Every week, the Pitcher List team will publish an update to our power rankings, highlighting three teams among the different tiers of contention. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article, but where’s the fun in that?
With Hall of Fame weekend over, and a few trades already shaking up baseball, this next week becomes a key part of the schedule. The top-heavy approach of the NL suggests that four teams may be fighting for the last wild card spot, but the Giants and Cardinals are fading fast, and with the possibility of becoming sellers, just like the Diamondbacks have already done. Arizona is highlighted today, as they appear to have waved the white flag while becoming the most interesting team around this deadline.
In the AL, things are murkier, with three clear front-runners leading the divisions, but a crowded wild card bunch that could extend to the Twins and Angels, who are basically a hot streak away from believing they have a chance. The aforementioned division leaders hold all the power, though, as they could stand pat and still run away towards the playoffs, but reinforcements would also be nice. That is especially true for the MLB-leading Blue Jays, who may not want to spoil their team chemistry, but could also benefit from a lockdown bullpen. They kick off our weekly power rankings following their scorching-hot July.
Contender
No. 2 – Toronto Blue Jays (63-43, +42)
In many ways, the Toronto Blue Jays make no sense. They may be sixth in team OPS, but also tied for 25th in stolen bases. Their pitching staff has allowed the fifth-most homers in baseball, and stands at a mediocre 18th in terms of ERA. Eleven teams boast a better run differential than their paltry +42, and yet the Blue Jays have… the best record in baseball?! That may be shocking at first glance, but for anyone who has watched this team consistently for the past six weeks, this makes perfect sense.
☀️ Good Morning from your STILL First Place In Baseball Toronto Blue Jays! #lightsupletsgo pic.twitter.com/rkmKnCC52s
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 27, 2025
Even as momentum and team chemistry are impossible to measure, it is evident that this Toronto team passes the eye test on many levels, as it seems that they are just having so much fun. Their 17-5 July started with a dismantling of the Yankees that turned the division race on its head, and now almost ended with a 3-1 series win over the Tigers, overtaking them for the best record in the AL in the process. With a 5.5 lead atop the East, Toronto has become almost a lock to return to the postseason, and now the attention turns to what the front office can do to improve at the deadline.
The offensive trio of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and Bo Bichette has been the key for this inspired run, but they have also counted on the unheralded contributions of Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Ernie Clement. A recent injury scare from the underrated Alejandro Kirk will put some pressure on adding a catcher as an insurance policy, but that is usually the hardest position to upgrade, anyway. The eventual returns of Kirk, Anthony Santander, and Daulton Varsho will certainly be enough to add to the lineup without affecting the team’s pecking order, as it would be shocking for Toronto to go for anything besides depth pieces.
Meanwhile, the pitching staff is another matter. The trio of José Berríos, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt headlines a rotation that is capable of greatness, but probably not enough to be the favorite in a short playoff series. Max Scherzer remains a wild card, along with Eric Lauer as a potential strong long relief option, but the Blue Jays could really bolster their chances by getting creative. With no frontline starters readily available via trade, having better options to mix and match through the bullpen could be the difference for this team. Closer Jeff Hoffman may have 24 saves, but he has also allowed 10 homers in 43.1 innings, while top set-up men Brendon Little and Yariel Rodríguez have combined for nearly 100 innings.
With relievers, even great ones, usually available before the deadline, it is imperative that the Blue Jays improve in this area of their roster. As the Yankees and Red Sox continue to battle inconsistency, Toronto may have built enough separation to set up a memorable season and try to finally take the next step. With Rogers Centre becoming a fortress (league-best 37-17 mark at home) and a fan base capable of becoming a force around October, the Jays should capitalize on this run in any way they can.
The Middle
No. 19 – Arizona Diamondbacks (51-55, +7)
If you take a look at Arizona’s season log, it is clear why the front office became frustrated with its team. Despite an offseason highlighted by the additions of Josh Naylor and Corbin Burnes, the Diamondbacks failed time and again to gain consistency, with plenty of stops and starts that kept them out of the bottom but also away from the top. With Burnes out for the season and the pitching never catching up to a superb offense, the franchise picked a lane and became the first prominent seller of the season.
Despite a three-game winning streak out of the break, the writing was on the wall for Arizona, a team that has now endured ten separate losing streaks of at least three games to offset whatever momentum they could have built during the season. Trading the aforementioned Naylor to the Mariners, and to a lesser extent, shipping out Randal Grichuk to the Royals, signaled that the team is open for business, albeit in a somewhat restrained mode geared for a quick retool.
