What happened: ESPN's Jeff Passan released another early look at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, following up on his preview filed just four days earlier. The piece marks his fourth deadline-focused column since early June.

Why it matters: Deadline previews from a reporter with Passan's sourcing carry weight for teams gauging the market before they commit to buying or selling. The repeated coverage signals front offices are still working through asking prices with the trade deadline approaching.

What to watch: Watch for Passan's next update as contenders and sellers firm up their positions closer to the deadline.