What happened: A tight American League postseason picture heading into the trade deadline leaves a cluster of teams within striking distance of a wild-card berth. That congestion complicates front-office decisions on whether to buy, sell, or stand pat.

Why it matters: When more clubs still believe they are in contention, fewer sellers emerge, thinning the supply of available talent and pushing up the cost of acquiring it. A logjam can freeze the market or trigger a late scramble as teams weigh their playoff odds against longer-term value.

What to watch: Watch which fringe contenders declare themselves buyers or sellers as the deadline nears, and how a few pivotal series tip borderline teams one way or the other.