2026 MLB Power Rankings: Week 15 Update

It’s almost deadline day. Which should jumble next Saturday’s rankings.

Certain teams believe their buyers and will ill-advisedly add. (I’m looking at you, Minnesota.) Certain teams who are on the cusp may swing for the fences and be rewarded. (I’m looking at you, Pirates.)

Then there are the sellers, who will look to sell off pieces in hopes of a brighter future. There aren’t a lot of those clubs, mostly due to the third wild card and mediocre American League, but the few who are sailing into the sunset have intriguing pieces. Those clubs would be the Giants, Athletics, and Mets, all clubs that hold major league talent that could decide fates in October.

We already saw the Mets trade A.J. Minter to the Twins, and Freddy Peralta was scratched from his Friday start due to interest from buyers. Monday, August 3 is shaping up to be an exciting day.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

1. Dodgers

Will the Dodgers get Tarik Skubal? That’s what all the rave has been about.

The lefty is on the market and has stated that the Dodgers are a preferred spot. And the Dodgers could use another starter heading into the postseason.

Right now their playoff rotation is Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.72 ERA), Justin Wrobleski (2.84 ERA), and Shohei Ohtani (1.79 ERA). Not a bad trio, but Ohtani is hurt right now and the hope is that he is ready for the mound in October. Outside the pitching, the hitting is undeniably good, and could be unstoppable if Kyle Tucker breaks out of his funk.

2. Brewers

Milwaukee. I’m begging, please add a potent bat.

The entire league has been waiting for the Brewers to go all in. The fanbase too. Right now, they have the second-best run differential in the sport and are right behind the Dodgers for the best record in the National League. But they need power.

Entering Saturday, the Brewers are last in the majors in homers. Yep, you read that right. Last. Despite having the fifth-highest OPS in the league, power matters, and if you’re hoping to string together base hits to a World Series title, well, enjoy going home early.

Luis Robert Jr. would be a great fit for this club. Buy low due to injury, and hope he stays on the field and returns to form. The Brewers have also stated interest in another Met, Luke Weaver.

3. Braves

Atlanta seems to have corrected their course. They’ve only lost one series in the second half (the Mets!) and are sitting in first place in the NL East.

The Braves are currently in the market for a starter, which would metamorphose their roster heading into the playoffs. Chris Sale has pitched to a 2.08 ERA, but outside the future Hall-of-Famer, it’s not a strong group. Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes both hold sub-four ERAs, but relying on those two to get outs against the Dodgers and Cubs is risky business.

Clay Holmes has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate, but who knows whether or not the Mets deal within the division. Skubal would be another strong addition, but the Braves wouldn’t be able to match the Dodgers prospect pool if Los Angeles decided to go all in.

4. Rays

Losing four straight to start the second half would normally be concerning. But Tampa followed with a 9-3 record and has opened a two-and-a-half-game lead over the Yankees for first place.

The Rays are yet another team in desperate need of a bat, and could use help in the outfield. The tough question is: “Who will provide the bat?”

Robert Jr. of the Mets is a strong candidate for this club. But is a team comfortable with their big splash a blink away from injury? Another bat that would fit their club is Taylor Ward, but the Orioles signed Pete Alonso in the offseason and will most likely try to add. Despite being 54-56 and a game and a half out of a third wild card.

5. Cubs

Skubal is going to get mentioned quite a bit in this article. And nobody needs him more than the Cubs.

Chicago (NL) has one of the most electric offenses in the sport. And Alex Bregman is finally starting to hit. But the real question is pitching.

The club just DFA’d Jameson Taillon after pitching to a 5.92 ERA, and David Peterson has pitched to a 5.06 ERA in five starts. Every single prospect of theirs should be available to acquire the Tigers lefty.

6. Yankees

The Yankees need to trade for a doctor at the deadline.

Seriously, the injuries keep piling up, and they’ve struggled without Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton. Even if they added another bat at the deadline, where would they put him?

The obvious name is Ryan Jeffers. The Twins catcher has dominated this season with a .935 OPS and 10 homers in 49 games, but who knows if the Twins will sell. Probably not due to their proximity to the third wild card.

Otherwise, all is good in the Bronx. They’re trailing the Rays for first place, but if they’re able to gear up for September, there’s no reason why this club won’t be the first wild card at the very least.

7. Red Sox

Boston continues to prove their 16-game win streak wasn’t a fluke. They won a series against the Athletics last week, secured a comeback win against the Dodgers Friday night, and have a healthy run differential as of Saturday.

The club that was primed to sell their top arms are now buyers, and if they can get Garrett Crochet back before October, the Sox could sneak their way to an ALCS.

A bat should be their No. 1 priority before Monday. They’ve been linked to Zach Neto, but who knows if the Angels swallow the pill and move him. They didn’t for Ohtani.

They could also use a set-up man for Aroldis Chapman. Again, maybe Weaver?

8. Phillies

Oh Philadelphia, always drama.

Bryce Harper came out and pleaded with the front office to add another bat. Don Mattingly then came to the front office’s defense and said Harper was throwing his teammates under the bus. Understandable when the GM is your son.

Still, Harper isn’t wrong by any stretch. They need an outfielder. Entering Saturday, only Brandon Marsh has an OPS+ over 100, and it’s falling fast due to his prolific start. They’ve been linked to Robert Jr., but again, would the Mets trade within the division with a club whose prospects are mid-tier?

Who knows. The only concrete thing is the Phillies sliding. They’ve won just three games since the second half begun.

9. White Sox

Let’s change colors for our Sox.

The White Sox are undeniably one of the best teams in the AL. And they’re primed to add at the deadline.

Reports are that they’re interested in Peralta. The Mets were in serious talks, but other suitors joined the discussion, and now there’s a bidding war for the former Brewer. If he does end up there, it would be a massive boost for the club. A change of scenery could be good for the righty, and would give the White Sox another arm to go into the playoffs with.

Besides that, the lineup is potent. The only position with an OPS+ significantly under 100 is at catcher. Maybe they make a bid for Hunter Goodman.

10. Diamondbacks

Nobody is talking about the Snakes. Why?

If the season ended today, they’d be in the dance, and Corbin Carroll continues to play like an MVP. Eduardo Rodriguez has also dominated quietly this season, pitching to a 2.48 ERA in 130 2/3 innings.

This club is a starter and bullpen arm short of being a serious contender. Again, someone call up the Mets and make a move for two arms.

Rest of the Field

11. Pirates
12. Rangers
13. Guardians
14. Astros
15. Mariners
16. Marlins
17. Cardinals
18. Padres
19. Tigers
20. Twins
21. Nationals
22. Orioles
23. Reds
24. Mets
25. Blue Jays
26. Royals
27. Angels
28. Giants
29. Rockies
30. Athletics