This year's MLB trade deadline has the potential to produce earth-shattering deals or yawn-inducing whimpers.
A bizarrely uncertain market creates a path for middling teams to sneak into the postseason. It also, however, reduces the probability of those clubs making a significant run behind a select few juggernauts.
Around 20 teams could talk themselves into making a playoff push. That could amplify next week's trade activity, or it could lead to Madison Bumgarner, Trevor Bauer, Yasiel Puig, Kirby Yates and Mike Minor all staying put.
This trade deadline could make up for quality in quantity, so the following speculated deals may feel underwhelming compared to past blockbuster in-season acquisitions such as Justin Verlander and Manny Machado.