Where do the San Diego Padres rank among the rest of baseball as the trade deadline comes and goes? We take a look at the most credible lists.
It was another consistent week for the San Diego Padres. Even though they dropped the first two games of the homestand to the New York Mets, they recovered and earned the split by taking the last two. The, this weekend, the club continued their roll by slowing the red hot Pittsburgh Pirates. The series victory gave San Diego a winning homestand so far and allows them to lead the last place Giants comfortably.
Of course, this week’s action was overshadowed by the trade deadline. The Padres made one move with the Royals, but were quiet besides this major six player deal. Still, the action continued, and the power rankings must carry on. Here’s this week’s update.
ESPN: 26th
Finally, ESPN realizes that the Padres are actually playing some good baseball. This week, they passed the Reds and White Sox on this list. Still a lot of work to do obviously, as the fifth worst ranking is nothing to be proud of. But at least ESPN is taking notice of the young Friars, and since they’re usually among the harshest to San Diego, moving up on this list means a lot.
"The Padres had a great July, led by some big hitting from Cory Spangenberg and Manuel Margot. But slugger Wil Myers has had a disappointing season relative to what was expected from him, and the Padres are stuck in one of MLB’s best divisions. San Diego has the youngest lineup in baseball, so at least the kids are getting a chance to play as part of general manager A.J. Preller’s rebuilding effort."
FanRag Sports: 26th
This list looks strangely similar to ESPN’s. But it’s good that David Brown and FanRag Sports finally realized that run differential isn’t everything. On the contrary, the fact that the Padres are worst in run differential but only fifth worst as far as record is concerned says a lot. Maybe.
"They’re 19-13 since June 20, so even though their run differential remains the worst, it might not be for long. Giants closing fast."
Related Story: Week #16 power rankings update
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USA Today: 26th
The third consecutive list giving the same ranking to the Padres, and placing the same four teams below them. At this point in the season, it’s possible that even the worst teams in baseball are beginning the separate themselves. Lucky for us, the Friars aren’t the worst.
Bleacher Report: 23rd
But wait, there’s always our friends at Bleacher Report. Somehow, we always let them have the last word on our updates, and they always deliver an optimistic perspective. Realistic? That’s up to interpretation. But this list has always been the most generous of these four to the Friars, and that continues this week.
Next: San Diego Padres: Week #17 recap
The 47-58 Padres continue their quest to work their way up the power rankings this week as they host the Twins for just two games and travel to PNC Park to face the Pirates again this weekend.