Phillies Drop in ESPN’s Post-Deadline Power Rankings

The MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone, and many think the Phillies have improved their team to make a push towards the MLB playoffs.

The Phillies made a couple of deals before the deadline, adding to their offense by acquiring Asdrubel Cabrera in a pre-trade deadline move, then adding catcher Wilson Ramas, and lefty pitcher Aaron Loup to shore up the team’s bullpen on deadline day.

But how did their midseason moves change where they rank among the rest of MLB?

According to ESPN, not much at all, as the Phillies found themselves at the No. 11 spot, one place lower than they they were before the trade deadline.

The Phillies shored up their infield with the acquisition of Asdrubal Cabrera, then added lefty Aaron Loup and catcher Wilson Ramos as well. Ramos' impact remains to be seen, as he's currently sidelined with hamstring tightness, but the move should pay dividends. Prior to the injury, Ramos was hitting .297 with 14 home runs and an .834 OPS. If he gets healthy, he'll get the chance to play in the postseason for the second time in his career -- he played in the 2014 NLDS for the Nationals. In his best year, 2016, he got hurt right before the playoffs and wasn't able to participate.

The Phillies added some pop to their offense, along with some depth to their thin bench.

Cabrera provides immediate pop to the middle of the order, that has paid-off almost right-away. Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer during Saturday's win over the Marlins and then hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to lead the Phillies past the Marlins on Sunday.

Ramos should provide even more power when he is ready to return to the line-up.  The All-Star catcher, was hitting 297 with 14 homers and 53 RBI over 78 games with Tampa Bay before suffering a hamstring injury that has him sidelined since July 14.

Loup gives the Phillies lefty that can strike guys out, registering 42 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched this season.

Despite the Phillies being 1.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East prior to Monday’s action, the Braves ranked 10th in the power rankings, something Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins took notice of.