Has there ever been a more calamitous trade-deadline collapse than the Miami Marlins’ pratfall the past two weeks?
The Marlins went from National League East contenders to almost certain trade deadline sellers over the course of a franchise-record 12-game losing streak, taking them from 52-42 and three games out of the division lead to 52-54 and the No. 8 position in the NL wild card chase. Suddenly, the hottest team in baseball – the Marlins were 26-8 from June 1 until July 9, their last win before this cold spell – could be poised to sell one of the most cherished assets on the market.
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Yes, former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, long a subject of trade conjecture until the Marlins’ hot streak, is very much back in play. That’s what made the Marlins’ 12th loss in this skid even stranger: The San Diego Padres rallied for four runs in the eighth inning, setting up Mason Miller for his 27th save. Miller, too, has been targeted as potential trade fodder with the Padres slipping from contention.
But a weekend with the Marlins vaulted them ahead of Miami – not just in the NL standings but USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings. Miami has tumbled nine spots to No. 18 – and who knows how far it may fall once the deadline is done.
A look at our updated rankings:
Sandy Alcantara won the NL Cy Young in 2022.
Once again winning with such numbing regularity they can take their sweet time with Shohei Ohtani, Pitcher.
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Bryan “The Outmaker” Baker has converted 17 consecutive save chances, allowing just one run.
Not sure trade deadline can change their apparent fate as second place finisher/No. 1 wild card.
After seven-run, three-homer debacle, Jameson Taillon’s ERA is 5.92 and rotation spot in question.
Very quietly, their run differential is -18.
What a bobblehead day for Munetaka Murakami as parents throw out first pitch, he hits two homers and drives in six.
With four starting pitchers on IL, trade deadline a vexing time for holders of No. 3 wild card.
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
(Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
(Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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MLB’s $200+ million contracts
$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017