Thank you and best of luck in Seattle, Josh ❤️ pic.twitter.com/USl9DZOOsf
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 25, 2025
The immediate aftermath of the sell-off was evident for the roster, as the Dbacks stumbled in a weekend series in Pittsburgh, scoring only one unearned run over 29 innings (somehow winning once!). Even the recent fade has not been enough to produce a negative run differential, as Arizona may take this season as an extreme example of bad luck and timing (for example, the Angels share the same 51-55 record despite a -68 run differential), and a sign that better things are to come if they manage to execute a successful return for their top trade pieces.
The Naylor and Grichuk trades were considered positive for Arizona, and now they have the possibility of truly deciding the fate of many postseason hopefuls. While Arizona’s rotation has been a major reason for the team’s lackluster performance, it is undeniable that many are hoping that a change of scenery and coaching will be enough to bring Zac Gallen back to ace status, or have Merrill Kelly propelled to a similar awakening. Closer Shelby Miller could also command a handsome return, and that is without mentioning Eugenio Suárez, who is largely considered the prize of this trade deadline.
Suarez, who already has a four-homer game this season, has the makings of an old-fashioned slugger who may not get on base much but hits the ball a long way when it is most needed. His 87 RBI lead the league, while he also plays a respectable third base, which is a position where several contenders have a clear need. With the Yankees fading in the AL East, the price for Suarez should continue to climb through the week, while other clubs like the Mariners and Mets will also be linked to him until a deal is finalized.
When the dealin’ is done for Arizona, they should still emerge as a solid roster heading into 2026. Even as Burnes may be unavailable for next season, Brandon Pfaadt has developed into a solid option for the rotation, with Ryne Nelson to help him out. The offense’s young core will be intact, as Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo provide an up-the-middle foundation that most franchises would envy. While the rest of the season will probably not be very fun for their fans, the D-backs are making the most of this opportunity with the hope that it all turns out better in the near future, and that is how it should be managed in a division as tough as the NL West.
Wait ’til 2026
No. 28 – Chicago White Sox (38-68, -71)
The White Sox hit rock bottom a season ago, literally becoming the worst team in baseball’s modern era in terms of wins and losses. Even as bottoming out was part of the plan for a franchise in full rebuild mode, Chicago made losing almost an art form, with a -306 run differential and little hope for the future. The 2025 season was expected to be a step in the right direction, albeit still full of losing, and it has played out mostly that way. However, even with a record that projects towards another 100-loss season, the Sox are trending in the right direction.
White Sox have gone from being the worst MLB team in MLB history last year to being young, fun and competitive this year. What a pleasant quick turnaround-not saying they’re good but I like what our front office, coaches and young guns are doing and hopeful for the future. pic.twitter.com/gwgF7r4Jzo
— Oh hai mark! (@Ohhaimark91) July 24, 2025
After a disastrous 7-23 start that was only overshadowed by the Rockies, the White Sox have gradually played better, turning from terrible into plain bad during May and June, while July finally showed glimpses of competency. This was evident in the post All-Star break stretch that saw Chicago go 6-1 while scoring 61 runs in the process, including a statement W over the rival Cubs. The team would ultimately lose the intra-city series, but the feeling was clearly different for a fan base looking for any kind of positive signs.
While Chicago’s roster still has a handful of below-average players, especially on offense, the front office and field management have done a better job at maximizing their young talent and giving players enough playing time to overcome the inevitable growing pains of playing in the majors. Veterans like Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman have helped hold the fort down, but encouraging youngsters like the catching duo of Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel, Miguel Vargas at third, and Chase Meidroth at shortstop have shown that the team has a plan. Pitching has been slower to catch up, except for the sudden emergence of 32-year-old Adrian Houser and his 2.10 ERA, though it is clear that he can be better for the team as trade deadline bait.
The upcoming trade deadline should mark an important milestone in Chicago’s path towards relevancy. Teams like the Nationals and Pirates have shown that simply having a few blue-chip players is not enough to turn things around, providing many lessons for the rebuilding class in MLB. With the likes of Houser, Luis Robert Jr., Tauchman, and Davis Martin unlikely to be part of the next good White Sox team, the front office would be better served by being aggressive and extracting as much value as possible from them. Even as this talent downgrade will represent the end of this short-lived run of success in the South Side, the fans will not mind as long as it creates a better Chicago squad for the next half-decade.
