MLB Power Rankings: Week 18 Detroit Tigers Fire Sale
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Jul 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) tags out Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) at the plate during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Detroit Tigers 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The trade deadline has come and gone with many teams improving or destroying their rosters from the start of the season. Unfortunately, the Detroit Tigers fell under the destroy category and their ranking this week reflects that.
We would like readers to know that these power rankings are based on just one opinion, and the difference of opinion between readers and fans is what makes the power rankings so fun to discuss. Please let us know how we did in the comments section below.
For this week’s list, we did take into account deadline moves, but record, run differential and other human elements such as injuries were still much more important. The first four months of the season should still be much more important than a few trades.
More from Motor City Bengals
- Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
- The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
- Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
- Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
- Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?
As always just because a team is on 8-2 hot streak, they don’t automatically jump to the highest spots. It’s like my high school coach always used to say, “A team is never as good as its best win, and it’s never as bad as it’s worse loss.”
Lastly, readers should know, the rankings are serious, but the comments for each team are generally not. There are so many baseball articles analyzing the most small details on the web, we wanted to start out the week with a little fun.
Here are MCB’s MLB Power Rankings for Week 18 of the 2015 baseball season.
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown (9) and first baseman Ryan Howard (6) celebrate a victory against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
30. Philadelphia Phillies (41-65)
Yay!!! 40 wins!
Jul 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Bryan Morris (57) throws against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
29. Miami Marlins (43-62)
At least the Marlins seems to have control of one situation.
Jul 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (32) delivers a pitch against Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Jays won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
28. Colorado Rockies (44-59)
An overlooked part of the Troy Tulowitzki deal was relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, who is joining his 11th team of his major league career in Toronto.
Jul 24, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun celebrates with Carlos Gomez (27) after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
27. Milwaukee Brewers (44-62)
Maybe I can actually root for the Brewers now because Carlos Gomez is gone … nah! They still have Ryan Braun.
Jul 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman releases a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
26. Cincinnati Reds (47-56)
Do the Reds understand what rebuild means?
Jun 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington watches batting practice prior to game one of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
25. Boston Red Sox (47-59)
So the Red Sox didn’t make any moves at the deadline. Maybe GM Ben Cherington’s cell phone broke? Maybe that Patriots quarterback broke it?
Jul 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians starting starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws the ball against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning of at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
24. Cleveland Indians (48-56)
Definitely time to break out the Major League DVD.
Mar 4, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Adrian Sampson (76) throws in the bullpen during warm ups for the spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
23. Seattle Mariners (48-58)
Will the fact newly acquired pitching prospect Adrian Sampson is from the Seattle area help sell more tickets?
Jul 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (22) hits a RBI double against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
22. Oakland Athletics (47-59)
Oakland has lost eight of the last 12 games, yet they still have a plus-38 run differential.
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Williams Perez (61) in the dugout after being pulled during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
21. Atlanta Braves (47-58)
Can anyone name a player still on this team?
Jul 31, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche (25) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at U.S Cellular Field. New York won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
20. Chicago White Sox (50-53)
Adam LaRoche might be a better pitcher than he is a hitter.
Jul 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus in the dugout before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
19. Detroit Tigers (51-54)
If only the Tigers could trade away Brad Ausmus.
Jul 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a single against the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (50-53)
Apparently, the Diamondbacks inquired about Craig Kimbrel and in return, the Padres wanted Paul Goldschmidt?? What a joke.
Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) watches his new team take on the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Giants 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
17. Texas Rangers (51-53)
Cole Hamels seems happy with his new team …
Jul 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen (40) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field. Cleveland Indians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
16. Tampa Bay Rays (52-54)
Does trading Kevin Jepsen count as selling?
Apr 11, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller looks on from the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
15. San Diego Padres (51-54)
Apparently the Padres didn’t sell their team because the GM A.J. Preller still believes the team can make the playoffs … ummm … have you looked at the standings lately?
Jul 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Detroit Tigers 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
14. Baltimore Orioles (53-51)
The Orioles are my pick to earn the second Wild Card spot.
Jul 30, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Torii Hunter (48) looks on during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
13. Minnesota Twins (54-50)
Torii Hunter might have to rip off his shirt again to energize these Twins.
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) addresses the media in a post game press conference after a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
12. Toronto Blue Jays (54-52)
Can we say that the “Price” was right for the Blue Jays at the deadline? Sorry … I just had to.
Jul 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Haren (15) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
11. Chicago Cubs (57-47)
If only the Cubs traded for Dan Haren about eight years ago.
Jul 29, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores (4) dejected in the dugout during game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
10. New York Mets (55-50)
There’s no crying in baseball!
Jul 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) in the dugout after a solo home run in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
9. Los Angeles Angels (55-49)
Friendly reminder: Mike Trout is amazing.
Jul 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) falls down on a swing against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
8. Hoston Astros (60-46)
Houston traded for Carlos Gomez … guess I can’t root for them now.
Jul 31, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) heads to the dugout after being relieved during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
7. Washington Nationals (54-49)
Could this team really miss the playoffs?
Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Angel Pagan (16) reacts to being called out on strikes during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Giants 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
6. San Francisco Giants (57-47)
This isn’t supposed to be happening! It’s an odd-numbered year.
Jul 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke (33), right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) and shortstop Enrique Hernandez (14) high five after the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (60-45)
Surprising stat of the day, the Dodgers are 38-35 since May 12, and that’s after a weekend sweep over the Angels.
Jul 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
4. New York Yankees (59-45)
Will Dustin Ackley put the Yankees over the top??
Jul 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Joe Blanton (49) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-43)
Joe Blanton and Michael Morse will definitely put the Pirates over the top!! #sarcasm
Jun 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Joe Blanton (49) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kansas City Royals (62-42)
In fact, I’m not sure how the Royals are going to survive without Blanton.
Jul 31, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong (16) fields a ground ball against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
1. St. Louis Cardinals (67-38)
The Cardinals are 11-9 in their last 20 games at home. Something must be wrong. #sarcasm