You can now take a breath: The Trade Deadline has passed. That means it’s time to get our bearings and prepare for the stretch run ahead … and see how all this roster upheaval ends up playing out.
Thus, it’s the perfect time for our first post-Deadline Power Rankings: Who’s up, who’s down, who’s set up for a postseason run … and who is maybe already looking to next year. Here’s how everybody’s Deadline went.
These rankings, as always, are compiled from MLB.com contributors whose names you can find at the bottom of this (and every) piece, but the words are mine. If you dislike the rankings, yell at all of us. But if you dislike the words, feel free to yell at me.
1. Dodgers (previously: 1)
It was very nifty that the three top teams in the Power Rankings are all serious World Series contenders and teams that were in position to acquire Tarik Skubal. The Dodgers are the team that went out and did it, though. The other two teams, after they missed out, responded accordingly with starting pitchers of their own. But as well all know: They’re all chasing the Dodgers.
2. Brewers (previously: 2)
The Brewers got a little guff from their fans for missing out on Skubal, but don’t sleep on the acquisition of Dustin May, whose stuff has been great this year. He has had moments of inconsistency, but also moments of dominance. He’ll be scary for whoever faces him in the postseason … if he’s healthy.
3. Rays (previously: 4)
The Rays felt like a logical spot for Skubal, but Freddy Peralta was obviously more affordable, prospect-wise, and was rather terrific himself, as recently as last season. If he can put his Mets tenure behind him, the Rays are your clear favorite for the top seed in the American League.
4. Braves (previously: 3)
For a team like the Braves -- in good playoff position but with plenty still to accomplish -- you would have thought they would have done a little bit more at the Deadline. But they believe they are in a good spot: "We didn't go into the Deadline with the thought that we have to get this or we have to get that,” president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said.
5. Cubs (previously: 6)
The Cubs’ rotation has barely kept its head above water this whole season, which is why the additions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes felt like more than just additions: They felt like rewards. “Certainly, the resilience this team has shown, I think, has been really special,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “I think we did things we felt like would honor that.”
6. Red Sox (previously: 7)
Whether or not Craig Breslow feels vindicated by how the Red Sox have come on in the last month-plus, it’s obvious this team is going all-in at this point: When he returns from the IL, Adley Rutschman is exactly what this Red Sox team needs. This year … and next year.
7. Yankees (previously: 5)
The Yankees added two big hitters -- including Luis García Jr., who was leading the NL in slugging when the Yankees acquired him -- but it was just as telling that they called up their top prospect, George Lombard Jr., the day after the Deadline. They want to fix this offense, and fix it now. If they can, imagine what it looks like when (or if?) Aaron Judge returns.
8. White Sox (previously: 9)
It’s amazing that the White Sox were already in a position to add at the Deadline -- remember, this team lost 102 games last year -- but here we are. It’s downright thrilling to see the Sox in this spot. They added, likely without a significant long-term cost. “So they have a lot of confidence,” general manager Chris Getz said. “We have confidence now, and just really look forward to how this plays out.”
9. Phillies (previously: 8)
Luis Arraez, obviously, makes this offense much better, like he would do for any offense. But it will be fascinating to see how this defensive realignment works out. You have to love how willing Bryce Harper is to make it work, though.
10. Diamondbacks (previously: 10)
Lars Nootbaar was an underrated last-minute Deadline addition, but is he enough to get the D-backs over the finish line? Of note: Remember that Max Kepler is ineligible for the postseason due to a suspension in January, which is another excellent reason to bring in Nootbaar.
11. Astros (previously: 17)
Yordan Alvarez may win the AL Triple Crown -- heck, he might win the MLB Triple Crown -- but he still needs help in the lineup. That’s why Daulton Varsho is here. The Mariners will surely make a charge at some point. Can the Astros hold them off?
12. Padres (previously: 20)
As usual, the Padres added at the Deadline. A.J. Preller always does seem to find a way. The pitching looks much better with Casey Mize and Robbie Ray, but it’s time for those veteran hitters to finally carry this team.
13. Guardians (previously: 13)
After years of the Guardians sometimes frustrating their fans with inactivity, they very much got after it this Deadline. Keep an eye out for Jo Adell, who, for all his struggles this year, still has more homers in 2026 than anyone else on the Guardians roster.
14. Pirates (previously: 12)
The Pirates are fully committed to winning this year, and their aggression in fixing their bullpen speaks to how much they think they’re a playoff team. It’s a shame they lost Ryan O’Hearn to the IL, but the Pirates are still in this to win this.
