Post-Trade Deadline 2019 MLB Season Prediction

The Trade Deadline came to a close just one week ago. Now all contending teams have gathered the pieces they believe they need to make a deep Postseason run, and non-contending teams have acquired prospects they believe could help them make a deep Postseason run in the next few years. Having now had a week to seen how these new players have fit into their clubs, here's my post-Trade Deadline MLB season prediction.

Z=Clinched Homefield, Y=Clinched Division, X=Clinched Wildcard.

*National League

-NL Central

1) Chicago Cubs, 90-72. (Y)

-The Cubs are currently deadlocked with the Cardinals for control of the NL Central. This race may very well come down to is pitching, and in that case the Cubs have a slight edge over the Cardinals in that regard. Adding Craig Kimbrel, Derek Holland, and David Phelps may turn out to be vital down the stretch.

2) St. Louis Cardinals, 89-73. (X)

-The Cardinals have played really hot ball the last month or so. Their starting pitching staff may not be the greatest, but yet they keep winning, thanks in large part to Offseason addition Paul Goldschmidt. Despite being tied for the NL Central lead and in position for the top wildcard spot, the Cardinals remained rather dormant at the Trade deadline. Don't be surprised if that comes back to hurt the Cardinals. I think the Cardinals will barely miss out on winning the NL Central title, but end up hosting the NL Wildcard matchup.

3) Milwaukee Brewers, 84-78.

-The Brewers are as talented as any team in the league offensively, but they do struggle in the pitching department. Their only significant moves at the Trade deadline were Jordan Lyles from the Pirates and Drew Pomeranz from the Giants. While both are quality additions, neither are the kind of guys that will put the team over the top.

4) Cincinnati Reds, 78-84.

-The Reds were big sellers at the deadline, shipping off Outfielder Yasiel Puig, starter Tanner Roark, and Second baseman Scooter Gennett. While those moves seem like they would cost the Reds a lot of wins, I don't think they will. The Reds have good young position players to fill the void left by the subtractions of Gennett and Puig, and adding Trevor Bauer to their rotation actually gives them an upgrade over Tanner Roark. The Reds are a bit of a wild, inconsistent team, but they have shown potential at stretches throughout the season. Right now the Reds have currently won 8 out of their last 11 and sit 4.5 games out of the Wildcard. It's possible that this team could sneak into the Postseason, but it will take the level of consistency they've had over the last 11 games to make it happen.

5) Pittsburgh Pirates, 70-92.

-Odd year for the Pirates, after getting off to a hot start the Pirates have absolutely collapsed. Their rotation went from one of the MLB's best to rather pedestrian seemingly overnight. The Pirates stand virtually no chance of making the Postseason this year, sitting 11 games out of the Wildcard. The Pirates should've been much bigger sellers at the deadline then they were, and that could hurt them in the near future.

-NL East

1) Atlanta Braves, 97-65. (Y)

-The Braves have followed up an impressive 2018 season with an even more impressive 2019 campaign. The Braves young offense stacks up with any in the MLB, their rotation has received a boost from young guys like Mike Soroka and Max Fried, and their below-average bullpen just got a whole lot better at the Trade Deadline. Adding Chris Martin, Mark Melancon, and all-star Closer Shane Greene at the Deadline should pay off heavily for the Braves. The Braves are a serious World Series contender this year.

2) Washington Nationals, 85-77. (X)

-The Nationals are currently in possession of the second NL Wildcard spot, and with a rotation as good as any in the MLB you'd think they have a pretty good shot of keeping their spot. However, their ace Max Scherzer is currently on the 10-day IL. While it may seem like a huge deal, the Nationals bullpen is rather lackluster, even after adding Roeinas Elias and Hunter Strickland at the Deadline. If the Nationals starters are not able to put in reliable innings they will be turning it over to a sketchy bullpen that could cost them games. I like the direction the Nationals are heading in still, and I think they'll sneak into that second Wildcard spot by one game.

2) Philadelphia Phillies, 84-78.

-I can't help but feel like this has been a somewhat disappointing year for the Phillies. A team that was looked on as a Division/World Series favorite by many has spent a good portion of the last month or so sitting outside the Postseason picture. Yet they've battled and currently hold the second Wildcard spot. My issue with the Phillies down the stretch is their rotation. I think they shouldn't have played it so safe at the Deadline, and instead chased after a bigger rotation piece than Jason Vargas. We'll see if their current rotation can carry them to the Postseason.

4) New York Mets, 82-80.

