What happened: Jeff Passan has published an early look ahead to the 2026 MLB trade deadline for ESPN, framing where the summer's buyer-and-seller market is forming. The preview lands with roughly a month of regular-season games still to play before front offices commit to their deadline direction.

Why it matters: Early deadline previews set the narrative that shapes how contenders and rebuilding clubs are valued over the next several weeks. Passan is among the most widely followed voices on MLB's transaction market, so his framing tends to anchor expectations heading into the busiest stretch of the trade calendar.

What to watch: Watch how standings and roster needs harden over the coming weeks as clubs separate into buyers and sellers ahead of the deadline.