MLB releases post-deadline power rankings

MLB.com’s first power rankings after the August 3 trade deadline landed on August 5 with a simple premise: the market is closed, the roster churn is done, and the stretch run is next. The Dodgers held the No. 1 spot in the new rankings after landing left-hander Tarik Skubal, while the Brewers, Rays, Braves, Cubs and Red Sox filled out the next five places. The rankings were published two days after the deadline passed at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, ending a rush of deals that MLB.com said included nearly 50 trades on deadline day alone. MLB.com’s separate post-deadline analysis said the “sprint to October will be heavily impacted” by moves ranging from Adley Rutschman and José Soriano to Skubal. (mlb.com) ### Why did the Dodgers stay on top? The Dodgers were ranked No. 1 because they were the contender that actually completed the Skubal trade after being linked to the market’s biggest arm. MLB.com’s Will Leitch wrote that the three top teams in the rankings had been in position to acquire Skubal, but “the Dodgers are the team that went out and did it.” (mlb.com) Tarik Skubal was listed by MLB.com as the top trade of the deadline after Los Angeles acquired the left-hander on Aug. 1. MLB.com said Detroit received outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-hander River Ryan and right-hander Brady Smith in return. ### Which clubs moved up just behind Los Angeles? The Brewers were ranked No. 2, with MLB.com pointing to their acquisition of Dustin May after Milwaukee missed on Skubal. (mlb.com) The Rays were No. 3 after adding Freddy Peralta, a move Leitch described as less costly in prospects than a Skubal deal. The Cubs climbed to No. 5 from No. 6 after adding Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes. (mlb.com) Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, said the front office made moves it felt would “honor” a team that had shown “resilience.” ### Why was Boston one of the most closely watched teams? The Red Sox were ranked No. 6 after acquiring catcher Adley Rutschman from Baltimore on Aug. 3, one of the deadline’s most prominent deals. (mlb.com) MLB.com said Boston also received catcher Jake Rogers and cash, while the Orioles got a package that included right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narváez and a player to be named later. Adley Rutschman was still on the injured list with left wrist inflammation when the trade was completed, MLB.com said, but that did not cool the market for the former No. 1 overall draft pick. In the rankings story, Leitch wrote that when Rutschman returns from the IL, he is “exactly what this Red Sox team needs. This year … and next year.” (mlb.com) ### Where does José Soriano fit into the deadline picture? José Soriano was one of the names MLB.com singled out in a separate August 5 piece on players who could benefit from a new team. MLB.com said the Blue Jays acquired the right-hander from the Angels for shortstop Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero. (mlb.com) Soriano carried a 3.29 ERA over 22 starts with a 24.9% strikeout rate at the time of that analysis, according to MLB.com. The outlet grouped his move with other deadline changes that could alter pennant races over the final two months. ### What comes next now that the rankings are out? August 5 was the publication date for both the rankings and MLB.com’s post-deadline movers analysis, but the next test is immediate game action. (mlb.com) MLB.com said Holmes is slated to make his Cubs debut in Kansas City this weekend, offering one of the first direct looks at how a contender’s deadline plans translate onto the field.