-The Mets were a curious case at the Deadline. At first it was rumored that they were going to sell, it looked like Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Edwin Diaz were all on the market. So what did the Mets do? They bought, trading for Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman. While Stroman does solidify the Mets as having maybe the MLB's best rotation, it still doesn't solve the problems they have in the bullpen or offensively. They're currently 1.5 games out of the Wildcard so it's definitely possible for the Mets to sneak into the Postseason, but it'll take the best effort they can get from their pitching staff.

5) Miami Marlins, 65-97.

-The Marlins flat out suck. Their seasons really been a lost cause from the start, but it was always sort of expected to be like that anyway. At this point for the Marlins it's all about stock piling high draft picks, and developing the young talent they have in both the Majors and the Minors.

-NL West

1) Los Angeles Dodgers, 104-58. (Z)

-The Dodgers are currently the best team in baseball. They have a complete rotation, solid bullpen, and one of the MLB's best lineups. It's hard to find a serious flaw in the Dodgers. They were looking for some bullpen help at the Deadline but never really got any. Still it wouldn't be surprising to see the Dodgers go on to there third straight World Series.

2) San Francisco Giants, 80-82.

-At the beginning of the season it looked like all hope was lost for the Giants. Then all of the sudden, they turned on the jets and started winning some games. Now they currently sit 3.5 games out of the final Wildcard spot, with a good rotation and maybe the MLB's best bullpen (even after trading away Sam Dyson and Mark Melancon). The Giants outfield is a liability, but that still hasn't really slowed them down. I won't predict it happening, but the Giants may just have some magic up their sleeve for manager Bruce Bochy's final ride!

3) San Diego Padres, 75-87.

-The Padres have enjoyed a pretty decent season, and are about right where I'd expect them to be at this point. Their 6.5 games out of the Wildcard race, and really I never expected them to make the Postseason to begin with. Watch out though, these young Padres should be making noise in the next few years.

4) Colorado Rockies, 75-87.

-This has been a disappointing season for the winner of last year's NL Wildcard matchup. The Rockies have one of the MLB's best lineups, but their pitching is below average, both in the rotation and the bullpen. The Rockies aren't Postseason threats this season, and depending on how they handle this Offseason they may not be for a few more years. All eyes turn to Charlie Blackmon at this point.

5) Arizona Diamondbacks, 74-88.

-The Diamondbacks are currently .500, within 2.5 games of the final NL wildcard spot, and yet they decided to sell at the Deadline. This may have been the right decision for the team long-term though. Trading Zack Greinke to the Astros freed up a lot of money for the team, and landed them three very solid prospects. The Diamondbacks may struggle the rest of this season, but their future may be saved because of this Greinke trade.

*American League

-AL Central

Minnesota Twins, 93-69. (Y)

-The Twins have surprised me this entire year. They're currently 70-43, and lead the AL Central by 3.5 games. Their lineup is a top 10 type lineup, and their bullpen got the help it needed at the deadline by acquiring Sergio Romo and Sam Dyson. I'm a little skeptical about Twins rotation down the stretch but I think the Twins can still pull out an AL Central title this year.

2) Cleveland Indians, 92-70. (X)

-At one point the Indiand were more than 10 games behind the Twins, but little-by-little they've chipped away at the Twins lead, now only trailing them by 3.5 games. The Indians have controlled the AL Central for three straight years now and if they wish to make it four straight it'll come right down to the wire. The Indians strong additions in the Outfield, Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes, may become critical down the stretch. I'll say the Indians give the Twins a run for their money but fall just short of an AL Central title.

3) Chicago White Sox, 73-89.

-The White Sox have a really young team and with that comes growing pains. One bright spot this year has certainly been Starter Lucas Giolito who's currently posting a stat line of 12-5 with a 3.44 era, and 158 strikeouts. In a bit of a surprise move the White Sox opted not to sell at the Deadline and instead decided to hold onto the older talent they have. The White Sox will hope that the young talent and experienced players they held onto can help guide them to the Playoffs in 2020.

4) Kansas City Royals, 59-103.

-There's really not a whole lot to say about the Royals. I feel as if any possible excitement surrounding this team was before the season even started, when they lost Catcher Salvador Perez for the season with a UCL injury. The Royals weren't very active at the Deadline but that's in large part to the fact they don't have many quality pieces to sell. The best strategy for the Royals right now is to keep losing and stockpiling high draft picks.

5) Detroit Tigers, 49-113.

-The Tigers are the worst team in the MLB this season so far. After trading their best players in Shane Greene and Nicholas Castellanos, don't expect things to get any better for the Tigers in 2019. Hopefully their good farm system will help them turn things around in the next few years.

