The (mathematically inaccurate) second half is underway and the trade deadline is only 10 days away. Pencils must be down at 6 p.m. ET next Thursday, July 31. Trade chatter and activity will pick up now that the amateur draft is in the rearview mirror and front offices can focus their attention on the deadline.

After vowing to steer clear of splashy midseason moves, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now doing the opposite—aggressively exploring high-leverage