Deadline deals shake up Power Rankings

Welcome to MLB Power Rankings, Trade Deadline edition.

While it’s impossible to discern which trade of the flurry of deals made in advance of the Aug. 1 Deadline will have the biggest impact down the stretch and into October, there is one common theme among baseball’s best teams: they all made significant moves to improve, addressing weaknesses by adding to key positions. The cost — in the form of a ton of elite prospects — was high. Worth it? Stay tuned.

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Biggest jump: The Blue Jays (10 to 6) and Rockies (20 to 16) both moved up four spots. Since we haven’t given a lot of love to the Rockies in prior Power Rankings, let’s do it here. The Rox found themselves in a delightful position at the Trade Deadline — within striking distance of the second Wild Card. They’re hovering around the .500 mark and while a playoff berth won’t be easy (and maybe not possible, this year), it should be noted the Rockies have developed a nice crop of pitchers to supplement what has always been a potent lineup. So here’s a well-deserved hat tip to the Rockies, who seem to have something cooking Denver.

Biggest drop: The Astros dropped five spots, from eight to 13. After enjoying more than six weeks of a softer part of their schedule, they began a long stretch of series against above-.500 teams, and well, so far, it’s not going so well. They dropped two of three to the Yankees before being swept in Detroit. And it’s not going to get easier for a while. They are currently hosting the Blue Jays for a four-game set, followed by three with the Rangers. After a four-game series in Minnesota, they play the Blue Jays again, followed by the Cardinals and Orioles.

Our Power Rankings Top 5:

1. Cubs

Their big deal didn’t come at the …

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