, the gap between baseball's true contenders and pretenders could become much more apparent.

Third-order wins continue to provide valuable context when evaluating each team. Based on Clay Davenport's adjusted standings, the metric looks beyond a club's actual record by factoring in run differential, strength of schedule, and ballpark effects. It offers another way to determine how teams have truly performed and whether their records accurately reflect their level of play.

These Power Rankings emphasize sustainable performance over short-term results. The arrows show which teams are rising, falling, or holding steady as the stretch run begins. With most contenders making their deadline additions and sellers turning toward the future, the coming weeks will reveal which clubs are built for a deep postseason run and which ones are already looking ahead to 2027.

1. Dodgers — 71.2-40.7 (.636)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Dodgers acquired arguably the trade deadline’s biggest prize, two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Now, they push for their third straight World Series.

2. Brewers — 69.7-41.2 (.628)

Biggest Weekly Storyline: Milwaukee was rumored to be in multiple trade conversations for some bigger names. In the end, the Brewers added a trio of pitchers (Antonio Senzatela, Dustin May, and JoJo Romero) at the deadline. 

3. Yankees — 65.7-46.2 (.587)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Yankees surprised some by only adding to their lineup at the deadline. Luis García Jr. and Heliot Ramos can help with injuries to other outfielders. 

4. Rays — 64.0-46.9 (.577)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Rays are hoping to work some magic after acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets. They also added Liam Hicks to bolster their catching group.

5. Marlins — 63.4-49.5 (.562) ⬆️ 

Biggest Weekly Storyline:  On the edge of contention, Miami traded Braxton Garrett and Liam Hicks for five prospects. Neither player fit into the team’s long-term plans, especially with Joe Mack poised to be Miami’s primary catcher. 

6. Cubs — 62.3-49.6 (.557) ⬆️ 

Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs went big by adding Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Zeferjahn, and Tyrone Taylor. It will be tough to catch the Brewers in the NL Central, but Chicago is better set up for October.

7. Tigers — 61.4-50.5 (.549)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Tigers retreated from the playoff hunt by dealing their top two starting pitchers, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.

8. Pirates — 62.0-51.0 (.549) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Pirates acquired Luke Weaver, arguably the best reliever traded at the deadline. In 44 innings, he owns a 1.84 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 45 strikeouts.

9. Braves — 61.0-51.0 (.545) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Atlanta sits 22 games above .500 and could have made a trade deadline splash. Instead, the Braves added Tyler Mahle, Lane Thomas, Bailey Falter, Brent Suter and Tyler Uberstine. 

10. Red Sox — 59.8-51.1 (.539) ⬇️

Biggest Weekly Storyline: Boston shocked the baseball world by giving up a huge prospect package for Adley Rutschman. Now the Red Sox need to continue their strong momentum from recent weeks. 

11. White Sox — 56.4-54.5 (.509) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The White Sox are a surprise at the top of the AL Central and acted like a team trying to win. Luis Castillo, Joey Bart, Brenton Doyle, and Huascar Brazoban could be enough to win a bad division. 

12. Nationals — 57.5-55.5 (.509) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Washington has fallen back in the Wild Card race, leading to them being sellers. Luis Garcia Jr. and Foster Griffin were their biggest departures. 

13. Mariners — 56.6-56.4 (.501) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Seattle tried to walk the buyer and seller line. They acquired outfielder Taylor Ward, while trading away starting pitcher Luis Castillo. 

14. Guardians — 55.3-57.7 (.489) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cleveland added three big pieces at the deadline in starter Foster Griffin, outfielder Jo Adell, and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The Guardians want a third straight AL Central crown. 

15. Rangers — 54.4-57.6 (.486) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Rangers claimed to be open for business, but nothing major materialized. Texas added lefty Adam Macko as their only move in a very winnable AL West.

16. Giants — 54.2-57.8 (.484) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Giants traded away some of the biggest names of the deadline, including Luis Arraez, Robbie Ray, and Tyler Mahle. However, they netted Marcelo Mayer from Boston as a buy-low candidate. 

17. Phillies — 53.8-58.2 (.480) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Phillies added Luis Arraez to their infield picture, which forces Bryce Harper to move back to right field. 

18. Orioles — 53.5-58.5 (.478) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Baltimore got a huge prospect package in the Rutschman deal, but it has left a bad taste for Orioles fans. He was the first overall pick in 2019, and the Orioles never won a playoff game during his tenure.  

19. Padres — 53.4-58.6 (.477) ⬆️ 

Biggest Weekly Storyline: A.J. Preller always seems to find a way to make some trade deadline noise. San Diego added Casey Mize and Robbie Ray in a move to bolster their rotation.

20. Diamondbacks — 53.3-58.7 (.476) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Arizona added outfield Lars Nootbaar, who is under team control through 2027. He helps to fit into an outfield that has dealt with multiple injuries. 

21. Blue Jays — 53.1-58.9 (.474)⬇️

Biggest Weekly Storyline: Toronto had a wild deadline. They traded away Kevin Gausman, Jeff Hoffman, and Daulton Varsho. However, they also added Jose Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti to bolster their rotation.

22. Cardinals — 52.3-59.7 (.467) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: St. Louis traded Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Lars Nootbar as the Cardinals continue to rebuild. 

23. Astros — 52.7-60.3 (.466) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Houston added Daulton Varsho, a left-handed outfielder, who filled one of the club’s biggest needs. 

24. Mets — 52.3-60.7 (.463) ⬆️

Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mets traded almost one-third of their active roster ahead of the trade deadline. Their biggest pickup was top-100 prospect Jefferson Rojas from the Cubs. 

25. Twins — 51.5-61.5 (.456) ⬇️

Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Twins did what they needed to at the deadline by adding two relievers (A.J. Minter, Jeff Hoffman) and a back-end starter (Dean Kremer). Will it be enough for a below .500 team?

26. Angels — 50.5-61.6 (.451) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Angels traded almost everything and added eight prospects to one of baseball’s worst farm systems. It’s rebuilding time in Los Angeles.

27. Reds — 48.7-62.3 (.439)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Reds stayed fairly quiet at the deadline, despite having seven players with expiring contracts. Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson were their only moves. 

28. Royals — 47.4-65.7 (.419)
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Lefty Kris Bubic was sent to the Dodgers as Kansas City stayed relatively quiet at the deadline.   

29. Rockies — 42.8-69.3 (.382) ⬆️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mickey Moniak agreed to a two-year, $16.25 million contract extension through 2028. He was rumored to be a trade candidate, but now stays in Denver. 

30. Athletics — 41.7-70.4 (.372) ⬇️
Biggest Weekly Storyline: Two key players are dealing with injury concerns. Jacob Wilson is dealing with patellar tendinitis, and Nick Kurtz has to see a hand specialist for his right thumb issues. 

What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Looking for a comprehensive list of trade candidates at the MLB trade deadline? Check out our list, now at 40+ players, and updated (near) daily!