RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesMLB power rankings: Where Dodgers, Red Sox and more rank after trade deadline splashes originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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Whether jockeying for position for the stretch run, for 2027 or simply long term, every team approached the MLB trade deadline with an objective.
Some contenders are undoubtedly better today than they were just a week ago. Others saw the deadline come and go with only marginal additions, leaving fans disappointed.
For some sellers, the deadline was an opportunity to restock on talent for the years ahead, but the benefits won't come this season.
Here's an updated look at where every team stands after a slew of activity ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
MORE: Recapping every trade made before MLB deadline
MLB power rankings 2026
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers were No. 1 before Skubal, they are No. 1 after Skubal and they might still be No. 1 if half their roster decided to take up professional water polo. The standings show there isn't a major gap between the Dodgers and the National League's other contenders, but last year's NLCS served as a reminder that the standings don't tell the full story. With a historic rotation and a lineup with very few vulnerabilities, the Dodgers are the clear favorites to win it all again.
2. Atlanta Braves
The Braves didn't make a Skubal-esque splash, sticking to quiet additions like Lane Thomas and Tyler Mahle, but they appear to be fully back on track after a sweep of the Nationals. Atlanta experienced a midseason offensive swoon, but the Braves are in position to compete for a bye to the NLDS with Drake Baldwin and Ronald Acuña Jr. back in their lineup. Whether this deadline haul was enough to keep pace is another question.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers didn't get Tarik Skubal, which limits their ceiling in October, but there's no doubt they are one of the best teams in baseball right now. With Jacob Misiorowski at the helm of the rotation, the bullpen firing on all cylinders again and a gritty cast of characters in the lineup, Milwaukee will be comfortably in the postseason. The question now is whether the Brewers can overcome the obvious talent gap between themselves and the Dodgers, and whether Misiorowski can continue to pitch at a high level into October.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays made a nice deal for Freddy Peralta without giving up too much. It's been a difficult year for Peralta, but his track record and the Rays' ability to get the most out of talented arms should make this the right fit. By acquiring Liam Hicks as well, the Rays filled a major hole in their lineup. Tampa Bay entered deadline day clinging to an AL East lead with the Yankees lingering and Red Sox charging, but the presence of a superstar bat in Junior Caminero, a strong rotation and the emergence of closer Bryan Baker will put this team comfortably into the postseason.
5. New York Yankees
The Yankees' offense is going to be flawed down the stretch, but adding Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos is a wise decision to put fundamentals aside for now and just focus on getting productive bats into the lineup. While Aaron Judge works toward a return, the Yankees can rely on an excellent rotation to keep setting the tone. Will that be enough to win the AL East? The Rays did well at the deadline and the Red Sox are still surging, so it will take all New York has.
MORE: Grading the Luis Garcia Jr. trade
6. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have battled rotation injuries from every direction of late, but the addition of Kevin Gausman could really pay off with his experience, durability and strong predictive metrics. Chicago also rounded out the edges with Clay Holmes, Ryan Zeferjahn, Braxton Garrett and Tyrone Taylor, What a streaky offense can do down the stretch will determine whether Chicago can give the Brewers a challenge in the NL Central. Can Pete Crow-Armstrong continue to play like an MVP? Is Alex Bregman's recent hot streak a mirage, or has he finally settled in on the north side?
7. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox entered deadline day coming off a sweep of the Dodgers, even after losing new acquisition Curtis Mead to a broken wrist. After upgrading at catcher with the inconsistent but still solid Adley Rutschman (nevermind the cost), Boston looks like it has a window to compete for an AL East title. Even more critical than anything Rutschman does will be the potential returns of Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet at some point in September or even October, as the Red Sox will need all hands on deck to make a deep run.
MORE: Grading the Adley Rutschman trade
8. Philadelphia Phillies
No one should be totally sure what to make of the Phillies, as they looked lost out of the All-Star break before winning their last two games ahead of the deadline. After trading for Luis Arraez on Monday, Philadelphia will shuffle around its infield and move Bryce Harper back to the outfield, making for an awkward defensive setup to go along with a lineup that revels in striking out. Arraez will help remedy that, at least, as the Phillies try to make what has again become an unlikely push for an NL East title.
10. San Diego Padres
Three consecutive wins over the Giants solidified the Padres as buyers. Not only did they hold onto Mason Miller, but they landed Robbie Ray and Casey Mize to bolster a rotation that simply needs to get the game to a standout bullpen. Whether the Padres can make the postseason will come down to their inconsistent offense, which has gotten much stronger play from Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr. Manny Machado and Ty France of late.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks have played some strong baseball since the All-Star break, even with Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte struggling to hit like they did last season. Gabriel Moreno is red hot, and Eduardo Rodriguez continues to turn back the clock. To hold onto...
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