Pirates gain on Cardinals in MLB Power Rankings

The Cardinals have been the class of baseball up to the All-Star break, but the gap is narrowing and they may need to look for another bat, or two, for the stretch run. They're looking at a first-base platoon situation right now, with Dan Johnson and Mark Reynolds, which could be improved upon and outfield prospects Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty may be able to help boost the offence.

Key Injuries: RHP Adam Wainwright (Achilles), 1B Matt Adams (quad), LF Matt Holliday (quad), LHP Jaime Garcia (groin), CF Jon Jay (wrist)

The Dodgers' lineup is pretty sound, so the bigger concern would have to be the back end of the rotation. It's tough to match a 1-2 combination of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, and Brett Anderson and Mike Bolsinger have been effective. Is Brandon Beachy, who has returned to start his sixth game since 2012, going to hold his own.
Key Injuries:  LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder), LF Carl Crawford (oblique), RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow).

The Bucs are surging, having won eight of nine (including three of four from the Cardinals) into the All-Star break, and their pitching is already playoff-calibre. The bats, however, present an issue. With Josh Harrison hurt, they don't have the same flexibility on the left side of the infield, because Jung-Ho Kang is covering at third and shortstop Jordy Mercer's .615 OPS is tough to overcome with glove work. Same goes for right field, where Gregory Polanco has a .653 OPS with three home runs, so adding a veteran bat would figure to be Pittsburgh's top priority. 

Key Injuries: 3B Josh Harrison (thumb).

Suddenly back among contenders, leading the AL West after going 11-3 in 14 games before the break, the Angels are getting a rotation boost with the addition of LHP Andrew Heaney (1.32 ERA in four starts), but they could still use better bats in left field and DH, where Matt Joyce and C.J. Cron, respectively, aren't providing the pop necessary for those positions.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Skaggs (elbow), RHP Jered Weaver (hip).

When I was prepping my midseason awards, surprises and disappointments, I was a little surprised at just how poorly the Nationals have pitched this year, with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister all failing to meet expectations -- yet they are still nine games over .500! Covering for injuries, and other holes in the lineup, is the biggest issue for the Nats, because RF Bryce Harper is largely on his own right now.
Key Injuries: RF Jayson Werth (wrist), RHP Stephen Strasburg (oblique), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (foot), 3B Anthony Rendon (quad), .

The Royals have been rolling, and hit the break with the best record in the American League. However, they also have injury concerns in the rotation and, now, in left field. With Alex Gordon hurt and Alex Rios (.554 OPS) providing virtually nothing, the Royals could use a corner outfield bat to go along with another starting pitcher.

Key Injuries: LHP Jason Vargas (elbow), LF Alex Gordon (groin).

Stumbled into the break with six straight losses, and could definitely use some pitching upgrades if they are going to keep pace with playoff contenders. Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers and Collin McHugh are a decent trio, but another legit starting pitcher would help. As for the lineup, rookie SS Carlos Correa might be the Astros most dangerous hitter, and, otherwise, there are lots of holes in the lineup that need to be filled. 
Key Injuries: SS Jed Lowrie (thumb), RF George Springer (wrist).

The Cubs may be contending a little ahead of schedule, but they have the pitching to keep pace. The challenge is how to resolve some offensive issues. In the long run, 2B Addison Russell and RF Jorge Soler are going to be fixtures in the lineup, but their performance isn't providing immediate help for a push to the postseason.

Key Injuries: None.

What do you get the team that has great pitching an no offence? Bats! At the very least, adding an outfielder that can hit would offer some insurance for LF Michael Cuddyer, who has struggled at the plate and is dealing with a lingering knee issue.
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), 3B David Wright (hamstring), C Travis d'Arnaud (elbow), RHP Steven Matz (lat).

The usual refrain for the Giants is that they have needed to upgrade their offence in order to support the pitching staff, but hasn't been an issue this year and, so long as 2B Joe Panik and 3B Matt Duffy continue to hit the way they have, the Giants are probably okay, though they are giving 1B Brandon Belt more reps in left field, leaving C Buster Posey to play more at first and prospect Andrew Susac to get more action behind the plate.

Key Injuries: LF Norichika Aoki (fibula), RHP Tim Hudson (shoulder), RHP Tim Lincecum (forearm).

