Post-Trade Deadline MLB Power Rankings: Mets and Padres Surge After Busy Week

Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

It was a wild MLB trade deadline as several stars changed teams, some in shocking fashion. The San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies were among the biggest deadline winners while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers surprisingly didn’t make a splash.

Here’s how the MLB Power Rankings shake out following the trade deadline.

  1. New York Mets( OG. 1 )
  2. Milwaukee Brewers( OG. 2 )
  3. Chicago Cubs( OG. 3 )
  4. Los Angeles Dodgers( OG. 4 )
  5. Toronto Blue Jays( OG. 5 )
  6. Philadelphia Phillies( OG. 6 )
  7. Detroit Tigers( OG. 7 )
  8. San Diego Padres( OG. 8 )
  9. Houston Astros( OG. 9 )
  10. New York Yankees( OG. 10 )
  11. Seattle Mariners( OG. 11 )
  12. Boston Red Sox( OG. 12 )
  13. Cincinnati Reds( OG. 13 )
  14. Texas Rangers( OG. 14 )
  15. Tampa Bay Rays( OG. 15 )
  16. St. Louis Cardinals( OG. 16 )
  17. San Francisco Giants( OG. 17 )
  18. Kansas City Royals( OG. 18 )
  19. Cleveland Guardians( OG. 19 )
  20. Arizona Diamondbacks( OG. 20 )
  21. Los Angeles Angels( OG. 21 )
  22. Miami Marlins( OG. 22 )
  23. Baltimore Orioles( OG. 23 )
  24. Minnesota Twins( OG. 24 )
  25. Atlanta Braves( OG. 25 )
  26. Athletics( OG. 26 )
  27. Pittsburgh Pirates( OG. 27 )
  28. Washington Nationals( OG. 28 )
  29. Chicago White Sox( OG. 29 )
  30. Colorado Rockies( OG. 30 )

1. New York Mets (Previously: 8)

The Mets significantly upgraded an already strong bullpen, adding relievers Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley ahead of the deadline, while also fixing their offensive void in center field by trading for Cedric Mullins. The National League East leaders will be an incredibly dangerous team come October with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso leading the way.

2. Milwaukee Brewers (Previously: 6)

The Milwaukee Brewers boast the best record in baseball heading into Friday night’s game against the Washington Nationals. They have a superb pitching staff led by rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski that can carry them to the World Series. However, they didn’t add an impact bat at the deadline while Eugenio Suarez was available. That could come back to bite them with an offense tied for 17th in OPS (.712).

3. Chicago Cubs (Previously: 2)

The Cubs are right on Milwaukee’s heels after the Brewers overtook them for the National League Central lead. They made several moves at the trade deadline: acquiring starter Michael Soroka, relievers Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers, and super-utilityman Willi Castro. But Soroka and his 4.87 ERA wasn’t the pitcher who can upgrade Chicago’s rotation to World Series-caliber.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previously: 4)

The Dodgers were incredibly aggressive last offseason, but they took a passive approach this trade deadline. They brought in reliever Brock Stewart and outfielder Alex Call while trading away starting pitcher Dustin May and outfielder James Outman. It wasn’t the trade deadline many expected from the Dodgers as top-tier relievers like Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran and Ryan Helsley went to National League rivals. Los Angeles is counting on their pitching staff to get fully healthy ahead of October as they defend their World Series title.

5. Toronto Blue Jays (Previously: 5)

The Toronto Blue Jays overtook the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East after going 18-8 in July. Currently holding a 3.5-game lead for first place, it was the perfect time to make a big splash at the trade deadline. Instead, they added middle relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Louie Varland and took a flier on starting pitcher Shane Bieber, who is currently on a rehab assignment in the minors after missing most of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.

6. Philadelphia Phillies (Previously: 7)

The Philadelphia Phillies had two main objectives at the trade deadline — acquire a high-leverage reliever with swing-and-miss stuff and a right-handed outfield bat. They accomplished both. The Phillies traded for one of the best relievers on the market in Jhoan Duran and have him through 2027 while also adding center fielder Harrison Bader, who has 12 home runs on the season and plays excellent defense.

7. Detroit Tigers (Previously: 1)

The Detroit Tigers have taken a tumble in the power rankings after losing 12 of 13 before righting the ship somewhat and winning their last four games. They still hold a commanding nine-game lead in the American League Central, and added seven new arms at the trade deadline: starters Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton and relievers Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald, Rafael Montero, Randy Dobnak and Codi Heuer. But they failed to add an impact bat and a high-leverage reliever that they needed. Their new pitchers are essentially depth pieces.

8. San Diego Padres (Previously: 12)

The Padres went all-in at the deadline, adding elite closer Mason Miller, All-Star slugger Ryan O’Hearn, starting pitchers J.P. Sears and Nestor Cortes, outfielder Ramon Laureano, infielder Will Wagner and catcher Freddy Fermin. They also kept ace Dylan Cease and two-time All-Star reliever Robert Suarez. They’re looking to topple the Dodgers and make a deep postseason run.

9. Houston Astros (Previously: 3)

The Houston Astros made one of the most shocking trade deadline deals in recent memory, reuniting with Carlos Correa, who will be playing third base as Isaac Paredes could be out for the season with a severe hamstring injury. Correa returns to Houston where he spent the first seven seasons of his career, made two All-Star teams and was part of the scandal-plagued 2017 World Series championship team. Correa was never the same player with the Minnesota Twins due to injuries, but the Astros are hoping he finds the fountain of youth. The Astros also acquired outfielder Jesus Sanchez and infielder Ramon Urias.

10. New York Yankees (Previously: 10)

The Yankees didn’t stand idly by at the trade deadline, revamping a bullpen that ranks 20th in ERA (4.19). They brought in two-time All-Star closer David Bednar and relievers Jake Bird and Camilo Doval, a former All-Star himself. They addressed their third base issue, acquiring slick-fielding Ryan McMahon, who is under contract through 2027. He’s never had a full season where his OPS+ finished above 100 — which is league average — but he has five seasons with at least 20 home runs.