15. Mariners (previously: 16)
Even with how disappointing this season has been -- remember, this was many, many observers’ American League favorites -- the Mariners remain in the hunt and, theoretically, due for the run their fans have been waiting for. But will it actually happen?
16. Twins (previously: 21)
That the Twins have gone from where they were at the Deadline last year (trading away most of their bullpen) to where they are this year (adding bullpen pieces for the stretch run) is really quite remarkable. And very exciting, both for now and in the future.
17. Marlins (previously: 18)
The Marlins have been as streaky as any team in the sport: red-hot, then losing 12 in a row, and then getting hot again. Their Deadline was indicative of that confusion. The Marlins didn’t really commit in either direction, keeping their options open in the short and long term.
18. Rangers (previously: 11)
Two weeks ago, you might have thought the Rangers would be heavy buyers; by the Deadline, they were exploring trading Jacob deGrom (who opted to stay). A six-game losing streak entering Tuesday has thrown a wrench in things, but for what it’s worth: This team is hardly out of the playoff chase, even with that skid.
19. Tigers (previously: 19)
The Tigers got a great return for Tarik Skubal, but it still hurts to see a player of Skubal’s caliber go, especially when this team is still hanging around the AL playoff race. It’s not just Skubal either, as Casey Mize headed to San Diego as well. With that said, River Ryan (part of the Skubal package) could step capably into the Tigers’ rotation this year.
20. Cardinals (previously: 14)
The Cardinals benefited from their willingness to trade within the division, getting two terrific hitting prospects from the Brewers for Dustin May and JoJo Romero. Their poor July made their decision-making process easier, but the Cardinals still feel like a team very much worth watching over the last two months … particularly for what it will mean in the years moving forward.
21. Nationals (previously: 15)
The Nationals have had a fascinating season that fell off in July, which led to a fascinating Deadline. The future remains the focus. “Zooming out, what we're trying to thread the needle in doing is figure out a way to create this stable foundation over the long run while also giving ourselves a chance to win this year,” president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said. “I think it’s inherently tough to find those opportunities.”
22. Blue Jays (previously: 23)
The Jays were technically sellers at the Deadline, but they also brought in José Soriano, who has two more seasons of club control remaining and was probably the best non-rental to change teams. Even if this season is not going to work out -- and it’s not over yet -- the Jays are still very much planning on doing everything they can do get back to the World Series soon.
23. Orioles (previously: 22)
It was obviously an emotional Deadline for the Orioles and their fans, who said goodbye to Adley Rutschman, the man who once represented the future of the whole franchise. They got back plenty in all their trades, but still: This is all feeling like a pretty dramatic transition, and an undeniable step backward.
24. Reds (previously: 24)
The Reds didn’t take too powerful of a lesson from this disappointing season: Their core is still intact moving forward. And you never know: Maybe they’ve got one more run left in them this year? The team seems to think so: “Obviously, we’ve played really well over the course of the last few weeks," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said.
25. Mets (previously: 25)
The Mets brought in a full dozen prospects for a farm system that already wasn’t bad: The reset is clearly in motion now, even with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette still here. The Mets will just be happy to turn the page on this season.
26. Giants (previously: 27)
This year has been a mess, of course, but there were smart moves at the Deadline, and it will be fun to see if the Giants can figure out how to get the most out of Marcelo Mayer, who never put it together in Boston. But there are many young players coming in who could be a part of the Giants’ future … perhaps their immediate future.
27. A’s (previously: 26)
Injuries and pitching issues derailed those early hopes of contending, but the lineup pieces that got everyone excited about the A’s remain moving forward. The team’s mostly inactive Deadline was a sign the future is still seen to be bright here.
28. Royals (previously: 28)
The Royals were one of the quieter teams at the Deadline, but they weren’t ready to start over in a way that some had wondered. This is still a team that plans on competing, and as long as they have a player like Bobby Witt Jr. at their center, you can see why.
29. Rockies (previously: 29)
The Rockies have been a little bit better this year, and it’s a good sign that they kept the players they had team control of and extended Mickey Moniak. The Rockies are laying a foundation, and some roster continuity is at the very least a start.
30. Angels (previously: 30)
Sure, the Angels are last, but there is at last some clear direction for the Angels, with interim (??) general manager John Mozeliak making some of the more heralded moves at the Deadline. There’s a long way to go, but for the first time in a while, there is real reason for optimism in Anaheim.
Voters: Mark Feinsand, Jason Foster, Rick Gold Jr., Jared Greenspan, Will Leitch, Brent Maguire, Travis Miller, Brian Murphy, Arturo Pardavila, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru, Andrew Simon, Ismail Soyugenc, David Venn, Zac Vierra.