A slump before the break dropped the Jays below .500, but is there really any reason for the team with the second-best run differential in baseball to think of anything other than upgrading their pitching staff? It doesn't have to be for a rental, but with Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Daniel Norris and Jeff Hoffman all potential starters in the not-too-distant future, one could be part of a package for a pitcher that could make a difference this season.   
Key Injuries: RHP Marcus Stroman (knee), LF Michael Saunders (knee), RHP Aaron Sanchez (lat).

The Orioles are in the middle of the American League East, and could probably use both a starting pitcher and a left fielder if they are going to stay competitive. 
Key Injuries: None.

The Tigers were expected to contend, but now that they're sitting at .500, with their best player on the DL, it's conceivable that they could be sellers before the July 31 deadline. Could LHP David Price or LF Yoenis Cespedes be available if the Tigers decide to wave the white flag?

Key Injuries: RHP Joe Nathan (elbow), 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf).

The Indians have enough pitching to think that they might be able to scrape back into the playoff mix, but probably need some lineup upgrades in order to get there. Third base, centre field and DH are all areas of need, and they could use a retun to previous form from C Yan Gomes and 1B Carlos Santana.
Key Injuries: RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow).

After last season's collapse, it would be understandable if the A's were hesitant to swing deadline deals, especially to acquire talent, but they're a better team than their record indicates, so a power bat for first base or left field could give them a chance to contend for a playoff spot.

Key Injuries: RHP A.J. Griffin (elbow), RHP Jarrod Parker (elbow), RHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder).
 

The Diamondbacks have been reasonably competitive, but hanging just below .500 is not good enough to go acquiring players for the stretch drive. The D-backs don't have much by way of pending free agents (a few relievers, mostly), and probably can't drum up a market for 2B Aaron Hill, their highest-paid player who has a .595 OPS. 
Key Injuries: C Tuffy Gosewisch (knee), RHP Archie Bradley (shoulder), LF Ender Inciarte (hamstring).

The Sox have no right to think they are contenders, but they are six games out of a Wild Card spot and, with glaring pitching needs, could always be a suitor for one of the better available starters. If they can't gain any ground, though, maybe they could find a taker for the expiring contracts of 1B Mike Napoli, RF Shane Victorino or RHP Justin Masterson.

Key Injuries: C Christian Vazquez (elbow), 2B Dustin Pedroia (hamstring), RHP Clay Buchholz (forearm).

Miles out of the NL Central race, the Reds may be the most compelling team to watch as the deadline approaches because they are an also-ran with attractive trade chips. Ace starter Johnny Cueto and closer Aroldis Chapman are the blue chippers, but RHP Mike Leake, LF Marlon Byrd and RF Jay Bruce are all candidates to be moved. 
Key Injuries: RHP Homer Bailey (elbow), SS Zack Cozart (knee), C Devin Mesoraco (hip).

To the surprise of no one, the Padres have fallen off the pace in the NL West, but now the challenge is what management will do to set their roster for the future. LF Justin Upton is a big ticket item headed for free agency, as are OF Will Venable and RHP Ian Kennedy.
Key Injuries: LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder), CF Wil Myers (wrist), 2B Cory Spangenberg (knee).

The Brewers got off to such brutal start -- 5-18 out of the gate -- that they never had a shot in the NL Central this season, so they have some pieces that could draw trade interest, including 3B Aramis Ramirez, OF Gerardo Parra and RHP Kyle Lohse. 
Key Injuries: LF Khris Davis (knee), RHP Matt Garza (shoulder), RHP Wily Peralta (oblique).

The Marlins probably had higher hopes for this season, but given where they are in the standings, and that Giancarlo Stanton is on the DL, Miami will be a popular trade target. Starting pitchers Dan Haren, Mat Latos and David Phelps are all candidates to be moved. 
Key Injuries: RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), RF Giancarlo Stanton (wrist), 3B Martin Prado (shoulder).

Even if they've come on a bit lately, going 9-3 in a dozen games before the All-Star break, the White Sox are likely sellers and have one of the top trade commodities, with RHP Jeff Samardzija.
Key Injuries: None.

The Rockies are out of contention, and also don't have great pieces to trade. LHP Jorge De La Rosa, maybe, if a team would be willing to take on next year's salary, or arbitration-eligible C Wilin Rosario, who has been a part-timer this season.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Chatwood (elbow), RHP Adam Ottavino (triceps), 1B Justin Morneau (concussion), LF Corey Dickerson (foot), RHP Jordan Lyles (toe).