Cubs top post-deadline MLB Power Rankings

The Cubs did the shopping that a World Series contender ought to do, shoring up their bullpen by adding closer Aroldis Chapman, left-hander Mike Montgomery and veteran right-hander Joe Smith. There are moral issues involved with taking on Chapman but, undeniably, the Cubs are better-equipped to win this season. 

Key Injuries: LF Kyle Schwarber (knee), LF Jorge Soler (hamstring)

The Nationals have the makings of a World Series contender, too, and brought in a new closer, Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh, moving Jonathan Papelbon into a setup role. Since the beginning of 2014, Melancon's 114 saves are the most in baseball and even though he's not overpowering, he's established that he's a reliable end-game option.
Key Injuries: RHP Joe Ross (shoulder)

In typical Giants fashion, they added another significant pitcher to the fold, getting LHP Matt Moore from the Rays. In his last nine starts for Tampa Bay, Moore had a 2.39 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, and with Matt Duffy going to the Rays, previously acquired Eduardo Nunez looks like he's going to be an everyday third basemen for the Giants.

Key Injuries: None

After a busy lead-up to the deadline, in which they acquired infielder Aaron Hill, starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz and reliever Brad Ziegler, the Red Sox brought in lefty reliever Fernando Abad, who was having a good season in Minnesota. They have the lineup, now it's a matter of whether they get the starting pitching.

Key Injuries: None

There is plenty good about the Blue Jays acquiring LHP Francisco Liriano (plus prospects) from Pittsburgh, RHP Scott Feldman from Houston and RHP Mike Bolsinger from the Dodgers, after getting RHP Joaquin Benoit from Seattle and LF Melvin Upton Jr. from San Diego, and while all those moves are reasonable and likely positive moves for Toronto, they aren't immediately better because staff ace Aaron Sanchez is going to the bullpen.
Key Injuries: None

Getting lefty reliever Andrew Miller was a difference-making move for the Tribe, and outfielder Brandon Guyer murders left-handed pitching (1.082 career OPS vs. LHP), so the Indians had some nice additions but, at the moment, losing starting pitcher Danny Salazar to the DL costs them a few spots in the rankings.
Key Injuries: LF Michael Brantley (shoulder), C Yan Gomes (shoulder), RHP Danny Salazar (elbow)

Getting RF Josh Reddick from Oakland allows the Dodgers to demote Yasiel Puig to Triple-A, presumably foreshadowing an offseason trade, and if LHP Rich Hill (11-4, 2.06 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 126 K in 105 IP over 18 starts going back to last season) can get healthy, he'll be a major addition to the pitching staff.
Key Injuries:  LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), LHP Brett Anderson (back), RHP Alex Wood (elbow), LHP Clayton Kershaw (back), LHP Rich Hill (blister)

Adding LHP Wade Miley is a modest upgrade for a bad rotation and bringing back utilityman Steve Pearce adds a reliable bat, but Baltimore's best hope going forward may be tied to Dylan Bundy, the 23-year-old who was the fourth pick in the 2011 Draft and has a 3.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 21 innings through his first four starts with the O's.
Key Injuries: None

Made a significant enough move to acquire RHP Andrew Cashner from San Diego, after previously bolstering their bullpen with Fernando Rodney, so it's a sign that the Marlins expect to contend down the stretch. They're clinging to a wild card spot now, but there are four other teams within four games.

Key Injuries: 1B Justin Bour (ankle)

The Tigers essentially sat out the trade deadline, but with seven straight wins, they're quickly to within half a game of a wild card spot in the American League.

Key Injuries: RF J.D. Martinez (elbow)

Made a big splash by getting power-hitting RF Jay Bruce, who had a career-high .875 OPS in Cincinnati, though giving up 22-year-old infielder Dilson Herrera seems like it could cause some long-term regret. Bringing back LHP Jonathon Niese from Pittsburgh isn't a huge deal, but it doesn't hurt to have another serviceable starting pitcher.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), 1B Lucas Duda (back), 3B David Wright (neck), RHP Matt Harvey (shoulder)

Bringing in veteran lefty reliever Zach Duke is pretty underwhelming, probably an indication that hopes aren't too high for the Cardinals right now, and especially now that SS Aledmys Diaz going on the DL with a broken thumb.

