MLB stars who could be moved before the trade deadline
Bob Nightengale and Pete Caldera weigh in on which stars will be dealt before the MLB trade deadline.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
The New York Yankees (49-17) and New York Mets (44-24) have the two best records in baseball and stayed in their spots atop USA TODAY Sports’ MLB power rankings.
The Yankees enter Monday on a 16-2 run, having their nine-game winning streak snapped by the Blue Jays on Sunday, and have an 11-game lead in the American League East.
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The Mets meanwhile, saw their NL East lead cut in half by the Braves’ 14-game winning streak, but have weathered the storm and enter Monday with a 5 ⅓-game cushion and the NL’s best record.
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ nine-person panel voted this week:
Rank (movement from last week)
1. New York Yankees (–)
- 49-17 record through 66 games is identical to 1998 Yankees.
2. New York Mets (–)
- MLB’s RBI leader Pete Alonso is getting MVP chants in Flushing.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)
- Four-game set vs. Padres provides a chance to seize NL West lead.
4. San Diego Padres (–)
- Manny Machado, in the midst of an MVP-type season, sprains ankle, but Padres said X-rays were negative.
5. Houston Astros (–)
- Hosting the Mets for a two-game series before a return to trip to Citi Field next week.
6. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- After a 14-game winning streak, Braves still find themselves facing a 5 ½- game deficit through Sunday
7. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)
- The Alek Manoah Cy Young Society is accepting new members.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)
- First place is on the line with a four-game set in Milwaukee.
9. San Francisco Giants (+1)
- Giants are in Atlanta for a four-game series starting Monday.
10. Tampa Bay Rays (-2)
- Returning to The Trop after a 2-7 road trip to Minnesota, Bronx and Baltimore.
11. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)
- Andrew McCutchen is hitting .395 with a 1.002 OPS in his last 12 games.
12. Boston Red Sox (+2)
- Boston went 13-4 to start June with a 2.77 team ERA.
13. Philadelphia Phillies (–)
- Bryce Harper hit .404 with a 1.242 OPS in his first 15 games of June.
14. Minnesota Twins (-3)
- Byron Buxton’s 1.250 OPS in June was the second-best in baseball through Sunday.
15. Cleveland Guardians (–)
- A 15-4 run has Cleveland pushing the Twins for first place.
16. Los Angeles Angels (–)
- Angels celebrating the 20th anniversary of World Series title with ceremonies this week.
17. Chicago White Sox (+1)
- Early 2021 hero Yermin Mercedes was claimed off waivers by the Giants.
18. Miami Marlins (-1)
- Sandy Alcantara is 5-0 with a 0.95 ERA in his last seven starts (56.2 innings).
19. Texas Rangers (–)
- Disappointed to have split a four-game series in Detroit after winning the first two.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)
- Buddy Kennedy hits grand slam vs. Twins for his first career home run.
21. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- Julio Rodriguez is only player in baseball with 15+ steals and 30 RBI.
22. Baltimore Orioles (+2)
- Adley Rustchman’s first big-league homer came in his 84th plate appearance.
23. Colorado Rockies (–)
- Nightmare on Blake Street: Rockies have won 9 straight against Padres at Coors Field.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-2)
- Jack Suwinski became the first rookie in history to have a three-HR game that included a walk-off blast.
25. Chicago Cubs (+1)
- It was the Cubs who ended the Braves’ 14-game winning streak
26. Detroit Tigers (-1)
- Top prospect Riley Greene reaches base four times in big-league debut.
27. Cincinnati Reds (+1)
- Brandon Drury has 30 hits (seven homers) and 23 runs in his last 25 games.
28. Kansas City Royals (+1)
- Reliever Scott Barlow has a 1.55 ERA and eight saves in 25 games.
29. Washington Nationals (-2)
- Juan Soto is hitting just .172 in his last 28 games but has 20 RBI in that stretch.
30. Oakland Athletics (–)
- Followed up a 10-game losing streak by losing five of their next seven.
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