What happened: MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that, beyond the market for the sport's top available starter, a cluster of National League clubs caught between contention and retooling will steer the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Morosi notes each of those teams carries a legitimate case to either buy or sell, and he cautions that the deadline is still weeks away.

Why it matters: With more than six weeks until Aug. 3, the NL race remains tight enough that several front offices have not locked into a direction. Which way those teams break — toward adding or subtracting — will help set the market for contenders across both leagues.

What to watch: Watch for which clubs tip their hand as buyers or sellers as the Aug. 3 deadline nears.