MLB Power Rankings Week 18: Who got most help from the deadline? - ESPN

The MLB trade deadline is in the rearview mirror — and a number of teams look fairly different because of it.

Two of our top-10 teams — the Dodgers and Padres — went for it at the deadline and were considered two of the biggest winners once 6 p.m. ET Tuesday passed. San Diego, specifically, saw a big boost, going from No. 13 to seventh, its highest ranking on the season. Meanwhile, the Guardians have continued their roll to debut at No. 2, surpassing the likes of the Dodgers, Yankees and Orioles.

Which contenders got the biggest boost from the deadline and moved up our list? And which clubs didn't do themselves any favors?

Our expert panel has combined to rank every team based on a combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.

Week 17 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings

Record: 65-43
Previous ranking: 1

As expected, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made some moves to improve the overall depth. He paid a steep price to acquire rental closer Carlos Estevez from the Angels, but Estevez has been outstanding and is riding a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless appearances, including his Phillies debut, in which he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth against the Yankees. The Phillies also added Austin Hays from the Orioles for Seranthony Dominguez, giving them an additional outfielder, acquired lefty reliever Tanner Banks from the White Sox and shipped reliever Gregory Soto to the Orioles in a separate deal that sent back a couple minor league pitchers to Philly. —