The contenders and also-rans have already separated themselves (sorry, Angels). But will they trade?
The expansion of Major League Baseball’s playoff field from 10 teams to 12 is, from a competition perspective, a double-edged sword. When more teams are competing for playoff spots in the regular season, fewer teams are inclined to make their best players available at the trade deadline. Fewer sellers means fewer trades by contending teams. Less action at the deadline can make for a dull summer. What’s good for October is not necessarily good for July.
The addition of the third wild card team in each league this season presents a new wrinkle. Already, the value of a wild card berth was debatable. It usually fluctuates from year to year, depending on the quality of competition at the top of the standings. This year, the best teams in each league look like behemoths. Other times, a weak playoff field can motivate a possible seller to go for it in July.
Even if they could acquire the best available player at the deadline, which American League wild-card hopeful wants to sell the farm only to get fed to the New York Yankees in the Division Series round? Which NL teams want to face the New York Mets or the Dodgers? The best teams in each league are all on pace for 100 wins or more.
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