Baseball is witnessing the most competitive balance in more than two decades. As a result, general managers of contending teams already are preparing and targeting potential trade partners for the July 31 trade deadline.
MESA, Ariz. -- It’s telling that the Chicago Cubs leapt 10 places in ESPN.com’s Future Power Rankings, jumping from 16th to sixth in only one season. Both the major-league club and farm system saw significant additions, but that won’t stop another last-place finish.
It was one of the busiest July 31 non-waiver trade deadlines in recent memory, but what about a handful of trades that did not happen but should have? These were deals that made a lot of sense, even perhaps got discussed between teams, yet never materialized.
With less than a week before baseball's July 31 trade deadline, activity has picked up considerably. With so few sellers and contenders looking to solidify their rosters for a run at the postseason, some clubs might have to think much bigger on possible trades.
Conventional wisdom approaching this year’s July 31 trade deadline said there would be more buyers than sellers. While that has indeed turned out to be the case, a couple of factors have complicated many possible trade scenarios.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino might not be attending or playing in the 2012 All-Star Game, but lots of buzz around Kauffman Stadium has centered on him. Most baseball executives believe that Victorino will be dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers or Cincinnati Reds before the July 31 trade deadline regardless of how the Phillies do after the break.
With increased parity and two wild-card berths available, there are fewer sellers this season than ever just before MLB's July 31 trade deadline. Because of that, conventional wisdom dictates it could be a slow go for teams in search of help.
With just more than six weeks before the July 31 trade deadline, the difference between buyers and sellers remains blurred. Parity and the addition of two wild-card berths has many teams on the fence about being a buyer or seller.
Life on the North Side of Chicago has not been easy for club president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer. They only recently snapped a 12-game losing streak and currently rank last in ESPN.
Editor's note: Gio Gonzalez was traded to the Washington Nationals shortly after this story was posted. With the Chicago White Sox signing John Danks to a five-year extension worth a reported $65 million on Wednesday night, and the San Diego Padres trading Mat Latos on Saturday, it lessens the number of attractive starting pitchers on the trade market.
MORE MLB COVERAGE
