MLB Power Rankings of the biggest need each club over .500 will need to win a World Series.
If your team made this week's MLB Power Rankings, it's a good sign. Unlike last week when the teams below .500 were profiled, this week puts a focus on those with a winning record and what their biggest trade deadline need currently is.
As it turns out, many of the best teams in baseball have the same roster hole(s). It could make for a fascinating trade deadline as they try to outbid each other from the clubs who've already decided to wave the white flag.
What could your winning ball club use most?
14) MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays need starting pitcher reinforcements
The Toronto Blue Jays may forever be one of those ball clubs that always looks good on paper, performs well in the regular season, and fails to get it done in the playoffs. The current group and the previous one headlined by Jose Bautista a few years ago never could quite make it far enough. Their needs aren't plentiful. What they could definitely use is another starting pitcher.
The poor performance and subsequent demotion of Alek Manoah has taken away what was believed to be a potential ace of this year's staff. They still have Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt. Their biggest trade deadline need isn't incredibly pressing compared to some others. They do have three pitchers earning the trust of the fans this year. Other than simply adding a better player anywhere, there isn't a whole lot more for them to do.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays need high-leverage bullpen arms
As dominant as they've been, the Tampa Bay Rays could use some bullpen arms. It's hard to really understand how this roster is built and be able to predict how things will go. Closer Jason Adam has pitched well in relief. So have a few other arms. Unfortunately, the constant moving of arms up and down from the minor leagues hasn't worked out with guys like Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson struggling.
The Rays should do things a little more traditionally as the trade deadline approaches. Relying on the mystery of what a pitcher who has been at Triple-A for a few weeks can give them down the stretch comes with a risk. The Rays should be in the market to improve the one weakness they have: the bullpen. Bet on them making a couple of savvy and smart moves. It's what they do.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves need a middle of the rotation starter or better
Starting pitching is always a need at the trade deadline, ain't it? The Atlanta Braves could definitely use at least one arm for the middle of the rotation. Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton, and Bryce Elder have been trustworthy. With Max Fried and Kyle Wright on the 60-day IL and Mike Soroka struggling in his pair of starts, the Atlanta rotation is up in the air.
As they always seem to do, the Braves have been trying out new arms as well. Jared Shuster hasn't proven himself just yet. A middle of the rotation starter or better is something fans would like to see to give them a little more faith this won't be another year of getting bounced out in the first playoff series they play.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros need a first base upgrade
How big of a first base upgrade will the Houston Astros make? For sure, they can't continue with Jose Abreu, right? His increasingly declining bat has been a real drag on the offense. He's definitely the biggest hole, especially when we consider the position he plays and how much production is expected from the average player at this position.
The Astros would benefit most from maybe adding a player capable of doing more than first base. Abreu isn't getting cut loose just yet, but moving him into a platoon could be something to consider. Other than Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez, this is a team without any other lefties. Houston might want to get creative to tackle this trade deadline need of theirs.
10) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers need healthy pitchers of all kinds
The Los Angeles Dodgers would benefit from adding to their pitching staff. Yes, they might want to look at upgrading the shortstop. But you can get to the World Series getting very little offense from this position as long as other players are performing at the plate. If you don't have healthy pitchers, you're not going anywhere.
The Dodgers have already placed Dustin May on the 60-day IL after 9 starts and mercifully placed Noah Syndergaard on the 15-day IL after a dozen outings of getting mostly lit up. Bobby Miller might be able to provide them with the innings they need from the starters, but they're going to need a whole lot more. Thank goodness for Clayton Kershaw and his invincibility at ever slowing down. Where would this team be without him?
9) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks need a complete starting rotation
After Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, what is there in the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation? Yes, it does seem like a lot of these teams on the lower side of the MLB Power Rankings need pitching. Too bad the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals don't have much to offer them.
The one missing piece for the Diamondbacks might be that significant number three starter. It should have been Madison Bumgarner who, by the way, is two years younger than Clayton Kershaw and completely cooked. The Diamondbacks have a talented farm system and the tools to make a blockbuster trade happen. Maybe they even steal away someone the Los Angeles Dodgers desire.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers need someone who hits for average
The Milwaukee Brewers could use pitching like everyone else, but it's not their biggest trade deadline need. This team continues to be one relying on their starting staff, bullpen, and the occasional home run. Rowdy Tellez and Willy Adames might have some nice pop. They'll smash 25 home runs and do it all with a .220 batting average and a .300 OBP if we're lucky.
The Brewers should be in search of something a little different. An available player who can get on base and do it by hitting for a high batting average would be perfect for them. Where were they when the Minnesota Twins were shopping Luis Arraez last offseason? He would have been perfect for this ball club.
7) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants need the best available bat on the trade block
It's easy to see what the San Francisco Giants need and what their front office will also desire. Having missed out on Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa in the offseason, the need for the best available bat is there. The problem for San Francisco is they play in a division with two much better teams. Is it worth trading away potential future stars for a slim shot to win this year?
The Giants might be over .500 but they could just as easily fall back below the mark this week. Their offseason aim changed from beginning the rebuild into becoming a destination for potential summer trade chips such as Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger. The Giants can be pests this season. Without at least one major addition to the lineup, it's all they can become.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles need a legitimate ace
Years of losing have finally ended for the Baltimore Orioles. They're one of the best teams in baseball and they're doing it mostly with the offense. The pitching hasn't been atrocious, though. Felix Bautista is one of the best closers in the game. Kyle Gibson has shown he has plenty left to offer. It'll be tough to put too much faith in this starting staff without snagging at least one legitimate ace at the trade deadline.
The Orioles certainly have the trade chips to make it happen. Whether it's a rental or someone with some team control, the Orioles need to make a move. It shouldn't have to cost them the entire farm. After all, many of those best pieces are already in the majors. The Orioles can't let this opportunity pass them by.
5) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates need an even more legitimate ace than whatever the Baltimore Orioles get
The Pittsburgh Pirates could actually use quite a lot. The lineup is nothing special nor is the pitching staff. How they've managed to get this far with a winning record is a bit of a surprise. While they could definitely use a big bat in the lineup, there isn't anywhere other than catcher to really make a big change. Jason Delay has handled the spot well and been a much better offensive weapon than Austin Hedges.
An even more legitimate ace for their pitching staff is what they could use more than anything else. Mitch Keller can't do it all on his own. Rich Hill's experience can only carry them so far. If the Pirates are going to win the NL Central, a big upgrade to the starting staff is an absolute must.
4) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins need a power hitter
One of the league's more surprising teams over .500, the Miami Marlins have one of the more obvious needs. Scratch that. They have three of the more obvious needs. Three power hitters is what they could really use to make the most of Luis Arraez and his quest to hit .400.
Other than Jorge Soler, the Marlins don't offer much in terms of the four-base hit. They're actually not such a ridiculously bad offensive ball clubs with their biggest hole being at third base. While they won't convince the San Diego Padres to dump Manny Machado shortly after signing his contract extension, maybe a guy like Eugenio Suarez of the Seattle Mariners can become available.
3) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees need a No. 2 behind Gerrit Cole
Actually, the New York Yankees could use a lot more than just a No. 2 behind Gerrit Cole. Their lineup has some major holes. There is room for multiple upgrades. With zero trust built in right now from Carlos Rodon since he hasn't pitched a game for them yet, the Yankees are working with a tattered rotation with guys like Nestor Cortes underperforming early on. He's now on the IL anyway and will have to wait to prove last season was no fluke.
Recent falls for the Yankees in the postseason have been due to a poor offensive showing. The Yankees could certainly use another bat, however, the offense seems good enough. Rather than try to end their World Series drought with a bunch of 10-9 victories, the Yankees should think about out-pitching the opponent. Cole and another ace back-to-back is the most effective way to get it done. The good thing is some of those less effective pitchers could be sent elsewhere in a separate trade for a bat upgrade, too.
2) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers need bullpen help
The Texas Rangers can outhit anyone. Their starting pitching staff, even sans Jacob deGrom, is one of the most dangerous out there. What could this team possibly use? It's where most teams will be searching for upgrades. The Rangers bullpen has been one of the small number of troublesome areas for them.
Building an effective bullpen isn't the easiest task to complete. Competition at the trade deadline is at its highest. The Rangers will have to part with some good prospects if they really want to make a difference. Frankly, it's worth it. They've paid so much money into this year's team and their terrific start should have them going all in to bring the first ever World Series Championship to Arlington.
1) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels need a starting rotation deeper than Shohei Ohtani
The Los Angeles Angels finished last year with a surprisingly promising rotation. Many guys stepped up and the offseason addition of Tyler Anderson looked like it could help bolster them. Unfortunately, the Angels haven't gotten much out of their starting pitchers aside from Shohei Ohtani. It's difficult to imagine them actually competing for a playoff spot all season with the current group they have in place.
The Angels are in one of baseball's strangest purgatories. They have the star, Ohtani, only months away from hitting the open market and fleeing somewhere else. A lost cause season would give them every reason to trade him. However, they look like they could be one of the potential wild card teams this season. It's only going to happen if they give Ohtani some protection in the rotation. While they're at it, add a little more in the lineup, too.
