With the additional wild card teams, more clubs will believe themselves to be "in the race" for the playoffs by the time the July trade deadline.
There are also teams that used to be considered "sellers" because they are traditionally non-playoff contenders, who are near the top of their divisions. The Indians, Nationals, Orioles, Marlins, Blue Jays and Rays may believe they have a shot at a wild card. At best, they may be marginal, specialist buyers.
That leaves fewer "sellers" come July. Or does it. The Twins, Cubs, Padres and Astros are the four horsemen of mediocrity this season. Each club may have one or two players a team would want or need for the stretch run. But most general managers today are not willing to overpay for veterans, or rent-a-players (those who are free agents at the end of the season).
The reason is simple. With the new draft signing slots, draft prospects are more valuable. Teams dod not have to overpay to sign draft choices. Contending teams are not going to mortgage their future (with three prospects) for one veteran player who may or may not put them over the top.
The rash of injuries to starting pitching in Texas and Philadelphia complicates things. The Rangers are to sign FA Roy Oswalt was insurance, and the Phillies are apparently going to replace Halladay internally. The Phils are so injury prone that they will not be buyers this season; they may write off this campaign as bad luck and look forward to 2013. The Rangers signaled to the world that they were "all in" this season by breaking the budget to sign Yu Darvish. But it is doubtful the Rangers have any more salary space to accommodate a veteran trade.
Second tier teams used to sell of their veterans to re-stock their systems with cheaper and younger talent. However, since the Rays and Marlins have been successful in developing and playing prospects at a young age (and winning), teams are more willing today to keep and promote their talent.
