Every serious contender is likely to add pitching before the July 31 trade deadline, because every team could use a rotation or bullpen upgrade and there is likely to be a voluminous stock of arms available.
But the position player market is much more specialized, with a lot of contenders often bypassing an available star because they don't have a need at that particular spot. Which brings us to the very complicated circumstances surrounding the summer's best trade piece: Rockies shortstop Trevor Story.
He hasn't received the media attention of other shortstops, like the Cubs' Javier Baez or the Astros' Carlos Correa. But there is wide consensus among evaluators in the sport that Story is one of the game's best players, and he's headed for a huge payday in free agency next winter.
"I love me some Trevor Story," said one longtime scout. "Love everything about him -- his defense, his power, the way he plays. Everything."
During the offseason, former Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich informed interested teams that the Rockies' ownership would not approve a trade of Story. Rather, the organization's overriding hope was to keep Story and build around him, after trading Nolan Arenado (to the Cardinals, as it turned out). But there is no long-term deal in place with Story, and it's considered a fait accompli that at some point, interim GM Bill Schmidt will get the approval to move Story.
But where?