However, the Padres weren’t the only team to add pieces before the deadline that will affect not only their long-term future but also their playoff chances this season. Where does each team stand after the deadline as they head into August? Our team of experts has combined to rank every team in baseball based on a combination of what we’ve seen so far and what we already know in the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Joon Lee and Alden Gonzalez to weigh in with an observation on all 30 teams. Week 16 | Second Half Preview | Ranking before the season Record: 70-33 Previous ranking: 1 The Dodgers made a failed run on Soto, took a flyer on Joey Gallo, made a modest upgrade to their bullpen in Chris Martin and didn’t add a starting pitcher, which outsiders identified as their biggest area of ​​need. It was a much more conservative approach to the deadline than Dodgers fans expected — and that’s in large part due to the players on the way back. Dustin May, nearly 15 months removed from Tommy John surgery, has looked good in his rehab outings and could make a difference for a rotation that already leads the majors in ERA. Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Danny Duffy could soon return to help bolster the bullpen. And down the road is Walker Buehler, who is a major wild card. In short: The Dodgers think they have enough at home to win it all. — Gonzales Record: 70-36 Previous ranking: 2 The Yankees made several moves to improve their roster at the deadline, adding a top pitcher in Frankie Montas and bolstering the outfield with Andrew Benintendi and Harrison Bader. In the process, the team dealt Gallo to the Dodgers, Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals, and will no longer have to rely on Aaron Hicks for as much offensive production. New York could use the extra help after struggling throughout July, going 13-13. — Lee Record: 68-38 Previous ranking: 3 Justin Verlander’s historic return from Tommy John surgery is sure to convert his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, an industry celebrity. Of course, Verlander himself had a lot to do with his recovery, which saw him return to his previous level at age 39. Entering Thursday, Verlander is 14-3 with a 1.81 ERA, his win and ERA totals both tops in the American League. At this point, Verlander appears to be in a three-pitcher race for AL Cy Young honors, joining Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan and Chicago’s Dylan Cease. The amazing Shohei Ohtani is probably in this conversation as well. If Verlander wins it, that will be the ultimate statement that he is completely back. He won the Cy Young in 2019, the year before he got hurt, and then appeared in just one game in 2020 and 2021. It’s remarkable. — Doolittle Record: 65-38 Previous ranking: 4 The Mets only added to the bullpen — upsetting more than a few fans — with a DH platoon in Darin Ruf (.886 OPS against lefties) and reliever Mychal Givens (2.66 ERA with the Cubs). Earlier, however, they had acquired outfielder Tyler Naquin and DH Dan Vogelbach. He’s under the radar, but a Vogelbach/Ruf platoon should give the Mets one of the best DH options in the National League since he’s had little production there most of the season. We’ll see if they regret not adding a lefty reliever. Oh, and they had one more addition: Jacob deGrom returned Tuesday, hitting 102 mph and allowing one run in five innings with six K against an admittedly Triple-A-level Nationals lineup. — Schoenfield Record: 60-46 Previous ranking: 7 Juan Soto is headed to San Diego in one of the biggest MLB trades ever. Here’s what you need to know about the deal. What it means for the Padres — and the rest of MLB » Padres & Nationals Scores » I’m not sure if you heard, but the Padres did pretty well for themselves at the trade deadline. It took a ton of promising young talent — most notably CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and Robert Hassell III — but the Padres secured arguably the best pure hitter since Ted Williams midway through his 23-year-old season. They had put themselves in contention on the strength of a deep, strong pitching staff, and now they’ve added Soto — and Josh Bell and Brandon Drury — to a lineup that will soon be bolstered by the return of Fernando Tatis Jr. The Dodgers may have a big cushion in the NL West, but they’re ready to put up a fight. — Gonzales Record: 63-42 Previous rank: 5 The Braves made another trade flurry at the deadline, acquiring starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Astros (for reliever Will Smith), reliever Raisel Iglesias from the Angels (for pitchers Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez), outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Tigers and infielder Ehire Andrianza from the Nationals. The