-AL East

1) New York Yankees, 103-59. (Y)

-The Yankees have enjoyed a pretty good season despite being decimated by injuries at points. This winning is due in large part to their lineup, even with Gincarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, and Luke Voit out, they've managed to put up solid run production. If the Yankees can get their bats healthy and get ace Luis Severino back at some point, they look destined for a deep Postseason run.

2) Tampa Bay Rays, 90-72. (X)

-The Rays have enjoyed a great 2019 campaign in which they've been in the Postseason picture practically all year. They lead their division for awhile at the beginning of the season, but since then the Yankees caught fire and the Rays now trail them by 9 games. Losing Blake Snell down the stretch could prove to be the downfall of this team. Despite his loss the team still seems to grind out wins. If the Rays windup making the Postseason Snell should be ready to return.

3) Boston Red Sox, 88-74.

-This season has panned out to be extremely disappointing for the Red Sox. They're currently 6.5 games back in the Wildcard race, and 15.5 games back in the AL East race. One big mistake I think the Red Sox made in the Offseason was not bringing Craig Kimbrel back. To top it off, they didn't try to get any bullpen help at the Trade Deadline. This team has enough talent to potentially sneak into the Wildcard, but they're in serious danger as we speak.

4) Toronto Blue Jays, 65-97.

-The Blue Jays really didn't stand a chance before the season even started. After selling off quality pieces in starters Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, relievers Joe Biagini and Daniel Hudson, and Center fielder Kevin Pillar. But if any Blue Jays fan needs optimism, look no further than 19-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's currently putting up a statline of .274/13 HR's/49 RBI's in 84 games. Guerrero figures to be the centerpiece of this organization for the next 10+ years.

5) Baltimore Orioles, 54-108.

-The Orioles have it brutal. Their current team has little talent and their farm system isn't that strong. It's hard to keep up in such a tough division when you don't have enough talent to sell and are not in any position to buy. The Orioles only logical strategy is to keep losing in order to pick high in the upcoming year's drafts.

-AL West

1) Houston Astros, 107-55. (Z)

-The Astros may actually have the MLB's most complete team when healthy. They have a solid lineup 1-9, their rotation is outstanding, and their bullpen is deep. Adding Zack Grienke at the Deadline was a huge surprise move that may pay dividends for the Astros down the stretch. It's hard to see the Astros doing anything but playing incredibly well the rest of the season. They're certainly in play to become the best team in the American League.

2) Oakland Athletics, 89-73.

-The Athletics have one of the most solid lineups in baseball, and their bullpen is also very good. The only problem with this team is their rotation. Adding Tanner Roark at the Deadline could help, but it's not the sort of move that will push the Athletics to be a World Series contender. Though they should be in the Wildcard hunt for the rest of the season.

3) Texas Rangers, 78-84.

-The Rangers have been the most surprising team to me this season, hanging in the Wildcard race all season when I had predicted them to lose __ games at the beginning of the year. Starting pitcher Mike Minor and Veteran hitter Hunter Pence have been pleasant surprises for the Rangers this year. There's a decent amount of talent on this roster, but I'm not sure they have the firepower it actually takes to make the Postseason.

4) Los Angeles Angels, 76-86.

-It's a shame that the Angels don't do enough to put a World Series type team around Mike Trout. Their rotation is full of young, unproven guys, their bullpen isn't deep or that good, and they've been decimated by injuries all season. Hopefully this Offseason the Angels will try and find the right pieces to build a winner around Mike Trout.

5) Seattle Mariners, 66-96.

-The Mariners got off to a decent start this season, going 18-14 in the first month. Since then it's all gone downhill. This team has simply stopped performing, and the lack of talent on this team has shown. They don't have many good pieces to sell either, so it's hard to see the Mariners doing anything special in the next few years.

*Wildcard games

-NL

Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals // Nationals win 2-1

-AL

Tampa Bay Rays @ Cleveland Indians // Rays win 4-3

*Division Series

-NL

(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (4) Washington Nationals // Dodgers win series 3-1

(2) Atlanta Braves vs. (3) Chicago Cubs // Braves win series 3-2

-AL

(1) Houston Astros vs. (4) Tampa Bay Rays // Astros win series 3-1

(2) New York Yankees vs. (3) Minnesota Twins // Yankees win series 3-0

*Championship Series

-NL

(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (2) Atlanta Braves // Dodgers win series 4-2

-AL

(1) Houston Astros vs. (2) New York Yankees // Astros win series 4-2

*World Series

Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers // Astros win series 4-1