What happened: ESPN's Jeff Passan published an early preview of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, laying out the broad landscape front offices are working through as the summer market approaches. The piece marks the same early deadline preview Passan filed earlier this month, expanded with fresh reporting.

Why it matters: Passan's deadline notes have become a recurring checkpoint for how front offices are framing the buyer-seller line this summer, and an early preview gives clubs and fans a first marker before the market firms up in the coming weeks.

What to watch: Watch for the picture to sharpen as more front offices declare their direction ahead of the deadline.