Key Injuries: 3B Matt Carpenter (oblique), SS Aledmys Diaz (thumb)

The Astros were content to acquire prospects, sending pitchers Scott Feldman to Toronto and Josh Fields to the Dodgers, but they have some prospects coming for the stretch run too, including 3B Alex Bregman and RHP Joe Musgrove.
Key Injuries: 3B Luis Valbuena (hamstring)

Recognizing that they are competitive, but not really contenders, the Mariners moved out reliever Michael Montgomery and starting pitcher Wade Miley for prospects, but those moves don't dramatically diminish the roster.
Key Injuries: RHP Taijuan Walker (foot)

Moved out Francisco Liriano, Jonathon Niese and Mark Melancon; brought in Ivan Nova, Drew Hutchison and Felipe Rivero so that's not terribly encouraging. Giving up a couple of quality prospects to Toronto in order to get the Blue Jays to take on next year's salary makes the deadline experience all the more disheartening for Bucs fans. Any chance that promising pitchers Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow (the latter out with shoulder soreness) can do something for them down the stretch?

Key Injuries: None

The Rockies climbed back to .500 by winning 10 of the past 12 games, but then got a punch in the stomach when finding out that star rookie SS Trevor Story is done for the season after tearing ligaments in his thumb.
Key Injuries: LF Gerardo Parra (ankle), SS Trevor Story (thumb)

Acquired outfielder Charlie Tilson in the Zach Duke trade, and the 23-year-old recorded a hit before suffering a hamstring injury in his first major-league game.
Key Injuries: CF Austin Jackson (knee), C Alex Avila (hamstring), 2B Brett Lawrie (hamstring)

It hasn't been working for the Royals this season, yet they didn't get a lot done at the deadline, picking up speedy outfielder Billy Burns from Oakland. 

Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), 3B Mike Moustakas (knee), RHP Wade Davis (forearm)

There was a lot of talk about the Phillies maybe moving Jeremy Hellickson or even Vincent Velasquez, but they are still in Philly, and the Phillies' big addition is RF Aaron Altherr, a 25-year-old outfielder who has just returned to the lineup after missing most of the season with a wrist injury.

Key Injuries: RHP Charlie Morton (hamstring)

Moving out C Jonathan Lucroy and their top two relievers, Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith, does put a few dents in the Milwaukee roster, but they've also won seven of their past nine games.
Key Injuries: RF Domingo Santana (elbow)

Always looking for future value, the Rays moved Steve Pearce to Baltimore and Brandon Guyer to Cleveland, but the big trade was sending LHP Matt Moore to San Francisco in a deal that got them 3B Matt Duffy, 
Key Injuries: RHP Alex Cobb (elbow), 3B Matt Duffy (Achilles)

Moving RF Jay Bruce was significant, but the right move for a Reds team that has struggled all year. One positive for them in the short term is the return of RHP Homer Bailey, a 30-year-old RHP who has had more success than the other fledgling pitchers in the rotation. 
Key Injuries: RHP Alfredo Simon (shoulder), C Devin Mesoraco (shoulder)

Moving CF Billy Burns to Kansas City for OF Brett Eibner was merely a precursor for the big deal, sending LHP Rich Hill and RF Josh Reddick to the Dodgers. The pitchers they received -- Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas -- are relatively close to the bigs, so the A's won't have to wait too long to get a look.

Key Injuries: RHP Chris Bassitt (elbow), RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder)
 

A trade with Minnesota to acquire pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer for Hector Santiago and Alan Busenitz doesn't move the needle much, but one positive to look forward to down the stretch is the return of Tyler Skaggs, who has been great (0.00 ERa, 0.81 WHIP) in his first two starts since 2014.
Key Injuries: LHP Andrew Heaney (forearm), LHP C.J. Wilson (elbow), RHP Huston Street (knee), 1B C.J. Cron (hand)

It would seem the Diamondbacks could have done a little more, and there were some rumours about struggling RHP Shelby Miller being on the block, but they're pushing forward with pretty much the same unsuccessful roster.
Key Injuries: CF A.J. Pollock (elbow), RHP Zack Greinke (oblique), RF David Peralta (foot), SS Nick Ahmed (hip), RHP Rubby De La Rosa (elbow)

Cuttting costs was the key for the Padres, trading Melvin Upton Jr., Matt Kemp and Andrew Cashner (among others) and they don't have a ton to show for it. RHP Jarred Cosart, from Miami, might be able to fill a starting pitching slot, but San Diego has a long way to go. 
Key Injuries: RHP Tyson Ross (shoulder), 2B Cory Spangenberg (quad), CF Jon Jay (forearm)