What happened: ESPN published a 2026 MLB trade deadline feature identifying the front office executives facing the most pressure as the deadline approaches. The piece frames the deadline as a referendum on decision-makers whose rosters have over- or under-performed expectations through the regular season.

Why it matters: Trade deadline decisions can define an executive's tenure, with aggressive buyers risking prospect capital and reluctant sellers risking fan and ownership backlash. For contending and rebuilding clubs alike, the choices made over the coming weeks shape both the 2026 stretch run and longer-term roster construction.

What to watch: Watch for which of the highlighted front offices act as buyers or sellers as the deadline nears, and whether the pressure cited by ESPN translates into headline moves.