biggest news, however, was that somewhat in the middle of all of this, the Braves signed Austin Riley to a 10-year, $212 million contract extension. “It’s definitely a goal for me to be here for my whole career,” Riley said. “The guys that came before me, like Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones, it’s pretty special to know that you can have that opportunity.” — Schoenfield Record: 58-46 Previous rank: 6 With the Blue Jays moving up to second in the American League East standings, one of the keys to this team moving forward will be Jose Berrios, who has a 4.96 ERA this season. Still, there’s reason for optimism with Berrios after the righty posted a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings during July, striking out 42 batters — his highest total of any month so far this season. — Lee Record: 57-46 Previous rank: 8 You have to admire the Brewers. They are willing to do what they think is right to win now and keep the window of contention open for as long as possible. The Josh Hader trade was meant for just that. Being one step ahead is a fine line to walk while trying to win at the same time, but once the dust settles, Milwaukee might not have lost so much in the pen. There have been a few cracks in Hader’s armor recently, and the Brewers thought they could replace him now. They probably would have for the foreseeable future anyway, as his salary was only going up. — Rogers Record: 55-48 Previous rank: 9 Sure, the Cards didn’t get Montas- or Luis Castillo-caliber starters at the deadline, but, like last year, they made moves on the wings that could eventually land them in first place. Jordan Montgomery and Jose Quintana fill the back-end needs, while Chris Stratton does it in the middle of the pen. But is it enough? JA Happ and Jon Lester helped the Cards get through the season after being acquired last July, but St. Louis couldn’t go deep in October. The same could be true of the roster this season. — Rogers Record: 57-49 Previous rank: 12 The Mariners surprised everyone by acquiring Castillo from the Reds, but it cost them three of their top five prospects, including shortstops Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo. Still, Castillo is under team control for another season, giving them a top starter to perhaps limit the innings of George Kirby and Logan Gilbert down the stretch, meaning the Mariners head into 2023 with six good starts. pitcher options. They didn’t add anything of note offensively, however, to a lineup that is without Julio Rodriguez for another week after picking up a wrist injury. They will get Mitch Haniger back soon, but he should make a huge impact. — Schoenfield Record: 56-48 Previous rank: 13 2 Related The Phillies made three major deals on deadline day, acquiring starter Noah Syndergaard, reliever David Robertson and center fielder Brandon Marsh, while also acquiring shortstop Edmundo Sosa a few days earlier. The Marsh trade, to capture Logan O’Hoppe, might be the most interesting. Marsh gives the Phillies their best defensive center fielder in years, though he struggled at the plate in his first full season in the majors, hitting .226/.284/.353 for the Angels. O’Hoppe, who played in the Futures Game, hit .275/.392/.496 with 15 home runs in Double-A. The Phillies gave up a good prospect, but they needed a legitimate center fielder and will hope Marsh’s bat comes around as they push for a wild-card spot. — Schoenfield Record: 55-49 Previous ranking: 11 Depth, depth, depth is the key for the rest of the Rays season. The team has 15 players on the injured list — and several of them are members of the outfield. Tampa Bay loses Vander Franco, who still ranks second on the team in WAR among position players. The offense is anchored by Yandy Diaz, who is hitting .286/.395/.398 with five homers in 93 games played so far this season. — Lee Record: 55-49 Previous rank: 10 The Twins continue to cling to a narrow lead while stumbling down the field. Minnesota has dropped 12 of 19 games dating back to July 6. During that span, the Twins have given up 5.8 runs per game, second most in the majors, and only two teams have given up more homers. Of course, the Twins are hoping the deadline signings will bolster the staff, but the guys on the roster need to step up as well. Since the start of July, the Twins’ rotation has posted a combined 6.09 ERA, with Joe Ryan besting him at 4.55. Every other starter with more than one outing has posted an ERA of 5.92 or worse since July 1st. — Doolittle Record: 54-50 Previous rank: 15 The Guardians did nothing at the trade deadline to speak of (almost literally), and on the court, Cleveland continues to be stuck in deadlock with the other contenders in its division. To keep things upbeat, let’s focus on the continued dominance of the closest…